Have you ever tried to dip your feet into the pool and let fish nibble off death skins from your toes? Spa fish treatments are quite popular in Japan, Korea, and have spread to China, Singapore, and other countries.
What's the feeling of being 'bitten' by spa fish? Some people will giggle and even cry out when experiencing it for the first time; others simply enjoy the massaging sensation as schools of fish gather around their feet or nibble off pesky death skins from the feet.
What are spa fish then? These tiny toothless fish are originally from Turkey; grow in fast-flowing water and can withstand temperatures above 40 degree Celsius; some can grow to the size of about 14cm. Garra Rufa is the scientific name but they are also known as doctor fish because of beliefs that they can help people with Psoriasis, a disease that causes red and scaly patches on the skin.
Actually, spa fish have been included in hot spring spas in Turkey for many years, where people use them to treat skin problems. It is not until recently that the fish have been introduced to Singapore. Now, if you go to Singapore Flyer or Sentosa Underwater World, you can find spa fish shops that have been nicely set up. Even some shops at Chinatown and fish farms have started this treatment as the demand is growing. The rate for a half-hour session ranges from SGD10 to 38 depending on the spa package. It is interesting to note that not all the spa fish are from Turkey; recently, countries such as China, India, and Africa have started to export other species of spa fish that can perform the same function.
Fish hobbyists have also started to keep spa fish at home, and some are thinking of breeding them since the cost of the fish is quite high, ranging from $2 to $10 each. Image having a tub with hundreds of fish in your living room where you can soak your feet in and enjoy a cup of nicely brewed coffee at the same time? We will talk about how to set up a spa fish tank at home another time.
Ten, writer for brew1819, a cafe situated at one corner of 8 Shenton Way, Singapore.
[http://www.brew1819.com/blog]
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