Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) >
Cypriniformes (Carps) >
Cyprinidae (Minnows or carps) > Labeoninae
Etymology: Garra: Name based on a vernacular Indian name (Hamilton, 1822:343, Ref. 1813)..
Environment / Climate / Range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic. Tropical; 22°C - 26°C (Ref. 2059), preferred ?
Africa: widespread with presence in East Africa, including Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya and Tanzania, as well as in Cameroon, Nigeria and Tchad (Ref. 2801, 2940, 58532, 81282, 81639). Presence in the Congo basin (Ref. 11970, 41590, 41594, 106290) not confirmed in Ref. 58532.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 11.0 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 4967)
Dorsal
spines
(total): 0;
Dorsal
soft rays
(total): 10-11;
Anal
spines: 0;
Anal
soft rays: 9. Diagnosis: Garra dembeensis is distinguished from African congeners by the following combination of features: well-developed disc; between 0 and 4 predorsal scales anterior to dorsal fin; asquamate chest, belly and postpelvic region; intestine of medium length; ad moderately sized gas bladder (Ref. 58532).
Commonly found in rapid parts of rivers and also on wave-washed rocky shores of Lake Victoria (Ref. 4903). Adheres to stones in swift water (Ref. 28714). Feeds on epilithic algae and lithophilic insects (Ref. 12526), scraped from the surface of rocks (Ref. 4903).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Lévêque, C., 1990. Cyprinidae. p. 269-361. In C. Lévêque, D. Paugy and G.G. Teugels (eds.) Faune des poissons d'eaux douces et saumâtres d'Afrique de l'Ouest. Tome I. Coll. Faune Tropicale n° XXVIII. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, and O.R.S.T.O.M., Paris, 384 p. (Ref. 2940)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 115185)
CITES (Ref. 94142)
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
More information
Common namesSynonymsMetabolismPredatorsEcotoxicologyReproductionMaturitySpawningFecundityEggsEgg development
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