Fishes Nibbling My Feet
By Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
United Kingdom
April 3, 2017 3:06pm CST
There is a fish tank in the indoor market here in Spain, and for 5 Euros you can have your feet nibbled by small fish. They clean up your feet by eating any dead skin.
I decided to have a go. It's quite hygienic as the attendant washes your feet before you are allowed to put them in the tank, and then you have your own individual towel to dry them afterwards.
It was quite a pleasant sensation. It didn't tickle - it was more like having your feet brushed by a feather duster.
Imagine my surprise when I got on the computer later on and found that my son had sent me a photo of him doing exactly the same thing!
We are both on holiday, him in Thailand and me in Spain, and neither of us had done it before, or even talked about it. To compound the coincidence it seems we were doing it at pretty much the same time too.
The photo shows my legs, and that's my son on the right. He had a better photographer (his wife), whereas the attendant took mine.
Would you fancy having fishes nibbling your feet?
Would you fancy having fishes nibbling your feet?80 people like this
85 responses
@Happy2BeMe (99380)
• Canada
4 Apr 17
I can not handle anybody touching my feet. I miss extremely ticklish so I can't even imagine it. Cool that you and your son were doing the same thing in different countries.
6 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 17
@Happy2BeMe I suppose it's not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
4 Apr 17
@jaboUK The fish are called Garra rufa (sounds like the chap who knocks at your door asking whether you need gutters cleaned/tiles replaced/asphelt repaired). They are a river fish native to Turkey and Anatolia and those parts. In the wild they scrape algae and other things from rocks and the skin of other fish. Some concern has been raised about the spread of disease when using these fish as skin scavengers and they have been banned by some US states. In the UK, Boots WebMD says that you should avoid the treatment if you have any cuts on your feet or have recently had your legs waxed but that no scientific evidence is available to prove that, when properly managed, it can be dangerous. I would be very wary, I think, of using any facility in a public mall!
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
3 Apr 17
i have heard a lot about this trend lately. it is becoming pretty popular. i think i would like it but not sure i can with this thing of me painting my toes for fungus etc. i have been dealing with . although when i go back to the foot doctor he will see if its over yet. i sure hope so its a nuisance to continue
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
3 Apr 17
@bunnybon7 I shouldn't imagine that they would let you use the tank with that anti-fungus stuff on. They were very particular and asked me if I had any lotion etc.on. I hope you get rid of that fungus soon.
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
4 Apr 17
@jaboUK oh i know that. its why i say it would be nice but can't try it at this time. my feet stay clean and all but the doctor said it caused by sweating feet. so now i try keeping them dry and constantly clean. no i would not want to kill those sweet little fish
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
3 Apr 17
@rebelann You wouldn't be allowed to get in with sweaty feet! Having said that, a man put his feet in after I'd been in there on my own for a while, and the fish immediatelty deserted my feet for his - they obviously thought his were tastier
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79929)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
3 Apr 17
It certainly sounds like an interesting experience. Great photos. You can see the fish.
4 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
3 Apr 17
@RasmaSandra The photos illustrate what I'm talking about quite well, don't they?
@Juliaacv (51012)
• Canada
3 Apr 17
I've heard of this, but I do not think that I could sit thru that.
My problem would be with the water itself, because its not changed in between uses, and I have such a phobia about germs. Of course that is my problem, and I am glad that you don't share it, otherwise you wouldn't have had this done. I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
3 people like this
@paigea (36317)
• Canada
4 Apr 17
I might try it. I always thought it would tickle though and I wouldn't enjoy that.
What a neat coincidence! We were skiing the long weekend in February and just found out other friends were visiting the same town where we stayed, the same weekend. It would have been fun to see them there!
3 people like this
@VivaLaDani13 (60794)
• Perth, Australia
4 Apr 17
@jaboUK 
No thank you lol My neighbour had this done in Bali early this year. The idea makes me cringe. I just wouldn't be able to do it. 
No thank you lol My neighbour had this done in Bali early this year. The idea makes me cringe. I just wouldn't be able to do it. 2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 17
@VivaLaDani13 Honestly, the fish are so tiny you can hardly feel them.
2 people like this
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
4 Apr 17
@VivaLaDani13 I will drag you there to experience it and you will go. I might need company! End of discussion. 
2 people like this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
4 Apr 17
How interesting, i have never even heard of this being something that people do, i do not know if i would.
3 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 17
@chrissbergstrom I hesitated for a while, and I watched other people having it done before I decided to have a go. I'm glad I did.
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
4 Apr 17
Sounds intriguing! I would love to try just to experience something new. I hope I can bear it though cause my feet can be super sensitive and hence, ticklish.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 17
@Daljinder Yes, I like new experiences too, but I suppose it's not for everyone. My son's wife tried it and couldn't stand it - she only lasted for a few seconds. I honestly thought it was a pleasant sensation.
. I honestly thought it was a pleasant sensation.2 people like this
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
5 Apr 17
@jaboUK I want to at least give it a try.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (167071)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Apr 17
I think that would be so cool. What a pleasant sensation. How nice! What a really nice experience.
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
3 Apr 17
@celticeagle Yes, it was a great experience, I'm glad I did it.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6779)
• United Kingdom
3 Apr 17
I have seen these around the UK in recent years, but the scare over the risk of spreading diseases has closed most of them down I think.
I hope I haven't put my foot in it.
2 people like this
@Orson_Kart (6779)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 17
@jaboUK Thought you might like that. 
There's chlorine in swimming pools.
There's chlorine in swimming pools.1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 17
@Orson_Kart Lol to your last remark, and how come that swimming pools aren't closed down if your first remark is accurate?
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
4 Apr 17
Really not my thing, but many seem to think it is fun.
2 people like this
@PatZAnthony (14749)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
5 Apr 17
@jaboUK Glad you tried this. Maybe now some here will give it a go.
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
5 Apr 17
@PatZAnthony Yes, I found it enjoyable
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
4 Apr 17
oh, i somehow feel that sensation. our puppies lick our toes and feet here, maybe the feeling is the same as fish nibbling on one's feet?
2 people like this
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
4 Apr 17
@ridingbet It may be a similar sensation, but more delicate than puppies tongues.
1 person likes this
