The Problem with Fish Tanks

By: Lillian Lopez

The United States ornamental fish industry is growing at an obscurely fast rate.  As the years go by more and more aquariums are inhabiting homes across the nation.  Ornamental fish are imported in mass, from countries like Asia, Australia, and Singapore (Rose et al, 2013).  Because these fish are produced in huge quantities it is difficult for husbandry to regulate the treatments administered to them for the prevention of bacterial diseases.  Bacterial diseases in ornamental fish are acquired from the microbiota found either on their skin or in the water they are transported in.

 

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These bacteria are inevitably showing a growth in resistance to the inappropriately used antibiotics in this industry.  This is supported by several articles published by the Journal of Fish Diseases, one of which was able to identify bacteria found in these environments through genome sequencing  (Rose et al, 2013).  Examples of virulent antibiotic resistant bacteria identified in this study by genera were Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus; both notorious for causing infectious diseases in fish and in humans.  This is a concern for immunocompromised individuals who happen to care for their pet fish with their bare hands leaving them susceptible for infection  (Rose et al, 2013).  Exotic ornamental fish should be admired for their colorful scales and unique fins but this should be done so through the barrier of the aquarium walls. 

Original article:  Rose S., Hill R., Bermudez L. E., Miller Morgan T.  2013.  Imported ornamental fish are colonized with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  Journal of Fish Diseases 36, 533–542