reef related battle wounds (on you, not your fish)

doody · 02/24/2006, 11:13 PM

I wanna hear stories and see pics of your worst reefrelated injury. Yeah, I know I'm some kind of freak but it could be a lessen for some, and just entertaining for others like me.

Blown 346 · 02/24/2006, 11:18 PM

I dont have any pics, but when I worked at my LFS I was moving zoos while cleaning and I got stung by them a few times in my fingers. Mu fingers and part of my arm turned red like a rash, started to burn and I had a few pains for a day or so.

Just recently I was taking out small frags of my Kenya tree coral after it was budding off new little ones, and My Liverock stung me on my forearm. I had a red bumpy rash that itched like the dickens for about a week.
Now I will always wear gloves.

doody · 02/24/2006, 11:21 PM

See. Now some newbee knows not to handle rock bare handed.

I had no Idea that zoos could do that. I read they could sting, but wow.

chrismunn · 02/24/2006, 11:27 PM

just been burnt in open cuts. it always creeps on me too. it never hurts right away, but always like a few minutes after i rinse and dry my hands and arms. never any big bad rashes though, just a minor burning sensation.

Carman34L · 02/24/2006, 11:34 PM

Zoanthids, and Palythoas can kill you. Palythoas carry a Palytoxin, which is one of the deadliest toxins on the planet.

Philip · 02/24/2006, 11:41 PM

I don't handle things bare handed

doody · 02/24/2006, 11:45 PM

I assume it's just certain ones.

Philip · 02/24/2006, 11:47 PM

beats me. But over the years I've read too many stories like yours.

I have burned myself on the MH bulb before but I don't remember what happened, something caused me to jerk and I bumped right into the hot bulb.

Carman34L · 02/24/2006, 11:52 PM

Heres a good read on Zoanthids and Palythoas and them being toxic:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=158730

I lost a fingernail from the little B astards about a year or so ago. my finger swelled up and turned black, doctor extracted my fingernail. I still dont wear gloves.

subcrx · 02/24/2006, 11:55 PM

I was going through LR at the LFS trying to decide on a few pieces and a mantis shrimp opened up a large section of my thumb. I got that piece of LR for free because the store owner was so thrilled that he now owned a mantis.

doody · 02/25/2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Carman34L
Heres a good read on Zoanthids and Palythoas and them being toxic:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=158730

I lost a fingernail from the little B astards about a year or so ago. my finger swelled up and turned black, doctor extracted my fingernail. I still dont wear gloves.

Thanks for the link and ouch. Keep em comming.

Alaskan Reefer · 02/25/2006, 12:51 AM

6 hits from a longspine urchin (diadema) at once -- three in knuckles, three between knuckles. Felt like 6 bee stings, the tips of the spines got stuck in my hand, and after reading up I learned that it was best to remove them -- so I did so with tweezers, sewing needles, and cuticle nippers. Took about an hour and about 6 paper towels, the damn things keep breaking when you touch them so you have to keep digging. Hand was swollen for about three days. Scars remain in knuckles two years later.

Nowadays, I look before I stick my hand in the tank. Don't ever let one of these guys get a hold of you, especially into the bone of your knuckles or the webbing between your fingers -- I can't describe the pain of digging those things out of a throbbing hand full of bee stings...

zimmy1979 · 02/25/2006, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Alaskan Reefer
6 hits from a longspine urchin (diadema) at once -- three in knuckles, three between knuckles. Felt like 6 bee stings, the tips of the spines got stuck in my hand, and after reading up I learned that it was best to remove them -- so I did so with tweezers, sewing needles, and cuticle nippers. Took about an hour and about 6 paper towels, the damn things keep breaking when you touch them so you have to keep digging. Hand was swollen for about three days. Scars remain in knuckles two years later.

Nowadays, I look before I stick my hand in the tank. Don't ever let one of these guys get a hold of you, especially into the bone of your knuckles or the webbing between your fingers -- I can't describe the pain of digging those things out of a throbbing hand full of bee stings...

Holy cow..ouch!

jdieck · 02/25/2006, 01:33 AM

Finger double cut to the bone trapped by a clam

dr.darkness · 02/25/2006, 01:42 AM

My head is shaved and so I was working the MH's and got burned but good.

