Salmonella in fish tanks?

[gale]

I was reading up on whether I should get my 9 yo a frog habitat for christmas. I found a few articles that said frogs (as well as reptiles, which was long known) can carry salmonella. One of the articles was at the aquamaniacs site and was about ADF and ACF which can carry salmonella. I was thinking about how at the lfs all of the tanks probably use the same filtration so all have the same bacteria and such. Obviously I wash my hands after putting them in the water and make sure my kids do the same. However I do splash water around sometimes when I'm doing a PWC or cleaning up or whatever and I don't generally worry about it. I have a towel that I just wipe my hands on and leave near the fishtank and after a few times of wiping I throw it in the laundry. Is this something I need to be more concerned about? I have a 5 yo, a 7yo and a 9yo.

btw I decided not to get my 9yo the frog. She's really not responsible enough to keep one, I don't think, not to mention remembering to wash her hands every time she touches the frog or inside of the tank. I'll get her a betta tank instead and I will do the maintenance on it.

 

[CatLover]

I don't think you need to worry. Personally, I have never considered the salmonella problem as a valid reason to stop keeping reptiles and amphibians. Tons of people are paranoid because of that, and I know many people who do not believe there is just a possibility their pet could be carrying it, but that every single reptile and amphibian on earth has it. It's ignorant.

Iguanas, geckos, frogs, salamanders, etc., make wonderful pets if cared for properly. Like most animals, it's always best to get them from a specialized breeder, but that's not always possible. However, just because you heard an animal can carry or contract something, do not let that stop you from getting one if that's really the animal you would love to have.

Dogs can have mange, birds can carry disease, and humans can have rabies. Yet tons of people have dogs, birds, and well, you are human, and everyone is ok.

I think it's a good idea you decided against getting the frog since you realized your child can't care for it - and who wants a frog when you can have a betta
But don't worry about your fish being diseased or carrying something because of aquatic frogs. The chances of that happening are way too low. But that doesn't mean you should stop washing your hands before and after tank mantenance

 

[sylvia]

I agree with all that

But I'd like to point out that my little brother caught salmonella from a very hard-boiled egg so you should be more aware of the problems with the food we eat than with the healthy fish in your tank

Fish can catch and carry salmonella but it's not a reason to worry as has already been said as the chances of you then contracting it (or them getting it in the first place) are low.

 

[bshockstubb]

My salamaders had salmonella. My mom just made me watch my hands everytime i fed them or cleaned them. I once caught it, it made me sick for the entire week, but it made me listen to my mom from then on. You would just have to watch it and make it a routine that you wash your hands everytime you touch the frog ect. If you do that, there wont be any problems. Aphipans are an execellent pet. They might not be the cuddlest pet alive but they are fun to watch. You may have to tell your kid that.

 

[moneywastedonfish]

don't worry too much as there are bacteria like salomonella everywhere, and as stated it is more likely to come from food than your fish.
Get your kids the frog or a fish or..... something, it will be educational and they may gain things like responsibility, caring etc. I think the pros definatlely outweight the slight chance that you or your kids will get sick, also they will have learnt about animals with you so will know its not okay to 'taste' the little frogy there friend has brought to school for example.

 

[SRC]

You should wash your hands everytime after having them in aquarium water...regardless. Would you clean the litter box and not wash your hands afterwards? I didn't think so lol. Yucko..fish poop hehe.