Injury caused by fake "Spa Fish" 
Hungry Tilapias!!!
The REAL Garra Rufa aka Doctor / Spa FishDoctor Fish
Garra rufa has been known for over four hundred years as “Doctor fish”. In its natural habitat this fish feeds on small organisms that live within these thermal springs. However, in these hot springs, few organisms thrive and food for this fish is scarce. They have thus evolved to be curious creatures that would nibble on anything foreign introduced into the water in the hope of food. While nibbling, the fish exude a unique enzyme called dithranol (anthralin) which prevents fast development of cells from the skin, thereby alleviating Psoriasis.
Garra rufa is legally protected from commercial exploitation in Turkey due to concerns of over harvesting for export. As such this fish is not often seen in the aquarium trade.
The unscrupulous.
Recently, the healing properties of Garra rufa has been abused by unscrupulous businesses looking to deceive the public and cash-in on the hype. A quick search on the internet will show up a number of online hits claiming to be suppliers of “Garra rufa” especially from China. However, upon close observation, these fish end up being nothing like the real Garra rufa itself!
Most of what is on offer, seems to be juvenile Oreochromis niloticus (or hybrids of). Oreochromis niloticus is commonly known as common Tilapia in Malaysia! As hungry juvenile tilapia, this fish would swim in large numbers and would be bold enough to nibble on the arms and feet of people. However, no healing properties have ever been recorded from this species of fish nibbling on skin.
For full article, please go to
http://www.slipperylittlesuckers.com.my/articles.php?subaction=showfull&id=1197972934&archive=&start_from=&ucat=4&
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