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Fish


Fish


"Nibble-fish", "Psoriasis-fish"-lat. Garra Rufas. Family Cyprinidae, Class Garrinae, eng. Red Suctorial-Barbels. The original habitat of the species is Asia: Levantine and Mesopotamia (see Mengus Aquarium Atlas Part III.)

In the Turkish region of Kangal, thermal-baths with Garra Rufa have been used for hundreds of years in treating sicknesses such as Psoriasis, Neurodermitis, Acne, Foot-fungus and Warts, and this therapy has been found to be quite successful. (Many reports of patients found on the internet support the amazing results of the therapy.)

In Germany, full-grown adult Garra Rufas are 12-14cm (4.5-5.5 inches) long. The compatible school of fish is extremely robust; accordingly the fish can withstand temperatures starting at 15'C to 18'C and even greater temperature fluctuations. Garra Rufas are egg scatterers. The gender of the fish can first be clearly established during mating. In adolescent fish, those 5/6 months old, the males are distinguishable by their dominant behaviors. In maintenance of the fish, it is important to keep in mind that these are carnivorous fish (more on that under "Maintenance".)