Wow...this is a question that goes to the heart of fish tank lore, urban myth, and misinformation.
TB is a bacterial infedtion, which in humans, is a serious problem.
The bacteria responsible for FISH TB is not the same bacteria, has no relationship to human TB, does not have similar symptoms, is NOT life threatening to humans...etc. etc. etc.
Here are things I do when I work on my Tanks, cook dinner for hundreds of people, just bang around in buildings, groups, etc.
Wash My Hands when finished with an anti bacterial soap; use hand sanitizer often; wash my hands often; do not stick my fingers in my mouth or eyes; etc etc. Universal precautions !!!
If you have cuts or open wounds on your hands or arms I would not be reaching into an organically charged tank, without a good scrub afterward.
AllRIGHTY THEN...the whole myth comes from the term "Aquarium Finger" or an infection of the hobbyist's finger from putting his hands in the tank with a cut or sore and having a bacterial infection result.
BOTTOM LINE...WASH YOUR HANDS.
Regards,
Jay
