Vibrio Vulnificus

ProstheticConscience · Feb 16, 2022

Is it really ubiquitous in reef tanks? And how much of a threat does it pose to aquarists?

MnFish1 · Feb 16, 2022

This might be a question for @AquaBiomics - but at least in 1 post in another forum 57 % of tanks had another species of vibrio. As to vulnificans - Hard to say - its totally random - its in the ocean - 100 people can go swimming at a beach and 1 person gets a scratch and gets a serious sepsis. Its why its best practice to assume its there - and use gloves, etc as much as possible - and certainly sanitize hands, etc - after putting your hands in the water. Avoid putting you hand in the water with cuts/scrapes, etc.

ProstheticConscience · Feb 17, 2022

MnFish1 said:
This might be a question for @AquaBiomics - but at least in 1 post in another forum 57 % of tanks had another species of vibrio. As to vulnificans - Hard to say - its totally random - its in the ocean - 100 people can go swimming at a beach and 1 person gets a scratch and gets a serious sepsis. Its why its best practice to assume its there - and use gloves, etc as much as possible - and certainly sanitize hands, etc - after putting your hands in the water. Avoid putting you hand in the water with cuts/scrapes, etc.

It's scary that it can cause a flesh-eating disease. I'm a prospective reef keeper (I'm very interested in coral biology and ecology), but I am also, alas, a bit of a paranoid hypochondriac.

MnFish1 · Feb 17, 2022

By the way I didnt mean to imply that everyone 1/100 people who get a scratch in the ocean where vibrio is will get an infection. There are only RARE reports of vibrio affecting Reefers. There are risks factors for Vibrio though - a good summary article below. BTW - I have had 2 incidences where I needed to go to the ER - for IV antibiotics after a cut on my Arm. in both cases it was caused by strep (or staph) - rather than vibrio. According to the doctor vibrio is 'Very rare' from aquaria. I would not worry about it - just wear gloves - and do not expose any 'open wounds' to your tank water: https://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0815/p539.html