BS: Fishy feet?

Subject: BS: Fishy feet?
From: gnu
Date: 15 Jul 11 - 04:41 PM

Good lord.... since the blickey is down...

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/fish-pedicures-banned-b-c-health-authority-012706708.html

A spa on Vancouver Island has been told to stop offering a pedicure treatment that uses live fish to clean the dead skin cells of the tender tootsies of its clients.

The Purple Orchid Spa in Duncan had been offering fish pedicures since last July. Clients place their feet in a fish tank and tiny Gurra rufa fish imported from Turkey pull off the dead skin cells, according to owner Dixie Simpson.

"The water soaks off the dead skin off your feet and the little fish come along and cup it off. They don't have any teeth," said Simpson.

Simpson says she contacted Health Canada before opening last year and they gave her the go-ahead.

But now the Vancouver Island Health Authority told her to stop or risk facing thousands of dollars in fines and possibly six months in jail.

"Vancouver Island Health Authority are now classifying my fish as tools. But these are live animals. I can't sterilize them. So therefore I have to shut down," she said.

A spokesperson with VIHA has said there are concerns around fish pedicures — including bacterial infections spreading from person to person.

Shannon Marshall says such fish spas are banned in three provinces and 14 states for good reason.

"Using the same fish to clean the skin of multiple clients could lead to the spread of infection from person to person," said Marshall.

But Simpson maintains her fish are clean because she uses a UV filtration system and she is appealing to her local MLA for help.

"It's a third of my business.... And I don't know how long I'll be able to sustain - you know - under those circumstances," said Simpson.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 15 Jul 11 - 05:54 PM

There's one of these spa things in the Mall in Norwich (UK). There have been concerns expressed over the spread of germs by the fish. I can't for the life of me see why people need this.It's just a gimmick, can't they look after their own feet? Also it's cruel. The fish are living things, not a pedicure facility. They spend their whole lives in a small bath, it's not natural. I feel these spas should be banned.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: Donuel
Date: 15 Jul 11 - 08:18 PM

Hey don't knock it.

When I was 18 I hiked to Turtle pond in the Maine woods and sat by the waters edge on a rock and dangled my feet in the cool cool water.

These little tiny inch and a half long fish started kissing my toes.
There are no bites, Its just like they they try to get your attention or that they are trying to figure out just what these things are in the water with the slightest of nudges.

It was both amusing and cute. In nature it seems more fun than having it done as a business but c'est la vie.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: Rapparee
Date: 15 Jul 11 - 09:38 PM

Use piranhas. They can clean your feet in no time.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Jul 11 - 11:10 PM

We have also enjoyed the treatment Donuel describes. There is a swimming lake hereabouts where the shallow water is especially warm and it's fun to see the fishies glinting in the sunlight and tickling your toesies. One day we just set our chairs there and let them have at it.

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 15 Jul 11 - 11:34 PM

Yeah here on the Atlantic coast we got dem "little fishes" too! We calls em "great whites." Ere's a tip for ya. Feed em good before sticking yer toes in da water!

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 16 Jul 11 - 04:42 AM

Yes, but those fish were living in their natural environment, and if they hadn't much liked your feet, they could have swum off! Also, it's unlikely that they'd been harbouring bugs from other people's feet.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 16 Jul 11 - 07:01 PM

It's not cruel to keep fish, they don't care, and if the dead skin is food for them, it's even less cruel.

They are using maggots with gangrene, too. Is that mean to the maggots? Not even a little bit.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: gnu
Date: 16 Jul 11 - 07:10 PM

JtS... you ever stood in the sand at the beach and had the little fishies go all over yer feets? We used to do it as kids and then scoop them up into pails and put them in weighted fine mesh nets. Come next tide we'd gather the crabs that were drawn in and my folks would have a boil up. Crab anb biscuits and butter and beer. Well, maybe crackers depending on the amount of beer.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 06:13 AM

Mrrzy, I'm always sceptical when people imagine that living things 'don't care' or 'don't have feelings' etc. We can't know, can we? So I base my views on what is most natural for the creature. And stuck in a small bare tank nibbling feet is NOT natural.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 09:54 AM

'Fish Pedicure' is rife in Fife.
My wife and I had ours ages ago here in trendy Dunfermline.
In the Kingsgate shopping centre here, there is a set up with (I believe) 6 tanks and there's usually a queue. As long as you don't have any open sores/cuts or veruccahs you can getcha feet eat.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 01:07 PM

Can fish get trench mouth from trench foot? Athlete's tongue? Halitosis?

We use maggots to clean out some wounds. Should the rights of maggots be protected? Gaia believers will go nutso over this if they ever find out about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 02:03 PM

Do you mean hairitoesis, Bruce. And while we're being daft...do fish eat peoples fingers?

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 03:59 PM

There is a swimming lake hereabouts where the shallow water is especially warm and it's fun to see the fishies glinting in the sunlight and tickling your toesies. One day we just set our chairs there and let them have at it

Can't recommend this in my area. In the shallow water where stuff nibbles on ya sometimes, we got CRAWDADS. (Ouch - said in the voice of experience.) They don't go for the tough stuff on your toes. They grab whatever they can try to pinch off where it's tender.

One recent report says that clean feet may be a significant factor in preventing malaria. The claim is that mosquitos are especially attrancted to stinkin' dirty feet, so they're working on an "attractant" to use the smell to trap 'em before they can bite people. I don't suppose the 60% reduction in malaria cases would be too significant up north though.(?)

John

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: Rapparee
Date: 17 Jul 11 - 09:48 PM

I used to go swimming in the lake at Boy Scout camp. Usually at least two of us would come out leaking blood, because the fish there would bite you. Hard. Hurting hard. Warn't no ticklin' about it.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: GUEST,Mrr at work, no cookies here
Date: 18 Jul 11 - 05:41 PM

Fish are fine in captivity, as are maggots. No pain, no problem. Look at their neurology - I'm not asserting something in a vacuum.

What causes them pain is injury, anoxia or hunger, but not having their "freedom" impinged upon. As long as they are swimming (fish, not maggots) in something big enough to provide the oxygen, which they are in the pedicure thing or they'd be flopping about trying to breathe, instead of eating people's dead skin off their (the people's) feet, they are fine.

Maggots require even less.

I'm not "imagining" that they don't care. I can conclude it.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: bobad
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 07:53 PM

In related news: Eel slithers up man's penis during bath

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: Bobert
Date: 14 Sep 11 - 09:10 PM

Hey, wait!!!

I feel a new business plan coming into focus...

Yeah, what about a spa/sushi bar???

I mean, right after you get your feet done you get to eat the fish???

B;~)

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: SINSULL
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 08:41 AM

I think I am going to be sick.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: Charmion
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 08:58 AM

You people are weird. The time to be fish food is when you're dead.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: gnu
Date: 15 Sep 11 - 07:03 PM

So... the poor eel swam upstream and didn't get a chance to spawn? Awwww.

Subject: RE: BS: Fishy feet?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 16 Sep 11 - 11:42 AM

Looks good: for the suave and debonair . . .