The Doctor Fish or Garra rufa is a freshwater fish that likes to nibble on human skin! It is even used in spas as a skin treatment! Lucky for us this fish will eat only the dead skin, leaving the healthy skin untouched. Doctor Fish have been used to treat multiple skin disorders, including eczema and psoriasis. You can check them out chowing down on humans in the videos below.
Also known as Kangal Fish, Nibble Fish, Little Dermatologists and Reddish Log Sucker Fish these Carp are not very large only growing to about 2-1/2" in length and have a lifespan of up to 7 years. They are found in naturally in river basins in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran. The Doctor Fish can be kept in an aquarium and is considered to be quite hardy. They have been brought to spas in places all over the world included The United States, Japan, Cambodia & Turkey.
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The Pacific Sanddab or Citharichthys sordidus is a Flatfish that is found in the Sea of Japan, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea and other places in the Pacific Ocean. Like other Flatfish, they begin their lives with eyes on both sides of their heads, but this quickly changes and they end up with both eyes on one side. This odd trait helps them see their potential prey from the sea floor with ease.
Pacific Sanddab are light brown in coloration with an oval body and very large scales. They can grow to about 41 cm (16 inches) and weigh in at 2lbs. They are sometimes known as Nottled Sanddab, Soft Flounder or Melgrim and are considered to be very tasty! This saltwater fish will feed on octopus, crustaceans and small fish and are normally found in depths of 50–150 meters. You can check out the Pacific Sanddab underwater in the video below.
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The Bigscale Logperch or Percina macrolepida is just one of the 11 different species of Logperch found in North America. The Bigscale Logperch is a freshwater fish that is found in a few different states including Texas, California, Oklahoma and Arkansas. They are not very large, only growing to about 4" in maximum length. These fish are slender with black or green vertical bars running down their bodies.
Bigscale Logperch are normally found near the bottom of slow moving streams, rivers and sometimes lakes. They are known to bury themselves under the sand much like the saltwater Shovelnose Guitarfish, lying in wait for their unsuspecting prey to swim on by. Logperch will also use this technique to hide from potential predators. They feed on insect larvae and smaller fish.
Bigscale Logperch reach sexual maturity in their second year and spawning will normally occur between February and mid-July. These fish have a rather bizarre mating ritual in which the female Bigscale Logperch will stand on her tail to attract the male. Once the male takes notice they will press up against each other and the female will lay 100 to 400 eggs, normally in a plant or small gravel pit.
You can check out a similar species the Conasauga Logperch flipping rocks in search of food in the video below.
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The Freshwater Drum or Aplodinotus grunniens is a freshwater fish found in many places in North and Central America. This fish goes by many different names including Grunt, Wuss Fish, Shepherd's pie, Croaker, Silver Bass, Sheephead, Gray Bass, Gasper goo and Grinder. These fish have a swim bladder that allows them to make a grunting or croaking sound, hence their nicknames.
Freshwater Drum can grow to about 54lbs maximum and can live for over 70 years! Female Drums are almost always larger then their male counterparts. These fish are nocturnal and feed on insect larvae, mussels and small fish. Freshwater Drum are considered to be quite edible, but some anglers are put off by their smell and mucus lining. You can check out a Freshwater Drum in action in the video below.
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The Flashlight Fish or Anomalops katoptron gets its name from its glowing smile that is cause by bio-luminescent bacteria in organs below each eye. This glow will often be white, but will also turn a blue or yellowish coloration depending on the fish. The Flashlight Fish actually has the ability to turn this light on and off when needed! They will use their light to attract prey, to communicate with one another, and to cause a diversion for potential predators. This remarkable attribute makes this saltwater fish a favorite for advanced aquarium owners.
Also known as the Lantern Fish and the Twofin Flashlight Fish they have a black body with a blueish tint on their caudal and dorsal fins. Growing to about 9" in length, this fish requires an aquarium of at least 125 gallons with the following water conditions, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025. They can be kept with other nocturnal fish including Pinecone Fish, Squirrelfish and Cardinalfish. They need plenty of hiding spaces and low lighting to set the mood. You can check out the Flashlight Fish underwater in the video below.
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