There’s a spa treatment for every skin type and concern, from chemical peels to microdermabrasion. However some spa treatments trend toward the exotic, such as the famed fish pedicure popularized in the Middle East. It’s a treatment that involves dipping your toes into a water basin where dozens of little fish feed off the dead skin on your feet.
This pain-free exfoliating treatment harnesses the natural behavior of Garra rufa, also known as doctor fish. Let’s explore this famous fish spa species in greater detail.
Species Overview
- Scientific Name: Garra rufa
- Other Names: red garra, doctor fish, nibble fish
- Origin: Western Asia
- Size: 3-6 inches
- Lifespan: 3-7 years
Native to freshwater habitats throughout the subtropical regions of Western Asia, the red garra (Garra rufa) is a cyprinid species. Wild specimens feed on algae, residue, and microscopic animals like zooplankton and arthropods.
The History of Fish Pedicures
In the early 21st century, Garra rufa fish came to be integrated into spa treatments targeted at patients with psoriasis. Psoriasis is an incurable skin condition that causes the skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in itchy buildup and scaly patches of skin.
The treatment—popularized as the “fish pedicure”—involves dunking the feet into a basin of water and red Garra. The fish feed on the layer of excess skin, delivering a pain-free method of exfoliation. While fish pedicures may help relieve symptoms, they’re not considered a curative treatment for psoriasis.
While fish pedicures remain popular internationally, they’ve been banned in many U.S. states and parts of Canada due to safety and sanitary concerns. There are also ethical concerns related to the capture, transport, and treatment of the fish.
Doctor Fish in the Home Aquarium
If you’re looking for a unique addition to your aquarium cleanup crew, the red garra could be a perfect fit. As a scavenger and grazer, Garra Rufa will feed on biofilm and detritus in the tank. They’re generally peaceful fish, so they are compatible with other fish that have similar tank requirements.
Red Garra typically reach a maximum size of around 5.5 inches but their growth may depend on the availability of food. While these fish will feed on a variety of commercial foods and fresh fruits and vegetables, biofilm is a key component of its natural diet. For this reason, red garra do best in well-established tanks with plenty of driftwood, rockwork, and live plants where biofilm can grow.
Garra rufa is uniquely suited to cold water aquariums, able to thrive in temperatures ranging from 57°F to 68°F. They’re adaptable to a pH range between 6.0 and 8.0 with a preferred water hardness of 6-10 dKH. The most important quality of a tank for red garra is highly oxygenated water with significant flow. Bright lighting will also help to encourage the development of biofilm on tank surfaces.
Feeding Garra Rufa Fish
The red garra is an omnivore, so a varied diet is important in the home aquarium. Along with biofilm, these fish will graze on algae in the tank but it won’t be a primary food source. A balanced diet will include a variety of meaty foods, sinking vegetable-based foods, and occasional fresh fruit and vegetables.
The best meaty foods for Garra rufa fish include live or frozen bloodworms, artemia, and tubifex worms. You can also offer chopped prawns or clams. Sinking wafers formulated for herbivores—those that include spirulina and other vegetable matter—should also be included in the diet. Offer washed fruit and vegetables on occasion, blanching veggies like spinach and zucchini to make them easier to eat.
Recommended Tank Mates
Because red garra is a cold water species, the best tank mates are fish with similar tank requirements. Keep in mind that these fish also prefer fast-flowing water, so avoid shy or slow-moving fish that might be bothered by such conditions.
Garra rufa live in large colonies in the wild but can become aggressive with conspecifics in the home aquarium. The ideal scenario is a large, heavily planted tank in which three to four Garra rufa can be safely kept. With sufficient space, a small group will naturally establish a pecking order amongst themselves but will likely be less aggressive toward other tank mates.
When keeping a single Garra rufa, avoid tank mates with similarly shaped bodies. It may be best to avoid fish that occupy the same level of the tank as well, opting for mid- to top-dwelling fish like rasboras or white cloud mountain minnows.
Garra Rufa Fish Facts
Little information is available about the captive breeding of Garra rufa. When sexually mature, females of the species are noticeably thicker in body than males. In the wild, this species spawns continuously between April and November, scattering eggs over the rocky substrate. Adults have not been observed to provide parental care.
The Garra genus of cyprinids includes over 160 unique species. They’re largely slim in body with flat bellies and sucking mouths. Relatively few are utilized in the aquarium hobby, the exception being the panda garra (Garra flavatra). Growing up to 3 inches, panda garra are easily identified by their alternating dark and light bands of color.
If you’re looking for the perfect addition to a cold water tank, consider the Garra rufa fish. These hardy omnivores will help keep your tank clean while their engaging personalities will keep you entertained.
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