Fish Tanks Portland ME

Swimming with the Fishes

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By Sarah Forbes

Setting up an aquarium seems like an easy way to have pets at home—for one thing, you never have to walk a fish—but recent research hints that the fish tank may not be as harmless as it seems. Results of a new study indicate that tropical fish tanks often harbor a treasure trove of multi-drug-resistant strains of salmonella. Microbiologists from several Australian universities questioned 53 patients suffering from gastroenteritis and found that 60 percent of them had contact with an aquarium before becoming ill. Then the scientists compared the Salmonella paratyphi B isolates from these patients to the isolates found in their aquariums, and they turned out to be identical.

An estimated 12 million American families have fish tanks in their homes, but most have no idea that aquariums create an ideal incubator for bacteria, nor do the folks at your pet store, so forgive them for not mentioning the salmonella risk when you pick up your tank and accessories. Salmonella poses a special danger to children, so take these precautions: Don’t clean the tank in the kitchen or bathroom sink; don’t let your kids play in the aquarium water or with the rocks or gravel; and make sure to wash your and your children’s hands well after contact with the fish or their water. And just maybe think about getting a cat instead.

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