Frightening Feeding Time for Fish

I was going to have 'Anyone for monkfish?' as this blog title, but although I intended to go to Gorton Monastery and take in the Universal Worship Service (for people from all faiths or none), I ended up at Ikea. It perhaps wasn't a bad thing. Too many new experiences in a day can't be that good for you.

Where to start.....I've had the strangest Sunday morning experience I've had for a long long time. It wasn't altogether awful but it did freak me out somewhat. I have to say I didn't want the experience, but was talked into it by Ms. A, who for the past few days has been telling me she needs to discuss fish with me.



We finally got around to the fishy conversation yesterday, and weirdly enough, as soon as it started it dawned on me where it would end. About 3 weeks ago I walked through Bolton town centre and saw people stood in a fish tank (with fish in). At the time it didn't occur to me that it was anything other than a prank - maybe a charity stunt. This week while stopped at traffic lights I noticed a beauty salon advertising fish therapy. That sounds awful, and the thought of having the likes of a fish facial didn't tempt me in. Yesterday though I walked through Bury and overheard an older couple stood in front of another salon. The wife was telling the husband that fish in tanks eat dead skin off your body, and it is a new 'thing'. As soon as Ms. A phoned me later on, it all slotted into place! She was telling me about Appy Feet that has opened up in the Trafford Centre, where you go for a pedicure with a difference. My feet are fine, but she managed to talk me into not only accompanying her, but participating in the experience. We decided to go to the Bolton salon (Yoko in the Market Place, Bolton) as it was more convenient. I was collected and driven to Bolton to find out what it was all about.



The fish tank



A Garra Rufu Fish Therapy Experience is supposed to leave your feet very smooth, give you a feeling of well being, stimulate the growth of new skin cells, and provide relief for skin disorders such as eczema and psoriasis. Basically, the fish eat the dead skin off your feet. We missed a trick really. With the amount of dry skin on Ms. A's feet we could have charged the salon as the fish wouldn't have needed feeding for weeks afterwards.

Having my feet checked out

A good wash of the feet first

There are 2 sections in Yoko, and one of them is screened off so people can be private. It was explained to us that some people may have psoriasis that they don't want others to see, and they are more comfortable (or not as self conscious, as 'comfortable' may not be a good way to describe it) away from curious eyes. We don't mind an audience and so were fine with the idea of rolling up our jeans and sitting with our feet in a fish tank in an open shop front with half the population of Bolton coming for a look. Before the treatment started we had to have our feet inspected. We were asked if we had had any verrucas recently, any athletes foot, or any deep cuts that wouldn't heal. When they were satisfied that we wouldn't poison the fish we could sit next to the fish tanks with our feet in a foot spa. This is just so they know we have had a wash in our own personal water before having a dip in the communal bits. Before long, it was time for the experience to begin.



The hungry fish

The feet have gone into the tank

Work in progress

The bottom of Ms. A's feet

We were advised to slowly put our feet into the tanks, but not look as we did it. The look on Ms. A's face made me want to escape, and the fish started their meal straight away. They were like a school of pirhanas attacking. It took me ages to put my feet in my tank, and then it was so awful I pulled them straight out again. It made me jump because I thought some of the fish might have ended up on the salon floor, and I had visions of me being charged for the fish I'd killed off. They stayed in the water though, but I did get told not to scream again as it frightened the fish (never mind potential customers). I slowly put my feet in again and this time kept them there. It is a really strange feeling, that is very similar to having your feet in a jacuzzi. If you don't think or look, it isn't unpleasant. The fish don't half get stuck in as soon as they see the flesh though, and to me the weirdest bit was when they went in between my toes. They don't just do your feet - some of mine were experimenting further up my legs. We were advised that if we wanted them to concentrate on the bottom of our feet we should just put our soles in. That tickled far too much for me.

A relaxing spa treatment?

As it is a bit of a spectator experience we did drum up some more custom while we were there. The other people having a go all said that it was enjoyable. One man put his hand in his girlfriends fish tank and he wasn't too keen though. We were assured that the fish don't have teeth. It is something to do with enzymes on their saliva breaking down the skin so they can lick it off, but I haven't looked into the biological details yet. Only one person has licked in between my toes before, but he didn't chew any dead skin off while he was at it. When our time was up we could dry off, smother our feet in moisturiser, and go on our way. My feet are really smooth, and Ms. A's are in a much better state than they were. She was very impressed with the outcome. I'm not sure I'd do it again, as I'm really soft  (i.e. a coward) and don't particularly need it, but I would recommend it for anyone with a lot of dry skin or a skin condition.

One thing to note though. Although the fish do seem to smooth your feet, just like a pedicure does, they don't paint your nails at the same time. However, 8 hours later my feet are exceptionally soft. If you are brave enough, go for it!