Source: Wikimedia Commons
Doctor Fish
IntermediateGarra rufa
A bottom-dwelling cyprinid that rasps aufwuchs from rock with a sucker-like mouth, named for its habit of nibbling dead skin from bathers in hot springs. Kept singly it turns on similarly shaped fish, so keep several.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Temperature
14〜20℃
Size
Up to 14.1cm TL
Diet
Sinking dried foods, frozen foods and vegetable matter
About
Garra rufa occurs in the Jordan, Orontes and Tigris-Euphrates basins and in coastal rivers of southern Turkey and northern Syria. FishBase records a maximum of 14.1cm TL and 15-28C, and finds it in rivers, lakes, small ponds and muddy streams, hiding among stones and vegetation and rasping aufwuchs. Populations in hot springs are recorded as feeding on the skin scales of bathers. Seriously Fish gives 120mm SL, 14-20C, pH 6.0-8.0, 1-15 dGH and a 120 x 45cm base of about 243 litres. It is intolerant of its own kind in small tanks, and a single fish will harass others of similar shape, so three or four or more are advised; once a pecking order forms within the group, other species are largely left alone. The IUCN rates it Least Concern and it is not listed by CITES.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Size of the Doctor Fish
The Doctor Fish grows to Up to 14.1cm TL.
Temperature & humidity for the Doctor Fish
The ideal temperature for the Doctor Fish is 14〜20℃.
Basic Info
Origin
Western Asia (Jordan, Orontes and Tigris-Euphrates basins)
Size
Up to 14.1cm TL
Temperature
14〜20℃
Diet
Sinking dried foods, frozen foods and vegetable matter
Care Specifications
- pH
- 6–8
- Hardness (GH)
- 1–15 dGH
- Water Temp.
- 14–20℃
- Min. Tank
- 243 L
Semi-aggressiveGroupBreeding: Hard
Sources: FishBase / Seriously Fish
References & Sources
Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team
The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.
Taxonomy & Authority
Regulations & Conservation Status
Not CITES-listedIUCN LC · Least Concern
Sources: CITES Appendices (species not listed) / IUCN Red List
Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.
Doctor Fish Listings
Loading latest listingsFind listings for this species
