Video: State kills fish pedicures in salons

Larger screen

SEATTLE – The state has determined that the use of fish in state-licensed salons to perform pedicure-like services is illegal because it’s unsanitary.

The Department of Licensing began investigating following reports that the Peridot Nail Salon in Kent was offering the unusual pedicure, which has become a hit on the east coast and in Asia.

Hundreds of tiny, toothless chin chin fish nibble the dead skin off your feet, leaving them soft and smooth.

DOL officials say they watched the procedure for themselves and after reviewing state law, ordered the owners to stop because state law requires all tools used in a pedicure to be sanitized, disinfected, or disposed of after each service.

"These fish are being used as tools, and we do not believe you can properly sanitize a live fish and guarantee it doesn't spread diseases, germs, or other infections,” said Liz Luce, Director of the Department of Licensing in a statement.

DOL says since the salon cannot directly sanitize the fish, they cannot be used.

All salons statewide are being informed.