Are parasites in fish tanks harmful to humans?

Question

Just wondering?

Answer 1

NO, there are no parasites oin an aquarium that are harmful to humans. The parasites people can get from fish come from consuming contaminated fish.

MM

Answer 2

They aren't parasites but there are some nasty bacteria that can be a problem for us. Try to keep you hands out of the tank as much as possible, wash your hands thoroughly after you do. Aquarium fish can have internal intestinal worms such as tapeworms and roundworms which I suppose could theoretically be transmitted to humans but this would be very rare to get from an aquarium. Check out this info:

"Aquarium fish are popular pets because they are relatively harmless and predominantly low-maintenance. However, a few clinically relevant features are important in human medicine, particularly if the patient presents with an unusual rash. Several Mycobacterium species, most notably Mycobacterium marinum, have been implicated. These organisms are found in both fresh and saltwater aquariums and even in swimming-pool tiles (7). Typical lesions include skin ulcers, which may appear when a person with a cut hand cleans a fish tank, and "swimming-pool granulomas," which are small papular hand lesions that are not associated with a break in the skin and may become dark and suppurative (21). The incubation period may last 2 to 8 weeks. Diagnosis may be confirmed by cultures of lesions growing acid-fast bacilli. Cultures must be grown at the organisms' preferred temperature of 32°C (89.6°F) rather than the typical 37°C (98.6°F) (7). Fish may have similar lesions. If so, they should be destroyed and the tank cleaned with a mild bleach solution. Although the infection is usually self-limiting in humans, persistent or spreading lesions may require treatment with minocycline (100 mg twice a day for 6 to 8 weeks). Alternative medications for young children include rifampin with TMP-SMZ.

Another very rare infection in humans actually comes not from the fish but from the water in which they are transported. Burkholderia pseudomallei (formerly known as Pseudomonas pseudomallei), the infection of which is clinically known as melioidosis, is a saprophytic organism that has been found in the transport water of exotic fish. A more common organism not often associated with pet fish is Erysipelothrix, which causes the "fish rose" well known to anglers. Local erysipeloid occurs most commonly on the hands and is usually associated with minor skin wounds. The lesion can be readily treated with penicillin (21). "

Answer 3

I'm not going to say that it's impossible for a fish parasite to infect a human but for the type of parasites that might be in your tank it is close enough to impossible. There are a very few wild varieties that might infect a human but these are virtually unheard of to happen in a home aquarium.

Answer 4

$100 is not worth the risk. walmart fish contains a lot of parasite and chemicals that may harm you. Th parasite could go to your organs and you will be hospitalized and of course your bill would reach by the thousand.

Answer 5

I haven't heard of people getting sick and any bacteria that are harmful to humans. Try to wash your hand everytime you touch your tank or any water changing stuff.

Answer 6

chances are, if an organism is harmful to a fish, it is not harmful to humans. there are exceptions though.

Answer 7

if your fish has tuberculosis you can catch it -- as far as i know that is the only thing you can get from a fish.

Answer 8

Less likely....