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    Garra Rufa

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    Jivan Khorki
    This document discusses Garra rufa fish, also known as "Doctor fish". It provides details on their classification, size, geographical distribution, habitat, diet, social behavior, breeding, and references. Garra rufa fish have been known for over 400 years to feed on dead skin and relieve psoriasis symptoms. They live in thermal springs in parts of the Middle East and have evolved to nibble on anything foreign in hopes of finding food.

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    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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    Garra Rufa

    Uploaded by

    Jivan Khorki
    1K views4 pages
    This document discusses Garra rufa fish, also known as "Doctor fish". It provides details on their classification, size, geographical distribution, habitat, diet, social behavior, breeding, and references. Garra rufa fish have been known for over 400 years to feed on dead skin and relieve psoriasis symptoms. They live in thermal springs in parts of the Middle East and have evolved to nibble on anything foreign in hopes of finding food.

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    This document discusses Garra rufa fish, also known as "Doctor fish". It provides details on their classification, size, geographical distribution, habitat, diet, social behavior, breeding, and references. Garra rufa fish have been known for over 400 years to feed on dead skin and relieve psoriasis symptoms. They live in thermal springs in parts of the Middle East and have evolved to nibble on anything foreign in hopes of finding food.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    1K views4 pages

    Garra Rufa

    Uploaded by

    Jivan Khorki
    This document discusses Garra rufa fish, also known as "Doctor fish". It provides details on their classification, size, geographical distribution, habitat, diet, social behavior, breeding, and references. Garra rufa fish have been known for over 400 years to feed on dead skin and relieve psoriasis symptoms. They live in thermal springs in parts of the Middle East and have evolved to nibble on anything foreign in hopes of finding food.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc, pdf, or txt
    of 4

    University of duhok

    College of veterinary medicine

    Garra rufa
    Fish

    By

    Jivan Q. Ahmad

    DATE, 12 DEC, 2009

    Garra rufa fish


    Has been known for over four hundred years as “Doctor fish”. In
    its natural habitat this fish feeds on small organisms that live within
    these thermal springs. However, in these hot springs, few
    organisms thrive and food for this fish is scarce. They have thus
    evolved to be curious creatures that would nibble on anything
    foreign introduced into the water in the hope of food. While
    nibbling, the fish exude a unique enzyme called dithranol
    (anthralin) which prevents fast development of cells from the skin,
    thereby alleviating Psoriasis.

    Garra rufa is legally protected from commercial exploitation in


    Turkey due to concerns of over harvesting for export. As such this
    fish is not often seen in the aquarium trade.

    Classification

    Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
    Class: Actinopterygii
    Order: Cypriniformes
    Family: Cyprinidae
    Genus: Garra
    Species: rufa

    Size: Up to 15cm/5", according to museum records, but usually


    around 10cm/4".

    Geographical distribution
    A non-migratory freshwater fish found in rivers through much of
    Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Turkey and Syria. There are also unconfirmed
    reports of the species in Oman and Saudi Arabia, but these aren't
    considered compatible with the distributional range of the species.

    Habitat: According to Krupp and Schneider, most Garra rufa are


    found in small muddy streams, rivers and lakes. However, the fish
    is also found in hot pools and locals bathe there in an attempt to
    get the fish to remove scales from their skin caused by a range of
    dermatological conditions.

    Water: Temperatures in the natural habitat are said to range from


    15-28C. In hot pools, the fish is said to live at a temperature
    around the 37C mark.

    Diet
    While sometimes sold as algae eaters, Garra are not dedicated
    algae eaters and need a mix of foods in the aquarium. Algae
    wafers of the type sold for loricariid catfish will certainly work well
    as a staple, but these should be supplemented with frozen
    bloodworms and other small invertebrates.

    Social behaviour and breeding

    Wild Garra often form large schools, a behaviour that doesn't seem
    to happen in the aquarium, where individual fish are often feisty
    and highly territorial, chasing away members of their own species
    as well as any other fishes that are considered potential threats or
    rivals. Keeping Garra in large groups (six or more specimens) may
    help encourage them to get along, but failing that, these fish are
    usually best kept one to a tank.

    Sexing Garra is difficult because few species show consistent


    differences in the colouration of the two sexes. However, in most
    cases mature males in breeding condition will develop tubercles on
    the head similar to those seen on goldfish. Similarly, females in
    breeding condition should show a rounded abdomen and
    altogether more robust build than otherwise.

    Garra ceylonensis, Garra rufa, and a few other species have been
    bred in aquaria. The parents scatter a few hundred eggs among
    the plants, after which they should be removed because they will
    likely eat the eggs given the chance. The eggs hatch within a
    couple of days, and the fry a free swimming three or four days
    later. The fry are quite easy to rear and will accept algae, prepared
    foods, and small live foods such as infusoria.

    Refrences
    • http://www.untamedscience.com/biodiversity/animals/c
    hordates/ray-finned-fishes/carps-amp-minnows/carps-amp-
    minnows/garra/garra-rufa
    • http://www.slipperylittlesuckers.com.my/articles.php?
    subaction=showfull&id=1197972934&archive=&start_from=&
    ucat=4&
    • http://www.tropicalfishfinder.co.uk/news_article.asp?
    id=1066

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