These Skin Eating Fish Places

[ellena]

2 have just opened in my town and I really fancy trying them.
Slightly worried about the fish welfare though. I've watched and they have cube tanks with fish already in them with aeration. I presume the water can't be chlorinated?
I know I could just go in and ask to see the setup but wondered if anyone knew anything on here first.
Thanks

 

[Aqua Tom]

Here is my slightly askew topic on this subject. It started about the filter media but seems to of ended up about the fish.

 

[james_fish]

There are some of those places in my local town. Can't say I agree with them to be honest. Im sure there are more practical ways of removing dead skin from your feet? Oh well, just one of those things.

I hope they are cycling!

James.

 

[Wills]

It is gimiky right now its something a lot of people have lept at while it is fashionable and while there are a lot of empty shops around.

From what I have seen on a welfare side of things a lot of the tanks are made and sold from the custom aquarium builders that we as hobbyests deal with. So its not people going into it totally blind - I would also hazard a guess that they are running 100% water change machines all day and night as lets face it once a fish has nibbled all the skin off you its not going to be sanitary for the next person. So I would guess that they flush the tanks after each customer because if someone got an infection from them which is quite possible its going to just close the industry down. Though it does raise a question about cholrine use I guess but then again I would guess that most tank builders would set them up with a UV system to keep it sterile?

But yeah I do join in with the concern of it all.....

Wills

 

[VaegaVic]

http/www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/content.php?sid=3469&utm_source=PFK_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=December_23_2010&utm_term=Fish_pedicures_could_spread_HIV,_says_UAE_Ministry_of_Health&utm_content=html

 

[electropunk06]

It is gimiky right now its something a lot of people have lept at while it is fashionable and while there are a lot of empty shops around.

From what I have seen on a welfare side of things a lot of the tanks are made and sold from the custom aquarium builders that we as hobbyests deal with. So its not people going into it totally blind - I would also hazard a guess that they are running 100% water change machines all day and night as lets face it once a fish has nibbled all the skin off you its not going to be sanitary for the next person. So I would guess that they flush the tanks after each customer because if someone got an infection from them which is quite possible its going to just close the industry down. Though it does raise a question about cholrine use I guess but then again I would guess that most tank builders would set them up with a UV system to keep it sterile?

But yeah I do join in with the concern of it all.....

Wills

If the water needs changing that much to keep people from getting infections how are the fish going to survive long when they are eating off peoples feet?
I dont agree with these places, was going to start a thread a while back.
I think the sooner this gimmick moves on the better.
Lloyd

 

[james_fish]

It is gimiky right now its something a lot of people have lept at while it is fashionable and while there are a lot of empty shops around.

From what I have seen on a welfare side of things a lot of the tanks are made and sold from the custom aquarium builders that we as hobbyests deal with. So its not people going into it totally blind - I would also hazard a guess that they are running 100% water change machines all day and night as lets face it once a fish has nibbled all the skin off you its not going to be sanitary for the next person. So I would guess that they flush the tanks after each customer because if someone got an infection from them which is quite possible its going to just close the industry down. Though it does raise a question about cholrine use I guess but then again I would guess that most tank builders would set them up with a UV system to keep it sterile?

But yeah I do join in with the concern of it all.....

Wills

If the water needs changing that much to keep people from getting infections how are the fish going to survive long when they are eating off peoples feet?
I dont agree with these places, was going to start a thread a while back.
I think the sooner this gimmick moves on the better.
Lloyd

I don't think dead skin will effect the fish too much. And I presume they are getting fed anyway.

James.

 

[Aqua Tom]

The fish are called Garra rufa & my lfs has a tankfull at the moment being sold as "ideal algea eaters".

I wonder what they prefer, Algea or Foot cheese?