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Diseases You Can Get From a Home Aquarium

Aquariums generally pose little threat to their owners. However, people with compromised immune systems can contract bacterial and protozoan infections if they ingest aquarium water or have direct skin-to-skin contact with a sick fish. People who are elderly, pregnant, HIV-positive or undergoing chemotherapy should avoid prolonged contact with aquarium water, and follow common-sense precautions regarding the handling and care of aquarium equipment.

  1. Fish Tuberculosis

    • FishLore, a renowned aquarium information website, states that Mycobacterium marinum, or fish tuberculosis, is one of the most common zoonotic illnesses contracted from aquarium fish. George Mason University notes that this illness generally affects open wounds that have directly contacted infected fish.

    Erysipelothrix

    • Erysipelothrix, also called "fish-handler's disease" is rarely seen in aquarium hobbyists. It is generally limited to career fishermen and butchers. It causes diamond-shaped welts on the skin and requires treatment with antibiotics.

    Mad Fish Disease

    • This variety of streptococcus is usually seen in tilapia and other cichlids. While it has never been documented in a home aquarium, it does present a potential risk to immunocompromised fish-keepers. Humans can contract mad fish disease as a skin infection if an open wound directly contacts infected water.

    Vibrio

    • The bacteria strains Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio damsela may infect open wounds that contact aquarium water. Rarely, these may spread to other systems and cause serious complications. Aquarists may also contract two other strains--Vibrio vulnificus (systemic, wound and gastroenteritis infections) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (wound and gastroenteritis infections)--after accidentally ingesting aquarium water.

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