Garra festai

Wild caught male Garra festai

The broodstock of this Lebanese species was originally collected in the Ammiq marshes, where the species is endemic. Garra festai is strongly threatened in nature as water abstraction is a serious problem in small Ammiq marshes. A broodstock of six fishes was collected together with Michel Bariche from AUB in December 2011. After the winter they were placed in a 140 x 70 cm outdoor container full of plants where they turned out to be fractional plant spawners. Starting to spawn in June, last larvae were found in early September. In 2012, about 50 juveniles could be raised without many efforts as adults only modestly prey on their brood. Juveniles were already mature after the first winter and the year 2013 started with the original spawners and additional six pairs in a second spawning tank. In both tanks, they spawned again in early June. In early November I harvested a good number of juveniles. Since, I breed this species without problems in various tanks and juveniles could be given to several other enthusiasts who already have build up new broodstocks. This species turned out to be quite sensitive to poor water quality and much appreciates regular cleaning of the tanks, which I now do each two month between May and December by removing the mud from the bottom.

Outside tank to breed Garra festai

Parts of the broodstock and 2012 juveniles of Garra festai caught in early December 2012 in the outside tank