Best Fish Spas in Kuala Lumpur

Top Outlets for a Garra Rufa Fish Foot Massage in Malaysia's Capital

Oct 1, 2009

Kuala Lumpur has embraced the Asian craze for pedicures by the Turkish Garra rufa fish. These are the city's top places to feed calloused feet to the fishes.

The practice of tiny toothless fish cleaning off dead skin from feet and other body parts began more than a century ago near Kangal, Turkey. That's where the Garra rufa fish naturally occur in hot springs believed to relieve aches and pains. Only in the past few years have other countries been importing Garra rufa fish from Turkey for therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.

Medical benefits of Garra rufa have been much exaggerated. And government authorities in Singapore and the United States also believe fish spas customers could be infected with others' dermatological disorders, as described in the first part of this series.

For those willing to brave the risks ... the three top-end fish pedicure spas described here look very clean and require customers to wash their feet thoroughly before dunking their feet. The water is constantly filtered. They also have small pools of counterfeit Garra rufa (such as chin chin fish or Nile tilapia) for comparison so that customers can be assured that the genuine articles are doing the actual exfoliation.

These outlets do not offer the cheapest prices for fish massage in Kuala Lumpur. They are for people who want a special outing. With gift certificates, they also make nice presents. Of course, compared to prices for the same treatment in Japan, Europe or North America, they are still inexpensive. As everywhere in Malaysia, the "doctor fish" treatment is offered in combination with a (human) massage or pedicure.

Sampuoton Spa in Petaling Jaya

The most luxurious option is the well-equipped Sampuoton Spa, located in the suburb of Petaling Jaya. It claims to be the country's "first fish therapy designer concept spa." It strives to come close to a traditional spa experience: it is definitely not geared for a quick in-and-out visit in the middle of a shopping spree. It offers packages, such as two hours of fish feet therapy followed by two hours or aromatherapy or Swedish massage. Such a four-hour package would run over 200 ringgit (US $57), but includes lunch. One can choose to bypass the fish treatment altogether and just undergo the more familiar massages.

Sampuoton has two large circular pools full of Garra rufa: one for women; the other used by both men and women. This may be the only venue in Malaysia offering the full-body treatment, as can be seen on the website. Everyone is required to shower beforehand. Customers who don't bring their own bathing suits can borrow one.

Price: Depends on the package, but count on at least 100 ringgit for two hours of Garra rufa treatment.

Fish Spa at KLCC Aquarium

More suited to families is the Aquazone. It seems to be run by adjacent Aquaria, the very worthwhile aquarium located in KLCC, the convention center located near the Petronas Towers.

Aquazone’s 38 ringgit (US$ 10) price for a 30-minute Garra rufa treatment is average for Kuala Lumpur. There is a discount for those purchasing a single ticket to both the Aquaria and Aquazone but it’s tiny: 68 ringgit combination ticket for a foreign adult includes the usual 38 ringgit entrance fee to the Aquaria. For children and adults with Malaysian ID cards, the savings are better. But the real winners are senior citizens (over age 60) of any nationality: 37 ringgit covers entrance to both the Aquaria (usually 18 ringgit) and Aquazone (37 ringgit).

Price: 38 ringgit for a 30 minutes for a foreign adult; 26 ringgit for a Malaysian adult.

Garra Rufa Fish Therapy Spa

While not up to the Sampuoton level of comforts, Garra Rufa Fish Therapy in Kuala Lumpur's Bangsar area has a calm decor, dark wooden seating and subtle lighting. The prices are about the same as the better-known Kenko outlets, but the ambiance is more relaxing. Everyone dips their feet into the same long pool, however.

The copyright of the article Best Fish Spas in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia Travel is owned by Susan Cunningham. Permission to republish Best Fish Spas in Kuala Lumpur in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.