The danger in your fishtank: Researchers say humans could catch killer diseases from tropical fish

If you keep tropical fish in tanks at home or at work you may be at risk from bacterial infections and life-threatening diseases.
A study from Oregon State University has discovered a ‘disturbing’ amount of tropical fish are already resistant to antibiotics.
This means fish being transported from foreign countries are carrying bacterial infections that cannot be treated and can spread to humans.

When tropical fish are transported from abroad the stressful environment can cause bacterial infections and diseases which can then be passed to humans

Antibiotics are commonly used when fish are transported from overseas to stop bacterial infections and diseases developing when the fish get stressed.

HOW DO FISH DISEASES AFFECT HUMANS

Pseudomonas can lead to pneumonia and cause damage to lung tissue.

If it gets into an open wound it can also lead to septic shock.
The bacteria can survive for several days on unwashed surfaces.
Staphylococcus can infect hair follicles and causes other skin infections including the extremely contagious impetigo.
It can also cause styes, boils and lead to septicaemia.
If the bacteria gets into food it causes sickness and diarrhea.

In the study, published by the Journal of Fish Diseases, 32 freshwater fish of various species were tested for resistance to nine different drugs.
The fish came from Colombia, Singapore and Florida, and were tested in Portland, Oregon.
There was a resistance found to every antibiotic, and 77 per cent of the fish were resistant to the most common antibiotic, tetracycline.

 

'We expected to find some antibiotic resistance, but it was surprising to find such high levels’ said Tim Miller-Morgan, a veterinary aquatics specialist with Oregon State University.
The bacterial infections found in the fish during the study included Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus.
Both bacteria can also affect humans.

The popularity of clown fish in the UK has soared since the Finding Nemo film. However, many tropical and marine fish are carrying bacteria when they're transported because they are resistant to antibiotics

Although the study claims the passing of diseases between fish and humans is rare, people who own or work with tropical fish and those with poor immune systems are most at risk.
To avoid the risk, Miller-Morgan says you should only buy healthy fish and avoid cleaning tanks with open cuts or sores on your skin.
If a fish gets sick, remove it from the tank.
You should also quarantine any new fish in a separate tank for 30 days.
Always wash hands when working with fish, and never use antibiotics in a fish tank unless you have been told to do so by a vet.