How dangerous are zoanthids?

GT3 · 11/23/2010, 02:49 PM

I bought some zoanthids from LFS but I heard they will release a toxic slim that is harmful to humans!? Should I still keep this coral!? I have moved him to different spots in the tank but haven't noticed problems yet.

100%hydrophylic · 11/23/2010, 02:59 PM

they are dangerous........ if you blend them up and drink a zoanthid smoothie...

really, the only time they are dangerous is when they are out of the tank or when you are fragging them

when you are fragging them they can squirt, so wear goggles and wash your hands afterward. i think the main story i have heard of something dying because of zoanthids is someones dog died after the person left a frag on the table and the dog ate it. sooo keep pets and small children away from frag stations (which i would assume you would do regardless because alll of the sharp instruments)

basically just wash your hands after handling zoanthids. if you have slime on your finger and decide to lick your fingers because you got thanksgiving gravy all over your hand, you could have some problems. ORRR if you have a gaping wound because you were carving the thanksgiving turkey and missed and almost cut your finger off, i wouldnt be messing with the zoanthids. could get some nasties (including zoanthid toxins) in the cut. actually, i wouldnt really be messing with he tank at all lol.

Oh and also i have heard that only some produce highly dangerous forms of the palytoxin (i think thats what they are called). others are more mild

thegrun · 11/23/2010, 03:51 PM

+1, be aware that there is a risk, but for most of us, it is small. Some people are less tolerant of the poison, so assume you are until proven otherwise. If you do develop a strange rash or swelling, seek medical attention and be sure to let the doctor know that you have been working with corals. Do wear gloves whenever you are directly working with zoas and goggles if you take them out of the water.

Genetics · 11/23/2010, 03:56 PM

Never a bad idea to have gloves on hand while fragging. Getting scrapes with the toxins can be just as bad for your health.

Sk8r · 11/23/2010, 03:57 PM

Wear latex exam gloves (supermarket or drug store) when working with ANY coral. It's nicer for you AND for the coral. Our hands are rough on them.

You can become sensitized to corals, and the gloves also help remove that risk. Otherwise---a very safe hobby. We just paid a 200.00 ER charge for one of us getting hit in the eye by euphorbia juice, actually a potentially serious accident: and that's a common garden plant.

DustinB · 11/23/2010, 04:17 PM

From what I have seen, this effect seems to vary from person to person as well. Kind of like a bee sting. A couple stings may not hurt one person, but a single sting may hurt the next. Yet a bunch of stings will hurt anyone.

For example, I have messed with zoas with open cuts on my hands and even gotten a little squirt in the eye with no ill effects. I have seen other people with dried cuts on their hands end up getting bad rashes and feeling woozy after handling, or people having bad effects from getting it in their eyes.

As for general handling, all is good advice above.

scottsdale454ss · 11/23/2010, 05:37 PM

Thats weird neither of my lfs's ever told me anything about them being poisonous

TRENT_G · 11/23/2010, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottsdale454ss

Thats weird neither of my lfs's ever told me anything about them being poisonous

Same here, Thankful for forums.

GT3 · 11/23/2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottsdale454ss

Thats weird neither of my lfs's ever told me anything about them being poisonous

Guess they are trying to sell out that coral.

ludnix · 11/23/2010, 06:14 PM

It's probably because not all zoanthids have palytoxin, and unless you plan on eating them it's unlikely you're going have a problem.

DustinB · 11/23/2010, 06:18 PM

You really think someone trying to sell you something is going to tell you they are "poisonous"? Aside from that, like ludnix pointed out, you're not very likely to have a problem.

HanoverFist · 11/24/2010, 12:26 AM

Also, I read someone on forums here has lost their dog because it drank water contaminated with palytoxin.

rogerwilco357 · 11/24/2010, 03:24 AM

almost all the corals release some kind of toxins you should wear gloves when handling them and when out use glasses just in case . always wash hands after handling .

kichimark · 11/24/2010, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerwilco357

almost all the corals release some kind of toxins you should wear gloves when handling them and when out use glasses just in case . always wash hands after handling .

+1. I wouldn't worry about zoanthids and palys. Just remember when you touch them to wash your hands and when you frag wear eye protections.

