Is it possible to spread any kind of bacteria and/or fungus/diseases to fish from putting your hands in the water? I was trying to figure out how my two orandas and lionhead got a fungus outbreak of some kind (which is now almost totally gone thanks to meds and daily water changes) and that thought came to mind since their water and all combining components have been pristine and stable. Could I have given them something? I feel bad! I knew to wash my hands before and after being in the water and cleaning, but of course I had to go and forget here and there. Not anymore though.

well, you can possibly have something bad on your hands that can affect your fish like lotions or something that could be bad for the water but i dont know if you can carry fungus from your hands into the tank. To be safe i a would wash my hands before i would put my hands in the tank.

I think that washing up before and after is very good practise - just make absolutely sure to rinse well, as soap of any kind could kill your fish. Dana.

i imagine the only way your fish would get fungus is if you handle another fish with fungus, but i suspect bacteria is alot easier to transfer