Garra Rufa Doctor Fish Algae Eater

Doctor Fish or Garra rufa

Garra rufa

a.k.a. Nibbler fish, Kangal fish, Spa Fish, Pedicure Fish

Family: Cyprinidae (Carps)

Origin: A non-migratory freshwater fish found in rivers through much of Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Turkey & Syria

 
Habitat: Most Garra Rufa are found in small muddy streams, rivers and lakes, however, this fish is also found in hot pools and locals bathe there to allow the fish remove dead skin caused by a range of dermatological conditions.  Talk about a unique way to exfoliate your skin!  The fish only consume the affected and dead areas of the skin, nothing more, leaving the healthy skin to grow.

Water: Temperatures in the natural habitat range from 59-85F (15-28C). In hot pools, the fish live at a temperature around the 82-95F (28-33C).  In Arizona our water can get 100 degrees in the hot summer and these fish are fine.

Commercial Use: 1950s - Kangal Fish Spa opened in Turkey.  2003 - German health authorities began covering the cost of the ichthyotherapy (fish therapy) for their psoriasis patients.  2006 – Fish-utilizing spas opened in Hakone, Japan, and in Umag, Croatia, where the fish are used to exfoliate the dead skin.  There are also spas in resorts in China, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.  2008 – Fish spas opened in the United States, and several more are scheduled to open in Ireland, France, Italy, and Switzerland.