Zoanthids are they toxic?

[ReefRian]

I just wanted to bring this to your attention if you are not a part of Reef Central. This was posted recently and has some very important information regarding how toxic zoanthids are. Please read and be sure to wear gloves whenever working on your tank and protect your children and animals from harm when working on your tank.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=158663

Rian

 

[LA-Lawman]

just to piggy back on that see this thread

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... invert.htm

I have worn gloves in the tank since about 9yrs ago when i had a 2 day hospital visit after my 11" carpet anenome turned inside out over my hand while i tried to move him to get to a dead fish... ( I was new to the hobby... didnt know any better)

bad juju.....

 

[madrefkepr]

Amazing. I never would have thought they were that toxic. Thanks for the heads up!

 

[danmhippo]

After reading Anthony Calfo's book on propagation, I always wear gloves working with the softies.

 

[EmilyB]

I just propagated some zoos to take to a meeting/frag swap and I pulled them apart with my bare hands. 8O

I have those orange purple gloves, but they are just to thick to feel anything....

Scary stuff.

I thought bristleworms were my nemesis..... :roll:

 

[liquid]

If I'm going to be doing any work in the tank I always try to wear thin latex gloves. Use powder-free gloves as the talc that's in the powdered gloves can irritate your corals. Also, when you're done, make it a point to wash up *well* with an antibacterial soap. You can never be too careful. I'm overly paranoid b/c I have an 11 month old...

Shane

 

[ChrisRD]

Man, I feel so bad for that guy and his family. The pic of that cute little dog is so sad.

 

[Will C1]

holy crap! 8O i touch my zoo's all the time picking up frags as they drop off and moving them around the tank!! mabe i'll be a little more carefull from now on.

 

[AllenF]

I just skimmed through the thread and I would like to make one small correction. The most toxic substance known to man is pure Botulinum Toxin (aka, "Botulism", "Food poisoning" and "Botox injections") (also a neuro-toxin)

One pint of pure toxin is enough to kill every man, woman, child, animal, mammal, etc on the entire planet!

You can access this information in any Microbiology book.

Please please don't eat out of canned food if the cans are dented or "swelled" and dont let children under the age of 4 eat honey.

Heating this stuff does nothing to reduce the effects like it does for E. Coli, Staph Aureus, Salmonella, etc etc.

 

[brandon4291]

I was under the impression that palythoa species (button polyps) are the zoanthids of concern, not necessarily all zoanthids. Glad to know otherwise if thats the case...I have worn those powderless gloves like Shane mentioned to keep me from contaminating the tank, wasnt ever suspecting getting sick from the water. To think of the times I got a partial mouthfull of water when siphoning now makes me hurl in retrospect.

Brandon

 

[LA-Lawman]

either way it is still important to be carefull.

just as handling large amounts of LR. you dont want to get a sticker and have a sore hand for a week....

 

[aggiefish]

Actually another correction to the toxin comment, Botulism is indeed the most potent toxin, not the fastest , but potent. A pint is way too much, one gram is enough to kill about 1 billion people 8O , it takes a few molecules of the stuff to block the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction and cause resp. paralysis. Hard to believe but true.

 

[D.W.L.]

I cant remember how many times I have handled them. 8O And like others, how many times I have siphoned water, with my mouth. 8O By the way, I found whiskey works good for cleaning the mouth.

On the serious side, I was somewhat aware some were toxic, but never knew how much until reading Kevins thread and Julians article.