Best Way To Avoid Possible Fish to Human Diseases?

[JSkeleton]

I already know there will probably be many comments saying it's rare (at least I'd hope it's rare lol), but being someone with a compromised immune system I get a bit sketched out when it comes to health related things.

So the question(s) is(are), how common are Fish To Human Diseases REALLY (honestly), such as Fish TB for one example, and what can I do to make it even more rare if not even next to impossible to happen?

-Are there certain things I can put in my filter?
-Are there certain things to avoid and/or do (I assume the obvious is try to keep it as clean as possible with regular water changes, also to wear gloves)?
-I've heard of UV Sterilizers, is that something that you can run frequently and would that help eliminate disease causing bacteria?
-Are all fish diseases that can transfer to human only via open wounds or also other ways (example: if airborne is possible should a mask help as a preventative)?
-Etc. etc.

I know this may seem crazy or over the top to some, especially those who have been in the hobby for the longest time, but my way of thinking is the old saying "better safe than sorry" and if I can be extra precautious and safe to reduce the (hopefully already rare) risk, then I say that's better than not!

Thanks for bearing with me on this topic!

 

[blaxsun]

I'm allergic to, well - everything - so whenever I remove my hands from the tank I thoroughly scrub with soap and a nylon sponge, and then re-scrub with an aluminum cleaning bar. I do have a UV sterilizer and (new) ozone system on my tank, and I run active carbon in a reactor.

I've yet to run into anything that would cause me grief (other than inadvertently super-glueing my fingers together), but if I notice any obvious cuts or open wounds I glove the affected hands.

 

[MaxTremors]

I think so long as you’re not eating your fish, you’ll be fine. I’d be more concerned about bacterial infections from working in the tank (it can be east to cut/poke yourself when working in a tank). If you’re concerned about it, wear arm length gloves when working in the tank, but otherwise I don’t think it’s anything you need to worry about.

 

[Spare time]

This seems like an @Jay Hemdal kind of question

 

[KrisReef]

Never use a siphon hose around your tank. Get a pump to move water.
Someone mentioned don't eat your fish. It's ok to eat them, just cook them first

And get my favorite tank accessory:

It doesn't match anything in most peoples wardrobe but it does keep your dirty hands out of the fishes tank and the fishes deposits off your hands!

If you can get someone to come service the tank that would also keep you safe.

 

[WheatToast]

I think so long as you’re not eating your fish, you’ll be fine. I’d be more concerned about bacterial infections from working in the tank (it can be east to cut/poke yourself when working in a tank). If you’re concerned about it, wear arm length gloves when working in the tank, but otherwise I don’t think it’s anything you need to worry about.

+1
These should also help with those annoying bristleworm bristles.

 

[JSkeleton]

Never use a siphon hose around your tank. Get a pump to move water.
Someone mentioned don't eat your fish. It's ok to eat them, just cook them first

And get my favorite tank accessory:

It doesn't match anything in most peoples wardrobe but it does keep your dirty hands out of the fishes tank and the fishes deposits off your hands!

If you can get someone to come service the tank that would also keep you safe.

I bought those exact gloves haha

So if not a siphon house, how do you clean your tank? You just don’t clean the substrate? What kind of pump (I’m not familiar as I’ve always used siphon hoses).

I don’t think I’ll be eating this species of fish haha

 

[JSkeleton]

I'm allergic to, well - everything - so whenever I remove my hands from the tank I thoroughly scrub with soap and a nylon sponge, and then re-scrub with an aluminum cleaning bar. I do have a UV sterilizer and (new) ozone system on my tank, and I run active carbon in a reactor.

I've yet to run into anything that would cause me grief (other than inadvertently super-glueing my fingers together), but if I notice any obvious cuts or open wounds I glove the affected hands.

Oh boy I’m sorry to hear that (allergic to so much)! Never heard of an aluminum cleaning bar before.

How does the UV work? I’ve heard vague things. The ozone system is for what exactly? Oxygen or?

 

[JSkeleton]

I think so long as you’re not eating your fish, you’ll be fine. I’d be more concerned about bacterial infections from working in the tank (it can be east to cut/poke yourself when working in a tank). If you’re concerned about it, wear arm length gloves when working in the tank, but otherwise I don’t think it’s anything you need to worry about.

Definitely don’t plan to eat them haha! Got some long gloves from Amazon

 

[KrisReef]

No, I still siphon. I use a typical aquarium vac with a siphon hose. IF I wanted to keep the hose out of my mouth, then I submerge the entire vac & hose in the fish ank, put my gloved hand over end of the hose and carefully lift the bucket end out of the tank and lower it into the bucket to start the vac.

Or, I have a sump pump that I put in the sump and pump the water into the vacuum hose with the vacuum end submerged in the tank. once the Vac is full I slip the end off the sump pump outlet and siphon into a bucket.

 

[MnFish1]

-Are there certain things I can put in my filter?

No.

-Are there certain things to avoid and/or do (I assume the obvious is try to keep it as clean as possible with regular water changes, also to wear gloves)?

Wear thick arm-length gloves.

-I've heard of UV Sterilizers, is that something that you can run frequently and would that help eliminate disease causing bacteria?

No.

-Are all fish diseases that can transfer to human only via open wounds or also other ways (example: if airborne is possible should a mask help as a preventative)?
-Etc. etc.

You can get a skin infection from scraping anything in your tank or from a fish 'spine' - puncturing your skin. Any old break in the skin can cause an infection.

