h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Fish spas - A87732750
Author: Beatrice De'Ath - U190170

The basic (fish) bones of an entry - I'll be asking for anyone with experience to add to this, so it may become a collaborative entry.

Lovely entry

May I make a couple of suggestions of things you could add.

1 - Why would I want to do this?

2 - Why have they suddenly become so popular in the UK?

(I remain unconvinced about the health benefits re psoriasis or eczema to be honest.. do you have a reference for that?).



And we can use the photo you linked you in your journal can't we?

I believe that they use an antiseptic spray on your feet before you lower them into the water? Or so I was informed when I asked.

I'd like to know about the fish. Why do they eat the nasties off our feet? Are they starved and so forced? I ask because this species of fish were in the lake in India where we stayed, and none of them would come near our feet. What is the welfare of the fish? Do they have an enriched environment when the day's work is done, or do they just sit in a bare bowl all day? How are the fish transported? If the spa closes down or goes bust, or interest dries up, what happens to the fish?

These are the things that I'd really like to know, thank you for giving me the chance to hopefully find out.

Oh, and the health risks are all about the people. What about health risks to the fish? I personally feel I could never do this unless I was sure about the welfare of the

You went ahead and did it. You go, girl.

A few thoughts:

About the psoriasis and eczema: From what I've read (and lord, no, I wouldn't do this, <chicken&gt the fish are said to secrete an enzyme which is good for the skin. I think, too, that the principle of 'natural' removal of dead skin is akin to the return to use of maggots and leeches.

A question: What are 'crocs'? From context, I'm guessing they're slippers or flip-flops? (We also call them 'thong sandals' here, but that might get 2legs too excited.)

A round of from me for the great subheaders.

If I understand what's going on, the fish are enjoying the meal...let's not dwell on it. But I agree, when off-duty, they ought to have some nice vegetation to swim around in. A fish that is willing to eat dead skin off your foot is deserving of your admiration. Isn't this called a 'doctor fish'? When is the last time a doctor...oh, never mind.

I'll be putting links in later, including to crocs....

A30081791

As Xanatic mentioned in the other thread, I too have had small schools of fish nibble my dead parts while snorkelling.

If only I had thought of the economic opportunities, but no- I was entranced by the brightly coloured fish.....and the bikini floating by.

is a smiley yet made to express the surprise at the voluminous selection at a Scandinavian furniture and accessory store.

I of course meant

Now, we need a Yikea smiley, especially for the use of the people who live in Valladolid, who voted to name the street Ikea was on 'Calle me falta un tornillo'. (Or, 'I am missing a screw street'.)

Thanks for the croc info, Bea. I didn't even know there was a name for those things.

Last year Azahar and I went to get our tootsies nibbled by fish at Aqua Sheko in London.

We hadn't booked but they were able to take us. First, a young man washed our feet. Presumably he was also scrutinising them for nasties.
Then we climbed onto a raised area and lowered our feet into the tanks and the fish got to work. After half an hour of them nibbling and tickling, we then each had a very good foot massage.
I have photos

ps - loads more info if you put "fish pedicure" into a search doobrie

Quick off the mark with this one Bea, nice one.

Slight Freudian slip in there, perhaps, about "shocks and shoes"!

Did this in Manchester.

No footal inspection or disinfection took place, and the water seemed to be continually circulated/filtered, rather than emptied out and treated.

As to why you would want to do it, my feet felt AMAZING for several hours afterwards. It was similar to the effect of having a massage - I just felt relaxed and invigorated, far more than I had expected to.

I might add that I've also got a mighty collection of warts/verrucas infesting my really rather horrible feet, and the fish didn't seem to mind.

eww, hoo, that is totally toe-curlingly Too Much Information. I shall be warned and watch how people are screened before I ever use one then.

That might even be a tip to add to the Entry...

I agree.

I'd have thought it was just about exactly the right amount of information, actually...

What is it with this place and fish puns? Love the sub-headers! This could shape up nicely.

TRiG.

I'm taking on board all the comments - bit hectic here at the mo, but I will get to updating this very soon, promise