October 8, 2008

Washington state decided to prohibit fish pedicures in beauty salons last week, and Texas soon followed suit, announcing its own ban today. (Pet Pulse Photo by The Associated Press)

SEATTLE -- One summer health craze might soon be biting its way out of town, just as quickly as it nibbled its way in.

Washington state's Department of Licensing has banned fish pedicures in beauty salons, citing unsanitary practices.

Texas' department announced a similar ban today.

The treatment includes toothless fish that are placed into a tank to feed on a customer's dead skin. The removal of dead layers of skin is thought to allow healthy skin to grow.

The craze hit the mainstream media circuit over the summer, with proponents acclaiming the practice as environmentally friendly and innovative.

But Washington's ban might cause a ripple effect on different states that permit salons to house and use the imported fish -- garra rufas -- which come from Turkey.

The Department of Licensing spokeswoman, Christine Anthony, says her team discovered one salon in Kent, Wash., that boasts the practice.

They sent representatives to learn more about the untraditional beauty regiment.

"From our view, under state law, it says that all tools used in pedicures must be sanitized, disinfected or disposed of after each use between customers to prevent the spread of disease and infections," Anthony said.

The Department of License has not noted any potential animal cruelty instances in this case. When not gnawing on customers feet, the fish were apparently kept in filtered aquariums, which were cleaned regularly.

Still, Anthony says, the practice did not sit well with representatives.

"We felt the fish were being used as tools and there was no way to sanitize them. You can change the water in an aquarium, but you can't clean the fish."

Peridot Nail Salon is the only known establishment in the state that offers the treatment.

"We know this has been seen as a really creative idea and we wanted to get the word out before it catches on to any other salon," Anthony said.

Washington DOL representatives have also been in contact with licensing offices in Arizona, Wyoming and Georgia.

The concern must have spread, even independent of Washington's actions.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation announced today that fish pedicures are no longer permitted in their state, too.

Even though the department has yet to see any salons that offer the treatment, it felt the need to act preemptively, public information officer Susan Stanford said.

"There was a question about cleaning of the tanks and concern with the chemicals that were being used," she said. "Plus, fish shouldn't be living in hot, chlorinated water. There was a concern for patrons, too, and a risk of infection or bacteria."

The Nail and Tan Salon in Alexandria, Va., is thought to be one of the premier establishments to offer the practice, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Approximately 85 "Dr. Fish" customers go for a treatment every day, paying $35 for 15 minutes or $50 for 30 minutes.

Officials at the Washington D.C.-based U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services are not actively researching the practice, but are concerned that the fish are not native to the U.S.

Anthony says the garra rufas at the Washington salon were imported from China.

"When you bring a non-native fish in to this country there is always a question about what would happen if it escaped or was let loose into the wild," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services spokesman Joshua Winchell said.

USFWS is not aware of any garra rufas that have been placed into the wild.

The fish are not endangered, and USFWS has not received any petitions about the animals or the practice.

Still, Winchell says, owners should be aware that it is illegal to import these fish into the country and that if released, they could cause a major off-set to the surrounding ecosystem.

"Anyone who is using these fish should try to be responsible owners and managers of those fish," he said.

"People should make sure that the fish or their eggs aren't being released into the wild or flushed down the toilet. We like to make people aware of this, just to show both the damage they could create, but also prevent."

Tell us what you think about “Fish Pedicures Hit a Snag with State Bans” below. Share your favorite videos by clicking on the ZootooTV tab. Send us your story ideas by e-mailing us at news@zootoo.com or by calling us at 877-777-4204.

The Baltimore Sun contributed to this article.