Fish SPA in Sabah -Tagal Sungai Moroli, Kg Luanti Baru

Fish spa “Tagal Sungai Moroli, Kg Luanti Baru” in the Moroli River of Kampong Luanti in Ranau, Sabah is so unique and different. It’s the only one of its kind.

Fish spa or fish pedicure normally is the patrons dipping the feet into a tub of water filled with a small fish called Garra rufa or “Doctor Fish”, the fish then eat away the dead skin on the feet.

Garra rufa are small native fish originated in Middle fish and have been used as a treatment for skin diseases.

In Moroli River, kampong Luanti in Ranau, the fish spa  that eat away the death skin is called “Garap” and “Lontong” and the spa is referred as “Tagal Sungai Moroli, Kampong Luanti Baru.”

However, “Tagal Sungai Moroli” does not reflect the meaning of fish spa as it means “no fishing” in local Kadazan-Dusun dialect as to preserve the environment and the ecosystem for the future generation.

 

Moroli River has as many as 10 species of different fish living in the 3 km long catchment area. The two major species which eating away the dead skin on the foot are the “Garap” and “Lontong”, in local Dusun langauage, scientific name for Garap is Tor tambroides.

Moroli is a Rocky River originating from the jungle area in the foot of Mount Kinabalu. The water is unpolluted, cool and clear.

The fishes here live in the natural habitat, swim freely in the Moroli River and lose its fear of people. 

The large group of “Garap” and “Lontong” swim together in a synchronized fashion, moving in the same direction simultaneously. They started sucking, nibbling and began eating away the dead skin on the foot without hurting as soon as you walk into the river.

The size of the fish is about 30 – 35 cm long with an estimated weight of about a kilogram and is toothless. They came in immediately when feeding with pellets. They are so tame that one could stroke gently and caught them easily.

 

Located in Kampung Luanti Baru, Ranau, 131 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu, 18 km away from Ranau Eown and 20 km away from Mt. KInabalu; “Tagal Sg Moroli, Kampong Luanti Baru” fish spa is managed by JKK Kampung Luanti lead by Mr. Jeffrin Majangki.

The fish pellets are packed in a small plastic and is RM1. 

Operating hour is from 9 am to 5 pm daily.

The entrance fees are as follows:

i. RM5 for foot only-RM5 for Malaysians and International; and

ii. Full body - RM10 for Malaysians and RM25 FOR International.