Parasites and LFS Countertops

[FrenchAngel]

Hi all! Was wondering if any of you worry about picking up parasites like marine ich or velvet when purchasing items like food at the LFS. So very often the counters at the cash registers are wet with water from their fish systems from bagged fish laying on top. Of course you could wipe off the food packages to make sure they are dry to try to eliminate a possible threat. But I do wonder if ich theronts could survive being placed in the freezer (such as going into dormant state). Ich theronts survive for only a day if I remember correctly at normal tank temperatures, but maybe they would last longer if frozen (if they could withstand these temperatures). It would be terrible if you took your food out the freezer and thawed it only to release awakened theronts into your display tank at feeding time. Maybe I am being paranoid, but I just thought I would ask.

 

[tiggs]

I think it would be a crazy long shot to pick up anything that way. Not only would they have to survive, but the theronts would have to get mixed in with your food, equipment, tank, etc somehow.

 

[wesman42]

You'd be more likely to personally pick up a mycobacterium marinum infection this way than parasites being transferred to livestock.

 

[Brew12]

Agreed that this is not likely to be a concern. Making sure the package is dry prior to putting it in the freezer, and washing your hands, should be enough.

 

[Victoria M]

Hi all! Was wondering if any of you worry about picking up parasites like marine ich or velvet when purchasing items like food at the LFS. So very often the counters at the cash registers are wet with water from their fish systems from bagged fish laying on top. Of course you could wipe off the food packages to make sure they are dry to try to eliminate a possible threat. But I do wonder if ich theronts could survive being placed in the freezer (such as going into dormant state). Ich theronts survive for only a day if I remember correctly at normal tank temperatures, but maybe they would last longer if frozen (if they could withstand these temperatures). It would be terrible if you took your food out the freezer and thawed it only to release awakened theronts into your display tank at feeding time. Maybe I am being paranoid, but I just thought I would ask.

It is a long shot, highly improbable, probably impossible. but interesting because that is exactly how other infections spread. No idea if theronts tolerate freezing.