Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

They are incredibly active, curious, and peaceful fish that constantly explore their environment. They are highly social and must be kept in groups to prevent stress and hiding. They often establish a playful pecking order but rarely inflict any physical harm upon one another.

Diet

Omnivore

They are omnivorous grazers famous for eating dead skin, but their primary diet consists of algae, aufwuchs, and biofilm. In captivity, they eagerly consume sinking algae wafers, spirulina flakes, and high-quality sinking pellets. Weekly offerings of frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp provide essential protein variety.

Sex ratio

School

Females are generally stockier and possess a rounder belly, especially when full of eggs. Males are slightly more slender and may develop small breeding tubercles on their heads during the spawning season. Keeping them in groups of five or more naturally balances the sex ratio and promotes shoaling.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

They possess high metabolisms and should be fed small portions twice daily. Supplementing their diet by allowing algae to grow naturally on smooth river stones provides an excellent secondary food source. They are voracious eaters, so take care not to overfeed the entire aquarium.

Bioload

The Doctor Fish produces a relatively high bioload for a small fish due to its active metabolism and constant grazing. A robust filtration system is essential to process their waste and maintain excellent water clarity. Routine and thorough water changes are necessary to keep nitrates low and ensure their overall health.

Flow

Stagnant

They originate from fast-flowing rivers and streams in the Middle East, requiring high oxygen levels. Strong water flow generated by powerheads or spray bars closely mimics their natural habitat. Poor water circulation can lead to lethargy and increased susceptibility to disease.

Reproduction

Oviparous

Breeding them in home aquariums is possible but requires a dedicated, heavily oxygenated setup. They are egg scatterers that lay unadhesive eggs among smooth stones or coarse gravel. The parents must be removed immediately after spawning, as they will eagerly consume their own eggs.

Compatibility & tankmates

They are peaceful and highly social fish that do well in most standard community aquariums. They can be safely housed with peaceful barbs, tetras, and rasboras. Avoid keeping them with large, aggressive predators or extremely timid fish that might be stressed by their active swimming.

Tank level

Bottom

They are energetic bottom-dwellers that also spend significant time grazing on the aquarium glass and decorations. You will rarely find them hovering in the mid-water column for long. They appreciate aquariums decorated with smooth boulders and sturdy broad-leaved plants.