Fortunately - the most common infection you will get is common staph or strep. The more rare ones - Mycobacterium marinium and Vibrio, etc - are just that - rare. But even the common ones can be deadly for an immunosuppressed patient. You can look through some of my posts and see pictures of my misadventures - one of which started with a pin-prick-sized wound while cleaning the glass.

If you're immunosuppressed - wear gloves, thoroughly wash EVERY cut - no matter how small. If there is any sign of spread - go to an emergency room - or MD ASAP (i.e. the same day). Don't be paranoid. Just be careful.

 

[blaxsun]

Oh boy I’m sorry to hear that (allergic to so much)! Never heard of an aluminum cleaning bar before.
How does the UV work? I’ve heard vague things. The ozone system is for what exactly? Oxygen or?

The iron being of course that I'm allergic to shellfish and seafood.
The UV sterilizer works awesome - I'd never run a reef tank again without one. Your water is clearer, cleaner and since running it I've yet to run into any ich or velvet (I don't quarantine my fish, so I'm pretty sure I've introduced something at some point in the last year).

In a nutshell, ozone counteracts organic materials that cause clouding or coloration of water. This results in cleaner, clearer water - yielding healthier, happier reef inhabitants and corals. Here's a good read on it.

The Benefits of Ozone in Aquariums - Ozotech, Inc.

Some of the most fascinating aspects of owning and maintaining an aquarium involve the vivid colors and intriguing shapes of the coral, fish and other living organisms that you select. Whether filled with Boseman’s Rainbowfish, German Blue Rams or Flowerhorn

ozotech.com

 

[JSkeleton]

No.

Wear thick arm-length gloves.

No.

You can get a skin infection from scraping anything in your tank or from a fish 'spine' - puncturing your skin. Any old break in the skin can cause an infection.

Fortunately - the most common infection you will get is common staph or strep. The more rare ones - Mycobacterium marinium and Vibrio, etc - are just that - rare. But even the common ones can be deadly for an immunosuppressed patient. You can look through some of my posts and see pictures of my misadventures - one of which started with a pin-prick-sized wound while cleaning the glass.

If you're immunosuppressed - wear gloves, thoroughly wash EVERY cut - no matter how small. If there is any sign of spread - go to an emergency room - or MD ASAP (i.e. the same day). Don't be paranoid. Just be careful.

What’s the point of a UV then?

Still new to the site and can’t seem to find your posts, just posts you’ve commented on lol

Oh lovely, even the common ones can be that bad for immunocompromised people eh?? I’m super careful but all it takes is that one slip up or touching something that was in contact with the aquarium water. Maybe the wrong hobby for me…*sigh*.

 

[JSkeleton]

The iron being of course that I'm allergic to shellfish and seafood.
The UV sterilizer works awesome - I'd never run a reef tank again without one. Your water is clearer, cleaner and since running it I've yet to run into any ich or velvet (I don't quarantine my fish, so I'm pretty sure I've introduced something at some point in the last year).

In a nutshell, ozone counteracts organic materials that cause clouding or coloration of water. This results in cleaner, clearer water - yielding healthier, happier reef inhabitants and corals. Here's a good read on it.

The Benefits of Ozone in Aquariums - Ozotech, Inc.

Some of the most fascinating aspects of owning and maintaining an aquarium involve the vivid colors and intriguing shapes of the coral, fish and other living organisms that you select. Whether filled with Boseman’s Rainbowfish, German Blue Rams or Flowerhorn

ozotech.com

Oh man xD

And that’s awesome both about the UZ and Ozone, but man, so many separate devices for all of these tasks! I have no idea where to put it all xD

 

[blaxsun]

Oh man xD

And that’s awesome both about the UZ and Ozone, but man, so many separate devices for all of these tasks! I have no idea where to put it all xD

That's what extra room in the tank stand/cabinet is great for. Keep in-mind that a lot of this was acquired over a 2+ year period (I didn't get it all at once). The UV sterilizer is definitely something I recommend - mainly for the tank health.

 

[gibbers]

Never use a siphon hose around your tank. Get a pump to move water.
Someone mentioned don't eat your fish. It's ok to eat them, just cook them first

And get my favorite tank accessory:

It doesn't match anything in most peoples wardrobe but it does keep your dirty hands out of the fishes tank and the fishes deposits off your hands!

If you can get someone to come service the tank that would also keep you safe.

Not sure I could convince my wife. I’m fully convinced but it’s gonna be a hard sell lol

 

[MnFish1]

What’s the point of a UV then?

Still new to the site and can’t seem to find your posts, just posts you’ve commented on lol

Oh lovely, even the common ones can be that bad for immunocompromised people eh?? I’m super careful but all it takes is that one slip up or touching something that was in contact with the aquarium water. Maybe the wrong hobby for me…*sigh*.

I do not think there is a point to a UV - with regards to preventing infection for immunocompromised reefers.

 

[JSkeleton]

I do not think there is a point to a UV - with regards to preventing infection for immunocompromised reefers.

But does a UV not kill a variety of things and therefore keeps the tank healthier and cleaner, and so in theory reduces the chance of disease since the tank is extra healthy? (I’m not sure the entire ins and outs of a UV that’s why I ask)

 

[AydenLincoln]

But does a UV not kill a variety of things and therefore keeps the tank healthier and cleaner, and so in theory reduces the chance of disease since the tank is extra healthy? (I’m not sure the entire ins and outs of a UV that’s why I ask)

It helps keep the water clear and kills things like ich, algae, and other fish diseases. No it’s not for us it’s for the fish or algae etc.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Don’t go boiling rock, eating anything in your tank, and wear gloves and that’s all you can do as a precaution! I always tell people there’s a million other things that could kill or harm us and our tanks are at the very bottom of the list.