Mike.B · 02/25/2006, 03:22 AM

Well my worry isnt the stuff thats staying still because you shouldnt just be sticking your hand in the tank without looking and should kinda know whats where. My worry is my foxface, I hate having to watch venemous fish when cleaning the tank.

doody · 02/25/2006, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dr.darkness
My head is shaved and so I was working the MH's and got burned but good.

Now thats just funny.

tstone · 02/25/2006, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dr.darkness
My head is shaved and so I was working the MH's and got burned but good.

My head is shaved as well. I will have to remember that caution.

When I had a FOWLR years ago. I had a lion fish. I added a flounder to the tank.
Thought the flounder was large enough to not be a meal.
The lion fish rolled up the flounder like a cigar and was about to swallow it.

I paniced and without thinking reached in and grabbed the lionfish.

Don't ever grab a lionfish........Hand swelled, arm went all tingly and numb. Cold sweat, labored breathing.

Luckily the symptoms dissipated within a few hours.

Freed · 02/25/2006, 07:15 AM

Did he let loose of the flounder?

tstone · 02/25/2006, 07:42 AM

Yeah he let go. I took the flounder back to the LFS. Kept the lionfish for 2 more years.

doody · 02/25/2006, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tstone
My head is shaved as well. I will have to remember that caution.

When I had a FOWLR years ago. I had a lion fish. I added a flounder to the tank.
Thought the flounder was large enough to not be a meal.
The lion fish rolled up the flounder like a cigar and was about to swallow it.

I paniced and without thinking reached in and grabbed the lionfish.

Don't ever grab a lionfish........Hand swelled, arm went all tingly and numb. Cold sweat, labored breathing.

Luckily the symptoms dissipated within a few hours.

Do it again, but this time take pics :-)

Ludwigia73 · 02/25/2006, 08:37 AM

Don't worry, I'd have let loose a flounder had I been stung... ;}

Randy Holmes-Farley · 02/25/2006, 09:03 AM

I was reaching under my stand to do something, and my fingers brushed against the blades of an unguarded cooling fan. No significant injury yet, but in my reflex yanking of my hand back, the palm of my hand scraped across the head of a nail sticking out of the side of the door frame and cut my palm open. My wife had to take me to the emergency room for stitches. I still have a 2" scar.

ACBlinky · 02/25/2006, 09:04 AM

One of the guys at my LFS reacts badly to Euphyllia corals. He showed me his arm three days after being stung by a big torch - it looked like someone had gouged a series of holes in the skin, leaving little round scabs. He said his doctor compared it to a chemical burn, it was pretty severe.

Two other LFS employees at another store burned their arms on new MH lights, looked like they'd had a cigar put out on their arms.

02/24/2006, 11:13 PM	#1
doody Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: youngstown,Ohio Posts: 1,880	reef related battle wounds (on you, not your fish) I wanna hear stories and see pics of your worst reefrelated injury. Yeah, I know I'm some kind of freak but it could be a lessen for some, and just entertaining for others like me. __________________ Thanks, Robert Current Tank Info: 29g softie/lps tank, 125 in da worx

02/24/2006, 11:21 PM	#3
doody Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: youngstown,Ohio Posts: 1,880	See. Now some newbee knows not to handle rock bare handed. I had no Idea that zoos could do that. I read they could sting, but wow. __________________ Thanks, Robert Current Tank Info: 29g softie/lps tank, 125 in da worx

02/24/2006, 11:27 PM	#4
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	just been burnt in open cuts. it always creeps on me too. it never hurts right away, but always like a few minutes after i rinse and dry my hands and arms. never any big bad rashes though, just a minor burning sensation. __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

02/24/2006, 11:45 PM	#7
doody Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: youngstown,Ohio Posts: 1,880	I assume it's just certain ones. __________________ Thanks, Robert Current Tank Info: 29g softie/lps tank, 125 in da worx

02/25/2006, 12:51 AM	#12
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	6 hits from a longspine urchin (diadema) at once -- three in knuckles, three between knuckles. Felt like 6 bee stings, the tips of the spines got stuck in my hand, and after reading up I learned that it was best to remove them -- so I did so with tweezers, sewing needles, and cuticle nippers. Took about an hour and about 6 paper towels, the damn things keep breaking when you touch them so you have to keep digging. Hand was swollen for about three days. Scars remain in knuckles two years later. Nowadays, I look before I stick my hand in the tank. Don't ever let one of these guys get a hold of you, especially into the bone of your knuckles or the webbing between your fingers -- I can't describe the pain of digging those things out of a throbbing hand full of bee stings... __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

