The plant and animal kingdom is full of examples of symbiotic relations where both living organisms derive benefit from each other. For example, in school, we read that birds feed on food pieces stuck in crocodile’s teeth. This way the crocodile gets a free dental floss and the bird gets food.
Other examples include bees helping flowers to pollinate while collecting honey, clown fish living in sea anemone and protecting each other from predators, fungi on plants roots that help plants get phosphate and nitrogenous compounds in return for food supply. Humans too have a mutualistic relationship with bacteria living in their intestines that assist digestion.
A few days back I discovered a new relationship between human and fishes. No, not humans eating fish (can’t see how the fish would benefit from that!). It’s the age old fish therapy for a softer and smoother skin that originated in Turkey. So, as part of this symbiotic relation and coming closer to nature, I was urged on by my friends to dip my feet in a tank of 300 live fishes who feasted off the dead skin on my feet. True to their name, Doctor Fish got down to business quickly biting off the crusty and flaky skin. I must admit I was very scared initially, but later it felt like tiny machines working on my feet. I later found out that these species of fish are found in Turkey and are also used to cure skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema. Another unique health cure and another symbiotic relation that I liked!
Other examples include bees helping flowers to pollinate while collecting honey, clown fish living in sea anemone and protecting each other from predators, fungi on plants roots that help plants get phosphate and nitrogenous compounds in return for food supply. Humans too have a mutualistic relationship with bacteria living in their intestines that assist digestion.
A few days back I discovered a new relationship between human and fishes. No, not humans eating fish (can’t see how the fish would benefit from that!). It’s the age old fish therapy for a softer and smoother skin that originated in Turkey. So, as part of this symbiotic relation and coming closer to nature, I was urged on by my friends to dip my feet in a tank of 300 live fishes who feasted off the dead skin on my feet. True to their name, Doctor Fish got down to business quickly biting off the crusty and flaky skin. I must admit I was very scared initially, but later it felt like tiny machines working on my feet. I later found out that these species of fish are found in Turkey and are also used to cure skin diseases like psoriasis and eczema. Another unique health cure and another symbiotic relation that I liked!
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