Taxonomy & naming
The species was described in 2023 by Tangjitjaroen, Randall, Tongnunui, Boyd & Page. The type locality is the Kasat River, in the Zami River drainage, Kanchanaburi Province. Garra is a large genus of sucker-mouthed labeonine cyprinids, ranging from West Africa and the Middle East across South and Southeast Asia to China.
Morphology
A typical Garra: elongate, with a ventral mouth and an adhesive mental disc on the lower lip. FishBase gives a maximum of 4.5 in SL; colour has not been described in the sources the atlas uses.
Habitat
It is known from the Zami River drainage of western Thailand, and FishBase gives the range as western Thailand and southeastern Myanmar, apparently restricted to the Ataran River drainage. Specimens were collected in swift rocky riffles in the Kasat River and in Kayin State, Myanmar. Water parameters have not been published.
Feeding
Garra species are grazers. The lower lip forms an adhesive mental disc, and the fish rasp algae, diatoms and biofilm from stone with the hardened jaw edge, taking small invertebrates and detritus along with it. The diet of this species has not been described separately.
Mating
Mating has not been described for this species. Related Garra are seasonal egg-scatterers with no parental care, with ripe males carrying snout tubercles.
Breeding
Spawning has not been documented. Related Garra scatter eggs over stone and gravel and give them no care.
In the aquarium
Treat it as a hillstream fish: a long tank, strong flow, high oxygen, rounded stones and wood with algae and biofilm to graze, and a tight lid, since Garra climb and jump. Keep a group rather than a single fish, and give mixed algae wafers, sinking pellets and small live or frozen foods. Care notes come from the genus.
Conservation
No IUCN Red List assessment is known for this species, so no category is given. Population status and threats have not been described.