Scientific Name: Garra Rufa (Heckel, 1843)
Family: Cyprinidae (Carps)
Size: Up to 15cm/5", according to museum records, but usually around 10cm/4".
Origin: 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.
Life Span: 3 to 4 years under ideal conditions
The Garra Rufa or Red Barb is also called the Kangal Fish, Dr Fish, Spa Fish etc...
| Garra Rufa