Doctor fish is the common name given to a fish called Garra ruffa which originates from the rivers of Northern and Central Middle East, mainly Turkey, Syria, Iraq & Iran. They are also known by the other common names, nibble or Kangal fish.
The fish were discovered in the early 20th Century supposedly by a young boy who had injured his foot. When he bathed the injured foot in the water spring he noticed small fish nibbling his wound, and was surprised how quickly the wound healed. Hence word spread and people began flocking to the outdoor hot springs near Kangal in Turkey.
The doctor fish will feed on the dead skin of people who suffer from psoriasis, calluses, eczema, hard skin and acne. The garra ruffa fish gently suck the dead skin from the affected area but leave the new skin alone.
During the process the fish produce an enzyme called Diathanol which is well known to improve the regeneration of skin cells. Due to this healing process many foot spa's have opened throughout the world using these little fish. The fish can live up to 6 years and the small fish are just as effective as the larger ones.
If you buy these fish to use in a foot spa please take these few simple steps to ensure the long levity of your garra ruffa.
1 - Before introducing the fish to your tank please ensure that the water temperature and quality is correct. Temperature should be between 24 and 28 degree C and the pH is between 6.5 and 7.5.Also ensure there is no ammonia or nitrite in the water using the appropriate test kit.
2 - Upon arrival gently open the packaging box and let the fish acclimatise to the light. After 5-10 min put the unopened bags in the water for 15 mins to allow the temperature in the spa and package water to equalize.
3 - After 15 mins open the bags carefully and roll down the sides of the bag until the bag floats in the water. Add about half of the water from your spa as is in the bag and wait for approximately 10 mins, this will allow the fish to acclimatise to the different water conditions. After 10 min add another 50% and wait another 10 mins. If possible during this process ensure there is an oxygen line in the bag as the fish can suffocate quickly.
4 - When the fish have adjusted to the spa water then catch the fish with a net and introduce them to the spa. Do not add the water from the bags to the spa water as it will contain toxins etc built up during transportation.
5 - Once the fish have been introduced ensure there is plenty of oxygen in the water and also cover the spa to allow the fish to settle in their new environment and to stop them jumping.
6 - Keep the fish healthy by doing were possible a 10 – 20% daily water change. Do not add fresh water straight from the tap, but adjust the temperature to the same as the spa water. It is important to test the water quality on a regular basis and ensure that the pH is stable between 6.5 – 7.5, ammonia and nitrites are nil and the temperature is between 24-28 degree C.
7 - Feeding the Garra ruffa is easy and they will accept a good quality aquarium tropical fish food twice a day. Do not feed new arrivals for approximately 12 hrs.
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