02/24/2006, 11:18 PM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I dont have any pics, but when I worked at my LFS I was moving zoos while cleaning and I got stung by them a few times in my fingers. Mu fingers and part of my arm turned red like a rash, started to burn and I had a few pains for a day or so. Just recently I was taking out small frags of my Kenya tree coral after it was budding off new little ones, and My Liverock stung me on my forearm. I had a red bumpy rash that itched like the dickens for about a week. Now I will always wear gloves.

02/24/2006, 11:34 PM	#5
Carman34L Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lake Elmo, Minnesota Posts: 644	Zoanthids, and Palythoas can kill you. Palythoas carry a Palytoxin, which is one of the deadliest toxins on the planet.

02/24/2006, 11:41 PM	#6
Philip Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Castle Rock, CO Posts: 1,518	I don't handle things bare handed

02/24/2006, 11:47 PM	#8
Philip Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Castle Rock, CO Posts: 1,518	beats me. But over the years I've read too many stories like yours. I have burned myself on the MH bulb before but I don't remember what happened, something caused me to jerk and I bumped right into the hot bulb.

02/24/2006, 11:52 PM	#9
Carman34L Moved On Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lake Elmo, Minnesota Posts: 644	Heres a good read on Zoanthids and Palythoas and them being toxic: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=158730 I lost a fingernail from the little B astards about a year or so ago. my finger swelled up and turned black, doctor extracted my fingernail. I still dont wear gloves.

02/24/2006, 11:55 PM	#10
subcrx Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Fullerton, CA Posts: 108	I was going through LR at the LFS trying to decide on a few pieces and a mantis shrimp opened up a large section of my thumb. I got that piece of LR for free because the store owner was so thrilled that he now owned a mantis.

02/25/2006, 01:33 AM	#14
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	Finger double cut to the bone trapped by a clam __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

02/25/2006, 01:42 AM	#15
dr.darkness Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: bay area,ca Posts: 346	My head is shaved and so I was working the MH's and got burned but good. __________________ "I don't care who you think you are, when it comes down to it you're just another piece of meat to a serial killer" - William Dan Current Tank Info: 85g reef/12g nano

02/25/2006, 03:22 AM	#16
Mike.B Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 548	Well my worry isnt the stuff thats staying still because you shouldnt just be sticking your hand in the tank without looking and should kinda know whats where. My worry is my foxface, I hate having to watch venemous fish when cleaning the tank.

02/25/2006, 07:15 AM	#19
Freed It's what it's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: 41° 2' 45" N 85° 8' 43" W Posts: 7,579	Did he let loose of the flounder? __________________ Freed Current Tank Info: 180gal(1120 watts of MH/VHO light), 60gal "sump", Deltec 601 calcium reactor, Euro Reef CS8-3+ skimmer, 20 gallon QT

02/25/2006, 07:42 AM	#20
tstone Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: OKC Posts: 4,402	Yeah he let go. I took the flounder back to the LFS. Kept the lionfish for 2 more years.

02/25/2006, 08:37 AM	#22
Ludwigia73 Reef Reef Reef Reef Reef Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Davie, FL Posts: 4,841	Don't worry, I'd have let loose a flounder had I been stung... ;} __________________ 14" cube (12 gal), LED's Current Tank Info: 125 gallon with 40 gallon sump, LED's

02/25/2006, 09:03 AM	#23
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	I was reaching under my stand to do something, and my fingers brushed against the blades of an unguarded cooling fan. No significant injury yet, but in my reflex yanking of my hand back, the palm of my hand scraped across the head of a nail sticking out of the side of the door frame and cut my palm open. My wife had to take me to the emergency room for stitches. I still have a 2" scar. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

02/25/2006, 09:04 AM	#24
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	One of the guys at my LFS reacts badly to Euphyllia corals. He showed me his arm three days after being stung by a big torch - it looked like someone had gouged a series of holes in the skin, leaving little round scabs. He said his doctor compared it to a chemical burn, it was pretty severe. Two other LFS employees at another store burned their arms on new MH lights, looked like they'd had a cigar put out on their arms. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.