{"product_id":"garra-rufa","title":"Red Sidle (Garra rufa)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cb\u003eGarra rufa\u003c\/b\u003e—widely known as the \u003cb\u003eDoctor Fish\u003c\/b\u003e or Red Sidle—is a fascinating, highly active freshwater species renowned for its inquisitive nature and continuous grazing habits. Featuring an elongated body, a specialized sucker mouth, and olive-bronze coloration, these fish bring endless motion and character to a well-maintained freshwater setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNote for Beginner Aquarists:\u003c\/i\u003e While \u003ci\u003eGarra rufa\u003c\/i\u003e are hardy, they are active swimmers that require adequate tank volume, robust water movement, and pristine, highly oxygenated water. Beginners should avoid keeping them in small nano tanks and instead prepare a proper river-stream biotope layout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShort Description \u0026amp; Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eGarra rufa\u003c\/i\u003e is a robust, bottom-dwelling cyprinid that spends its day actively scouring rocks, glass, and decor for biofilm and algae. Peaceful yet boisterous, they thrive best when housed in small groups. They are not just novelty spa fish; in the home aquarium, they function as entertaining, industrious community members when provided with proper current and stable water parameters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Product Highlights:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100.058%; height: 215.417px;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 21.4933%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9694%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 21.4933%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9694%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ci\u003eGarra rufa\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 21.4933%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9694%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDoctor Fish, Red Sidle, Nibble Fish\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 21.4933%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eCare Level\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9694%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEasy to Intermediate (Requires strict water quality and high oxygen)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 21.4933%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperament\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9694%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eActive, peaceful, and mildly territorial with conspecifics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 21.4933%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eMax Adult Size\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9694%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e3 to 5 inches (7 to 14 cm)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 39.1667px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 21.4933%; height: 39.1667px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9694%; height: 39.1667px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e30 Gallons (Long footprint preferred)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 39.1667px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 21.4933%; height: 39.1667px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eDiet\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9694%; height: 39.1667px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOmnivorous Grazer (Algae wafers, biofilm, blanched vegetables, and sinking pellets)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 21.4933%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 75.9694%; height: 19.5833px;\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemp: 64°F–79°F (18°C–26°C) | pH: 6.5–7.5 | Hardness: 6–16 dGH\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetailed Beginner Care Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1. Tank Setup \u0026amp; Water Flow\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause \u003ci\u003eGarra rufa\u003c\/i\u003e originate from fast-flowing streams and headwaters, they demand a high level of dissolved oxygen and strong water movement. Beginners should equip their aquarium with a powerful filter or an additional powerhead to simulate a natural river current. Use smooth river sand or rounded pebbles for the substrate, as sharp gravel can injure their sensitive underside sucker discs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2. Social Behavior \u0026amp; Group Requirements\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eGarra rufa\u003c\/i\u003e are highly social schooling fish. Keeping a single specimen will often cause the fish to become stressed, reclusive, or overly skittish. It is strongly recommended to keep a \u003cb\u003egroup of 4 or more\u003c\/b\u003e individuals so they can establish a natural pecking order and display bold, active daytime behavior.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3. Feeding \u0026amp; Nutrition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA common beginner mistake is assuming these fish can survive entirely on existing tank algae. While they constantly graze on surfaces, they are active omnivores that require regular supplemental feeding. Provide sinking spirulina pellets, algae wafers, and occasional blanched vegetables (such as zucchini or spinach) alongside high-protein treats like brine shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Algae Eater","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57208928108884,"sku":"15163","price":6.83,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/5828\/7444\/files\/GARRARUFAM.webp?v=1789818279","url":"https:\/\/www.tropicalmarineaquatic.com\/products\/garra-rufa","provider":"Tropical Marine Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}