11/23/2010, 02:49 PM	#1
GT3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 294	How dangerous are zoanthids? I bought some zoanthids from LFS but I heard they will release a toxic slim that is harmful to humans!? Should I still keep this coral!? I have moved him to different spots in the tank but haven't noticed problems yet. __________________ 20G Reef Tank, DSB, 25lbs of live rocks. Spec: Ph 8.2, >520 cal and 8 kh, Temp 77F, SG 1.026 Equip: Coralife 24x2 T5HO, 2x Koralia 425 powerheads, no skimmer. 2L HOB Sump: Cheato, feather dusters, copepods, bristleworms Livestock: 4 blue-legged hermits, 2 nassarius snails, 1 astra snail, 1 Argent Mono, 1 FireGoby Corals: Mushrooms, yellow polyps, zoanthids

11/23/2010, 02:59 PM	#2
100%hydrophylic Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: GA Posts: 1,636	they are dangerous........ if you blend them up and drink a zoanthid smoothie... really, the only time they are dangerous is when they are out of the tank or when you are fragging them when you are fragging them they can squirt, so wear goggles and wash your hands afterward. i think the main story i have heard of something dying because of zoanthids is someones dog died after the person left a frag on the table and the dog ate it. sooo keep pets and small children away from frag stations (which i would assume you would do regardless because alll of the sharp instruments) basically just wash your hands after handling zoanthids. if you have slime on your finger and decide to lick your fingers because you got thanksgiving gravy all over your hand, you could have some problems. ORRR if you have a gaping wound because you were carving the thanksgiving turkey and missed and almost cut your finger off, i wouldnt be messing with the zoanthids. could get some nasties (including zoanthid toxins) in the cut. actually, i wouldnt really be messing with he tank at all lol. Oh and also i have heard that only some produce highly dangerous forms of the palytoxin (i think thats what they are called). others are more mild __________________ :) Current Tank Info: 75g mixed reef, 28g nano SPS Last edited by 100%hydrophylic; 11/23/2010 at 03:13 PM.

11/23/2010, 03:56 PM	#4
Genetics Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ontario, Ohio Posts: 4,937	Never a bad idea to have gloves on hand while fragging. Getting scrapes with the toxins can be just as bad for your health. __________________ Nate Current Tank Info: 15g Waterbox cube

11/23/2010, 03:57 PM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Wear latex exam gloves (supermarket or drug store) when working with ANY coral. It's nicer for you AND for the coral. Our hands are rough on them. You can become sensitized to corals, and the gloves also help remove that risk. Otherwise---a very safe hobby. We just paid a 200.00 ER charge for one of us getting hit in the eye by euphorbia juice, actually a potentially serious accident: and that's a common garden plant. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/23/2010, 06:14 PM	#10
ludnix Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Posts: 3,031	It's probably because not all zoanthids have palytoxin, and unless you plan on eating them it's unlikely you're going have a problem. __________________ -Eric Sutter Current Tank Info: 14g Biocube

11/23/2010, 03:51 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	+1, be aware that there is a risk, but for most of us, it is small. Some people are less tolerant of the poison, so assume you are until proven otherwise. If you do develop a strange rash or swelling, seek medical attention and be sure to let the doctor know that you have been working with corals. Do wear gloves whenever you are directly working with zoas and goggles if you take them out of the water.

11/23/2010, 04:17 PM	#6
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	From what I have seen, this effect seems to vary from person to person as well. Kind of like a bee sting. A couple stings may not hurt one person, but a single sting may hurt the next. Yet a bunch of stings will hurt anyone. For example, I have messed with zoas with open cuts on my hands and even gotten a little squirt in the eye with no ill effects. I have seen other people with dried cuts on their hands end up getting bad rashes and feeling woozy after handling, or people having bad effects from getting it in their eyes. As for general handling, all is good advice above.

11/23/2010, 05:37 PM	#7
scottsdale454ss Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 194	Thats weird neither of my lfs's ever told me anything about them being poisonous

11/23/2010, 06:18 PM	#11
DustinB Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 1,532	You really think someone trying to sell you something is going to tell you they are "poisonous"? Aside from that, like ludnix pointed out, you're not very likely to have a problem.

11/24/2010, 12:26 AM	#12
HanoverFist Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 626	Also, I read someone on forums here has lost their dog because it drank water contaminated with palytoxin.

11/24/2010, 03:24 AM	#13
rogerwilco357 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: michigan Posts: 1,391	almost all the corals release some kind of toxins you should wear gloves when handling them and when out use glasses just in case . always wash hands after handling . __________________ hook line and sinker Current Tank Info: 2x2x4 120gal,sump45 gal.RKE controller,ATI Powermodule 8x80watt,1MP20+2MP40,1 mp10,RoyalExclusive Alpha200

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