Orontes basin

Fish referred to as G. rufa are marketed worldwide as 'doctor fish', with the questionable ability to remove dead and scaly skin and ease complaints such as psoriasis. These fish are quite commonly available in the aquarium trade as well, although in both cases it is unclear whether they represent G. rufa or another, related species.

This species has something of a confused history having been previously been considered synonymous with both A. sophiae (a separate species native to Iraq and Iran) and A. cypris (currently considered a junior synonym of A. mento). Although some populations occur close to and even sympatric with other members of the genus in Turkey phylogenetic studies have shown it to be more closely-related to the Middle Eastern species A. dispar dispar, A. d. richardsoni, A. ginaonis and A. sirhani. It's...