Doctor Fish Care Guide - Aquarium Setup, Diet & Breeding

Doctor Fish are sturdy, torpedo-shaped members of the carp family, with a rounded head, low-set mouth and thickened lips adapted to rasping algae and biofilm from hard surfaces. Their body is usually grey-brown to olive, often with subtle darker markings, while the fins may show warm orange or reddish tones, especially in good condition.

Garra rufa is native to the Middle East, occurring in river systems, springs and warm-water streams of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran, particularly within the Tigris-Euphrates drainage and adjacent Anatolian waters. Its natural range includes both flowing freshwater habitats and thermal springs.

A group of Doctor Fish should have at least a 120-litre aquarium, with a footprint around 120 cm long by 40 cm wide preferred for active adults. Use powerful filtration, strong circulation and excellent aeration to recreate their cool, oxygen-rich river environment. A smooth gravel or sand substrate, rounded stones, slate, hardy plants and open swimming space work well; avoid sharp décor that could damage their mouths and barbels. A secure lid is advisable because they can jump when startled.

Up to 14 cm (5.5 inches) in total length. Females are usually larger and fuller-bodied than males, while males tend to remain slightly smaller and more slender.

Doctor Fish are omnivorous grazers that naturally consume algae, aufwuchs, insect larvae, small crustaceans and other organisms collected from rocks. In an aquarium, provide sinking algae wafers and quality omnivore pellets alongside blanched vegetables such as courgette, spinach and cucumber. Supplement their diet with frozen or live foods including brine shrimp, daphnia and bloodworm. They should never be dependent on human skin as a food source.

Doctor Fish are generally suitable for a peaceful community of similarly sized, active river fish. Good companions can include larger danios, peaceful barbs, robust rasboras, white cloud mountain minnows and other non-aggressive stream-dwelling cyprinids. Avoid slow, long-finned fish, very timid species and aggressive cichlids; they may also compete poorly with highly territorial bottom dwellers or be harassed by larger fish. Keep them in a group, as isolated individuals can become stressed or more defensive.

Doctor Fish are egg-scattering spawners that can breed in mature aquariums when provided with clean, well-oxygenated water, strong current and plenty of spawning cover. Condition a group with varied foods, then offer fine-leaved plants, spawning mops or gravel between smooth stones. Adults may eat the eggs, so remove the spawning material or transfer the eggs to a separate hatching container. The eggs generally hatch within a few days, with tiny fry requiring infusoria-sized foods before moving on to newly hatched brine shrimp.

Females are generally larger, broader and rounder through the abdomen, particularly when carrying eggs. Males are typically more streamlined and may develop stronger breeding colouration or small breeding tubercles on the head and front of the body.