What is Doctor Fish?

Matthew_07

Doctor fish is the name given to two species of fish: Garra rufa and Cyprinion macrostomus. Other nicknames include nibble fish, kangal fish, and doctorfishen; in non-medical contexts, Garra rufa is called the reddish log sucker. They live and breed in the outdoor pools of some Turkish spas, where they feed on the skin of patients with psoriasis. The fish are like combfishes in that they only consume the affected and dead areas of the skin, leaving the healthy skin to grow, with the outdoor location of the treatment bringing beneficial effects. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctor_fish One of many Youtube Videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0SjK2KaMOc&feature=related [Video link added -- Zb] Jul 01 08, 11:30 PM

1cyprus

Alternatively, in Britain the Tench(Tinca Tinca) is called the "Doctor Fish".This stems from an old wives tale that it's mucus(slime) could be used to clear up acne and other skin problems. Having caught them many times, i would not advise smearing that stuff on your face! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tench Jul 01 08, 11:49 PM