Anyone Into These New 'fish Pedicures'

[shelaghfishface]

i think id have a heart attack if i felt a fish nibbling my feet

theres a place in my local town centre that does it and its always chocca block in there... its not normal
wonder if the needs of the fish are met as well as those of the clients

 

[Ryefish]

there are debates in all the news papers about whether these are safe. the fish that are safe have a relative who looks identical that have teeth and i believe there has been a report of HIV spreading in the states because of it. DEFRA are telling LFS' not to supply these fish to health stores

 

[shelaghfishface]

wow i had no idea, i just thought it was a bit disgusting, wasnt aware of the bigger issues, thanks for the info x

 

[Ryefish]

Oh, i forgot about verucca's and such too. Anyone with an infection of their foot sticking it in to the tank of water spreads it on to other people through the fish. I personally wouldn't have it done. The idea of sharing foot water makes me want to vomit (i hate feet anyways)

 

[shelaghfishface]

eeew god

 

[StandbySetting]

They're just vectors for infection, I doubt the fish are properly cared for, but I myself wouldn't mind keeping a few, they're quite attractive fish really!

 

[shelaghfishface]

haha i just had a vision of you with a bath full of fish

 

[sorgan]

i once saw a write up that said the 'shelf' life of these fish was around 2 months..... what a way to live.

 

[seizethecupcake]

They're just vectors for infection, I doubt the fish are properly cared for, but I myself wouldn't mind keeping a few, they're quite attractive fish really!

I think they're quite cute!

 

[Ryefish]

i once saw a write up that said the 'shelf' life of these fish was around 2 months..... what a way to live.

A guy in a local health store (wouldn't name them even if i knew which one it was) had a PH crash on his Garra Rufa 'tanks' and lost around 150 of them over the space of an hour or so. He didn't mind too much, he buys them in at around 150-200 a time.
Ive never seen his or any other health store tanks but would love to know how they are filtered and how often glass needs to be cleaned and water changes are carried out

 

[ian]

from a professional point of view, i think the chance of catching HIV is very very minimal, i think the Heps are more likely as you don't need a lot of blood to contract hep abc. I would still steer clear of these treatments though.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Lol balls to that I jump 3 feet in the air when one of my GSP's nibbles me, no way would I be able to take that. Imagine if the lfs sold them some hungry Pirana instead lol.

 

[Baccus]

I wouldn't go to one of those fish spa's (even if we had any locally), however a creek we used to go swimming in (Central Queensland) had hundreds of native fish in it and if you sat still in the water the fish would swarm all over you nibbling. It could get very ticklish, but at least if the fish got to annoying all you had to do was start moving and they would swim off again.

 

[mattbleasby]

I wouldnt dream of sticking my feet in a tank like that,

Personally i think its discusting that these places are able to operate. There's one near a few miles away from me in the Town Center.

The tanks are not filtered. Cleaned rarely and when i asked them about water changes, They didnt have a clue.

These fish are not cared for at all.

Rant over.

 

[hensonc4098]

Aparently though, the garas actually make quite good wee algae cleaners in aquariums Think I read it on the PFK website.