Edit Garra rufa
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Name
Scientific name
Garra rufa
Described by
Authority Heckel, Year 1843, Bracketed
Family
Cyprinidae
Common names
Doctor Fish
Photograph credits
All 4 credited
Summary
The doctor fish (Garra rufa) is a cyprinid from the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, from Turkey and Israel to the Tigris-Euphrates i…
Size and aquarium
Maximum size
120mm, standard length
Aquarium size
Minimum length 120 cm, Minimum depth 45 cm, Water movement High: fast-flowing river or riffle
Water
Water conditions
Temperature 14–20°C, pH 6–8
Hardness
1–15dGH
Conductivity
Not recorded
Behaviour
Temperament
Peaceful
Social needs
A shoal or group
Community suitability
Community-safe
Where it lives
Countries, regions, rivers and lakes
Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Asi, Ceyhan, Euphrates, Hormuz, Kinneret, Kor, Maharloo, Maharlu, Mond, Qweik, Seyhan, Tigris
Writing
Etymology
Garra: vernacular Gangetic name for a particular species of “sand-digger,” which Francis Buchanan-Hamilton applied as a generic name for bottom-dwelling cyprin…
Distribution
Widespread in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East regions, from the Ceyhan, Seyhan, Asi, and smaller river systems in Turkey, throughout coastal watershe…
Habitat
Tends to inhabit swiftly-flowing sections of headwaters and tributaries but also occurs in some larger, lowland river channels, and man-made reservoirs. The mo…
Aquarium size
An aquarium with base measurements of 120 ∗ 45 cm should be the minimum size considered.
Maintenance
Not difficult to keep in a well-maintained set-up, but a display arranged to resemble a flowing stream or river, with a substrate of variably-sized, water-worn…
Water conditions
Temperature: 14 – 20 °C; strictly not a tropical species and in most cases an additional heater will not be required. pH: 6.0 – 8.0 Hardness: 1 – 15 dGH
Diet
Although it will graze algae if available this species is not an exclusive herbivore. Offer meaty foods such as live or frozen chironomid larvae (bloodworm), T…
Behaviour and compatibility
Relatively peaceful and can be maintained alongside other species which require similar environmental conditions. It isn't particularly tolerant of conspecific…
Sexual dimorphism
Sexually mature females are noticeably thicker-bodied than males, while large males develop extensive tuberculated patches on the head and snout..
Reproduction
Large numbers of fish traded as Garra rufa are produced in several countries, but it is unclear exactly which populations, and therefore species, are involved …
Notes
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 ps…
References
References
10 on this profile