Doctor Fish Breeds

There are more than ten different species that fall under the banner of Doctor Fish. Of the ten species, there are two major species used in fish spas. These are Strikers (or “Cyprinion macrostomus macrostomus”) and Lickers (or “Garra rufa obtusa”), both of which belong to the Carp (or “Cyprinidac”) family. The main difference is that Strikers have a terminal mouth and Lickers have a ventral mouth.

Both species are omnivorous, and prefer dead skin cells to living skin cells because they are easier to nibble on. They grow up to 14 cm, but standard size is usually around 10 cm.

They are a non-migratory freshwater fish found in rivers through much of Turkey, Iraq, Israel, Jordan and Syria. Most Garra Rufa are found in small muddy streams, rivers and lakes. However, the fish are also found in hot pools. Temperatures in the natural habitat of these fish are said to range from 15-28 degrees Celsius. In hot pools, the fish are said to live at a temperature around 37 degrees Celsius.

Substitutes

Here is a list of look-alike species which have been known to be used in fish spas in place of Garra Rufa:

• Garra bicornuta - Origin: Thunga river system in Karnataka and Kolhapur in Maharashtra. Indiaa. This Garra is the most often used look-alike doctor fish in fish spa’s in Malaysia.

• Garra annandalei - Origin: India, eastern Nepal and Bangladesh

• Garra cambodgiensis - Origin: Mekong and Chao Phraya basins. Malay Peninsula

• Garra ceylonensis - Origin: Endemic to Sri Lanka.

• Garra congoensis - Origin: Lower Congo River, Africa

• Garra flavatra - Origin: Myanmar

• Garra fuliginosa - Origin: Chao Phrya and Mekong, Thailand

• Garra gotyla - Origin: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and upper Myanmar

• Garra mullya - Origin: throughout India except Assam and the Himalaya

• Garra imberba - Origin: China

• Gyrinocheilus aymonieri - Origin: Mekong, Chao Phraya and Meklong basins; northern Malay Peninsula