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Posted by Richard Sexton on March 10, 2005, 2:27 pm
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>Are we potentially exposing indigenous fish to mutated bacteria that
>they otherwise would never have been exposed to? Most aquarists know
>they aren't supposed to flush dead fish but how many people either do
>it anyway or don't know better? I know I flushed several fish back in
>the day before I understood the consequences. Actually, I'm still not
>certain of the consequences. Can these bacteria even exist in the cold
>salty waters off Massachusetts or other parts of the world?
Not as far as I know. Columaris cannot live in saltwater. Of
course chaos theory says it *could* happen.
The greater risk if there is any way, by sharing plants, fish
or even an infected net, is spread to another hobbyists
tanks. Say you take some plants to a store, while the bug can't
live on them for long it can for a while and it if infects
the store and then all tanks it quickly cascades out of control
potentially infecting everybodys tanks.
Now, this is unlikely but not impossible. But then look at
things like glugea, aids, what have you, all unlikely but...
Now, columnaris, in the worst case will just make fish
sick or die. The larger problem s mycobacteria that
can be speread to humans; it is hard to kill and
somewhere near 95% of all imported fish have it
as did the author of the warning posted here:
http://aquaria.net/articles/meds/antibiotics/warning/wright/
It was hard, long and expensive to cure.
Harro points out one man did die from it:
http://aquaria.net/articles/meds/antibiotics/warning/harro/
So, geiven that mycobacteria is nearly everywhere
and that aquarists are feverishly dosing randomly with
antibiotics, in effect, trying to create resistant strains
and that it does indeed kill people I cannot see
why anybody would advocate the use of antibiotics in aquairia,
ever.
Moreso, regarding your question of "can it live in salt
water" notice the name of the bug: Mycobacteria *marinum".
If we as aquarists do something about this now, it may never
become a big deal. Look at the snake hobby though, a few
irresponsible giant python owners were killed and they're
now banned in New York state. Under the wrong set of
circumstances, say a congressmans or senators son
catches fish TB it would not surprise me if what is now
a minor issue in the ornamental fish trade could become a bona fide
pulic health and safety issue. And those are the exact words
that get laws passed. We don't want to go there.
How many more have to die before this point is driven home?
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>they otherwise would never have been exposed to? Most aquarists know
>they aren't supposed to flush dead fish but how many people either do
>it anyway or don't know better? I know I flushed several fish back in
>the day before I understood the consequences. Actually, I'm still not
>certain of the consequences. Can these bacteria even exist in the cold
>salty waters off Massachusetts or other parts of the world?