Türkiye’deki Balık Terapi Havuzlarından Toplanan Garra Türlerinin Morfometrik Analizi

Abstract

Morphometric Analysis of Garra Species collected from Ichthyotherapy Ponds in Türkiye

Abstract

This study investigates the taxonomic identity of Garra specimens used in fish therapy ponds across Antalya, Türkiye. Due to increasing global demand for ichthyotherapy and the morphological similarity among Garra species, non-native or misidentified species may be introduced into fish spa facilities. In this study, a total of 25 individuals were collected from four aquaculture suppliers and one reference population (Garra rufa from Göksu River). Twenty-two morphometric and ten meristic characters were analyzed through size-corrected comparisons and ANCOVA models. Results revealed significant morphological differences between the reference G. rufa and the spa fish, while the fish from commercial sources were morphologically cohesive and highly similar to each other. Comparative analysis suggests that the spa specimens are not G. rufa but most likely Garra turcica, a species recently reported outside its native range near Manavgat, possibly due to aquaculture activities. The findings highlight the risk of species misidentification in ichthyotherapy trade and its ecological implications. The study emphasizes the need for integrating molecular tools alongside morphological analysis to ensure accurate species identification and to inform conservation and management strategies.

Keywords

• Fish Spa
• Garra rufa
• Ichthyotherapy
• Doctor Fish

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