[5][7] Several subspecies have been described, but their validity is questionable and in the last few decades authorities have generally not recognized them. [2][3][11][12] In 2011 the UK Health Protection Agency issued a report assigning a "very low" risk of transferring infection from the procedure. If kept singly it tends to behave more aggressively with similarly-shaped fishes so we recommend the purchase of 3-4 or more should space permit. There are usually a series of dark markings present at the base of the central dorsal-fin rays and in many cases the tip of the upper caudal-fin lobe is black. Two Garra species, G. imberba and G. micropulvinus, are placed in the Semilabeoina assemblage, and the generic name Ageneiogarra Garman, 1912 has been suggested for them, although this does not appear to have been widely followed (e.g. [8][9][10], Other members of the G. rufa complex are G. barreimiae, G. elegans, G. ghorensis, G. longipinnis, G. nana, G. persica, G. rossica and G. sahilia, but these were generally recognized as valid species many years ago. Most importantly, the water must be clean and well-oxygenated with turnover preferably in excess of 10 times per hour; additional powerheads and airstones can be employed to achieve the desired flow and oxygenation if necessary. It is also uncertain if these are bred naturally or via artificial stimulation with hormones. But epidermis-eating fish are too expensive to throw away". Most of the information I would be posting there comes from the instructional manuals and brochure that I got from Global Aquatics together with my shipments. So I would first start explaining everything in order. G. jordanica and G. turcica have entirely separate ranges from true G. rufa (thus limiting its range to the Tigris–Euphrates system and river systems in Iran), but the others do overlap in range with true G. rufa or at least occur in the same river basins. 7/14/2007, Vol. At a volume of 243 litres, the filter we recommend can be found, Other aquarium filters which have been recommended highly by customers in your area can be found, To search for other high quality aquarium heaters in your area, click. rufa: from the Latin rufus, meaning ‘red, reddish’, in reference to the reddish pigmentation on the head in some individuals. [8][10][16] It is legally protected from capture from the wild in Turkey due to concerns of overharvesting. [1][4][5] It lives in rivers, streams, canals, reservoirs, ponds and lakes, although it tends to avoid stagnant waters. [5] Since the early 21st century, this fish has been integrated into a spa treatment where they feed on the stratum corneum skin layer of patients with psoriasis. Contact Us - Ask A Question - Advertising, Click here to read about my Garra Rufa / Doctor fish thoughts and experience, Where to buy Garra Rufa , Doctor Fish and Other Information, how to clean and maintain a healthy fish tank, top ten incredibly beautfiul aquarium fishes, top ten most beautiful and colorful aquarium fishes, How To Breed Bettas / Siamese Fighting Fish, Caring For Fish Fry: Feeding, and Survival, Breeding Aquarium Fish: Tips/ Tanks and Fry, How To Set Up A ColdWater / Goldfish Tank, What To Do With Injured Fish Including Causes, Arowana ( Dragonfish) Feeding and Breeding, Types of Saltwater Fish According to Feeding, Clownfish Anemones, Care, Feeding and Breeding, Damsel Fish Care, Tankmates, Types and Breeding. We have also added the Fish Experts Questions and Answers in regards to the most common questions we receive on our email. Following Coad (2010) populations of G. rufa from Iraq and Iran can be diagnosed as follows: two pairs of barbels; modally 8 (87.1% for 534 fish, range 6-8) branched dorsal-fin rays; adhesive disc on lower head surface well-developed with free anterior margin. They also make.
Fresh fruit and vegetables such as cucumber, melon, blanched spinach or courgette can be offered occasionally and home-made, gelatine-bound recipes containing a mixture of dried fish food, puréed shellfish, fresh fruit and vegetables, are also proven to work well. This article is about the freshwater fish used for treating skin diseases. The type locality is in Syria, whereas the commerical fish originate largely from Israel and possibly Turkey. The airspace is evacuated and filled with oxygen and each bag is sealed with quadrouple bands to prevent leaks.

