My 2-year-old daughter loves fish. From Elmo’s goldfish, Dorothy to Nemo and more recently, some flying fish she saw Diego save a few weeks back. Her fascination with fish (and sea creatures in general) prompted me to take her to Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium for her birthday. It also had me seriously considering purchasing an aquarium for her room. That is, until I did some research and found a study about the hazards of having a home aquarium.
What could be so dangerous about housing a few colorful fish, and perhaps a miniature castle for them to swim in and out of? Apparently a lot, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Workers in the United States have received several reports of salmonella (a bacteria that resides in the intestinal tract of animals) infections from reptile terrariums, while medical officials in Australia report that a number of children have been hospitalized after contracting infections from their fish tanks. Even more disturbing, the strain of salmonella found in Australia is resistant to antibiotics.
The C.D.C is warning aquarium owners to follow safety tips when taking care of their fish and washing their tanks. For example, workers say it’s best to wash fish tanks, bowls, and accessories outside. If that’s not possible and you are forced to clean your fish tank in your kitchen or bathroom sink, be sure you thoroughly clean the sinks and the counter tops with a mild bleach solution to get rid of any trace of germs. What’s more, make sure you wash your hands each time you touch the inside of your fish bowl or aquarium. This is especially critical for children under the age of five. Studies show that young children are more susceptible to contracting an infection because their immune systems are not fully developed. The C.D.C also advises parents to watch their children and make sure they aren’t dipping their hands into the aquarium or fish bowl. It’s not just good for them… or the fish.
I don’t know about you, but after finding out there may be more than just fish swimming around aquariums, I have decided to put the idea of purchasing one on hold (at least until my daughter is a bit older). For now she’ll have to be content with our weekly visits to the pet store.