SEATTLE - A local entrepreneur who specializes in fish pedicures says he plans to seek an injunction to stop Washington state from banning the unusual beauty treatment in beauty salons.

The state Department of Licensing has determined that the pedicures are unsanitary and therefore in violation of state law, and is notifying all state-licensed salons about its determination this week.

But entrepreneur Jeremy Selg said he is disappointed in what he calls the state's "kneejerk" reaction to fish pedicures, which allow customers to soak their feet in a tank of toothless fish that eat dead skin cells.

He says the fish are "completely harmless, unable to transmit disease and we are confident that our research will show this to be true." He has invested thousands of dollars in a new patented fish pedicure system.

The unusual beauty treatment is becoming more popular across the United States, and a salon in Kent recently began offering the pedicures. Since then, hundreds of satisfied customers had received the treatment.

Salon co-owner Tweety Bui said she had hundreds more customers signed up for the pedicures, and can't understand the state's ban.

"I am very shocked and disappointed because I think the state, before they can come out and say no, they should do a more thorough investigation, because it's being used worldwide and other states are allowing it," she said.

Selg agreed with her.

"We're very disappointed (in the fish pedicure ban)," Selg said. "I think the state's decision is kind of based off of ... a lack of information or misinformation."

He said he has developed a patented new fish pedicure system using the fish species Garra Rufa. He said the species possesses an enzyme called Dithranol that helps alleviate free radicals in the skin and has been used to treat psoriasis.

"This is the fish we strongly recommend to all of our customers, as they will never grow beyond a couple of inches long, and never grow teeth," he said.

He said they the fish are completely harmless and incapable of transmitting disease.

"Our system was designed to address all of the possible concerns that a regulatory agency such as the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology will be concerned about," he said.

In addition to seeking an injunction against the fish pedicure ban, Selg said he will be "pursuing further legal action with a petition to allow this treatment based off of fact and not misinformation."

But state officials say Washington state law requires all tools and implements used in a pedicure to be sanitized, disinfected, or disposed of after each service to protect salon customers from the possibility of disease and infections.

"We are greatly concerned about the safety of salon customers who choose to put their feet in a tank of live fish to eat away dead skin," said Liz Luce, Director of the Department of Licensing.

"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," she added.

Officials made their decision after visiting Peridot Nail Salon in Kent last week and seeing the operation firsthand, said Christine Anthony of the state Department of Licensing.