Potential of Garra rufa as a novel high-temperature resistant model fish: a review on current and future approaches

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Garra rufa, commonly known as the “doctor fish”, is a freshwater cyprinid native to warm regions of the Middle East. Since the late twentieth century, it has been widely utilized in spas for alternative therapeutics and fish pedicures (or manicures) for dermatological diseases such as psoriasis and eczema. Owing to its unique characteristics, there is growing interest in exploring various applications of G. rufa. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the phylogenetic position, ecology, biological characteristics, and breeding methods of G. rufa, and provides insights into its use as a therapeutic fish. Notably, the ability of G. rufa to thrive in high-temperature environments exceeding 37 °C distinguishes it from other cyprinids and suggests its potential as a model for human diseases, such as human infectious diseases, and in use in cancer xenograft models for high-throughput drug screening. The ongoing genome sequencing project for G. rufa aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying its high-temperature tolerance and offers valuable genomic resources. These efforts have resulted in significant advances in fish aquaculture, species conservation, and biomedical research.