Zoolung Animals

Yeongdeungpo Hanam Dongtan Gyeongju

Doctor Fish

They are called “doctor fish” because they select and nibble away dead skin cells, leaving only fresh skin behind, which is said to help treat skin conditions. Doctor fish love warm water. They typically live in water temperatures of around 25–35°C, though there are even species that live in hot springs exceeding 40°C.

Category

Cypriniformes Cyprinidae
Habitat

River
Diet

Algae

We're good friends

Gyeongju

Guardian of Life Mukmugi

Species

Freshwater fish

It is a freshwater fish belonging to the carp family, and its scientific name is **Garra rufa**.

Place of discovery

the Middle East

The Middle East—including Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran—It is primarily found in the rivers and lakes of the Middle East.

Habitat

Warm hot spring water and rivers

They are particularly common in hot spring areas or along the banks of rivers with high water temperatures.

Diet

Omnivorous (primarily birds)

They primarily feed on aquatic algae (moss) and small invertebrates, and their behavior of removing dead skin cells is also related to their feeding habits.

Action

Exfoliation

Due to a lack of nutrients, they have a unique habit of pecking at dead skin cells on human skin.

Average size

Length: 10–14 cm

Adults are generally small, measuring between 10 and 14 cm in length.

Features

No teeth

It consists solely of a bony structure and has no actual teeth; when it sucks on dead skin cells, it causes only a gentle sensation without any pain.

Lifespan

6–7 years in the wild, 10 years in captivity

In the wild, they live for about 6 to 7 years, and in an aquarium environment, they can survive for up to 10 years.