[7] Since Israeli and many (but not all) Turkish populations of "G. rufa" now are recognized as G. jordanica and G. turcica instead, this leads to questions over the true identity of most of the fish seen in the trade. Garra rufa là loài cá thuộc họ Cyprinidae.Chúng sống và sinh sản trong các hồ của một số hệ thống sông Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ và suối nước nóng. The Garra rufa fish themselves have been found to carry strains of several infection-causing bacteria, including Streptococcus agalactiae, which can also cause pneumonia, and others that are resistant to antibiotics. Garra rufa seen in the spa and aquarium trade mostly originate from commercial facilities in Israel and to a lesser degree Turkey. You have probably seen the same  thing in some pet shops especially if they have new deliveries and stocks. Global Aquatics Inc., in its world of unique fish breeding and expertise brings forth an exciting experience in the Garra Rufa rearing industry. Scroll down to see it, Your Ultimate Guide for All Your Aquarium Needs, Remember my visit to the spa last time? Fish are conscious animals, not mindless (and inefficient) loofahs. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T19086922A19223063.en, "Step right in – the Doctor Fish will see you now", Ban on Feet-Nibbling Fish Leaves Nail Salons on the Hook, "Piscipédicurie: inusitée, controversée et non réglementée", "What No One Told You about Those Disgusting Fish Pedicures", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Red_garra&oldid=960968632, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2016, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 5 June 2020, at 22:31. Instead a number of less-extensive works published in recent years have resulted in a gradual, but continuing, improvement in knowledge, and it remains possible that the genus will be broken up into smaller taxa since the current assemblage is almost certainly polyphyletic. The most favourable habitats contain clear, oxygen-saturated water which, allied with the sun, facilitates the development of a rich biofilm carpeting submerged surfaces. They offered me free shipping! Kottelat, 2013). Wisconsin ordered the closure of the doctor fish service shortly after its opening. It isn’t particularly tolerant of conspecifics in small aquaria, but exists in loose aggregations in the wild. Eggs are scattered over gravel or rocks and the adults do not exhibit parental care. A full generic review would be ideal but is unlikely to materialise given the extensive distribution of its members which range from southern China across much of southeast Asia, India and the Middle East as far as north/central Africa. In some cases it inhabits ephemeral habitats which become partially desiccated during certain times of year. This can be further furnished with driftwood roots or branches, and hardy aquatic plants. Temperature: 14 – 20 °C; strictly not a tropical species and in most cases an additional heater will not be required. "Garra rufa are native to the Middle East, where they have been used as a medical treatment for individuals with skin diseases, like psoriasis 1. Discognathus rufus Heckel, 1843; Discognathus obtusus Heckel, 1843; Discognathus crenulatus Heckel, 1847; Garra rufa gymnothorax Berg, 1949. Find a Garra Spa location near you! The putatively monophyletic Garraina comprises a number of genetic lineages including Garra sensu stricto (which also includes Horalabiosa, Phreatichthys and possibly other genera), a small clade comprising Garra cambodgiensis and G. fascicauda (thus rendering Garra polyphyletic), Paracrossocheilus, and Gonorhynchus (which includes Akrokolioplax). All the bottom seams are sealed to prevent fish from getting trapped in a plastic pocket. It lives in rivers, streams, canals, reservoirs, ponds and lakes, although it tends to avoid stagnant waters. As you can see the styrofoam in the left is ideal for shipping. Garra species are usually included in the subfamily Labeoninae/Cyprininae or tribe Labeonini (name varies with author) which by recent thinking is further divided into four subtribes; Labeoina, Garraina, Osteochilina, and Semilabeoina (Yang et al., 2012). You can read more about them in my post in the right side part under the ", Ok, moving on, I wanted to have my own fish spa so badly ever since that experience with the, The customer service was great and they accommodated me with my order of the fish.

Garra is a genus of fish in the family Cyprinidae.These fish are one example of the "log suckers", sucker-mouthed barbs and other cyprinids commonly kept in aquaria to keep down algae.The doctor fish of Anatolia and the Middle East belongs in this genus. All genera currently included in Garraina possess a lower lip modified to form a mental adhesive disc, allowing the fish to cling to surfaces in turbulent conditions. 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 rocks, sand, fine gravel and perhaps some small boulders, is highly recommended. [1] Some of the main systems where it is found are the Kızıl, Seyhan, Ceyhan, Orontes, Queiq, Jordan, Tigris–Euphrates, Kor, and Mond river basins, but the species also inhabits other coastal river basins in the Levant and Iran, as well as the endorheic Lake Maharlu system. Despite its ability to survive in polluted waters,[1] the species requires clean, well-oxygenated and moving waters to thrive in an aquarium. As traditionally defined (sensu lato), there are some morphological variations over its relatively large range and it has been recognized for several years that it likely was a species complex. [8][9][10] Finally the complex includes four cavefish: G. lorestanensis, G. tashanensis, G. typhlops and G. Although it will graze algae if available this species is not an exclusive herbivore. If not then you can read about it, To start things off, this is where I was able to acquire my Garra Rufa ( Doctor Fish ), They also have a variety of other fish, exotics even, which I purchased and am planning to have more. 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. It is advised to find a filter which has a water flow between 4-5 times the volume of your aquarium. Some species have evolved particular environmental specialisms such as highly reduced eyes in hypogean forms or the ability to survive in thermal springs. We operate in a field that flourishes worldwide and we offer highly integrated solutions to those interested in taking advantage of this new trend. If I'm lucky I would also be able to show you soon a video of my Garra Rufas breeding. Garra: vernacular Gangetic name for a particular species of “sand-digger,” which Francis Buchanan-Hamilton applied as a generic name for bottom-dwelling cyprinids “with no affinity to another genus”.