A Poll - Who's Responsible ?????

[MUCHO REEF]

A direct qoute from the book, "Aquarium Corals, by E. Borneman", on page 182.

"Neurotoxin Warning,

All species of palythoa and most related zoanthids including Protopalythoa species, produce a chemical called Palytoxin in their mucus and gonads. Indigenous Pacific tribes used this neuromuscular agent to tip spears in order to paralyze prey animals and their enemies. This is a potent toxin and can be deadly to humans.

This poll is a direct parallel to the thread I posted yesterday. See link below
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2063473



So, my question is this. Is it the responsiblity of the LFS, on line store, vendor or anyone who sells polyps, to first and foremost inform the consumer of the explicit potential dangers in handling, keeping, propagating etc, these polyps?

Please vote and then join the discussion and let us engage the topic and share why you voted for or against, thanks.

MUCHO REEF

 

[KafudaFish]

I see a trend here on the subject.

To me it is the buyer's responsibility to conduct research, ask questions, and be informed prior to the purchase.

We already have warning labels on mattresses, cigarettes and alcohol so do we really need one on zoas?

That being said I see nothing wrong with the seller asking the buyer if they have done the research as a friendly heads up.

 

[redneckgearhead]

It is the buyers responsibility to research and understand what it is they are buying. As Mike stated we have warning labels on EVERYTHING! We do not need them on this!

Ever notice the warning labels are in English only?

 

[rogersb]

Nope. I bought several handguns this summer and not one time did an owner say -'Now be careful, you could kill somebody with that.'

If someone had questions I think we should all be more than willing to tell them how zoas may be dangerous, but the buyer is ultimately responsible.

 

[InLimbo87]

No, I believe it is the responsibility of the reefkeeper to do the necessary research prior to adding anything to the aquarium. This information is EVERYWHERE.

 

[Matthew91]

It is the reefers responsibility. If the seller knew this person was new to the hobby, he should inform the person. How would you know if no questions were asked?

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Great feedback, but please stay tuned, there's a twist to this at the end of the week.

Mooch

 

[KafudaFish]

Judge Judy?

 

[Allmost]

imagine the labels we would have needed for sharks, lionfish, jellyfish, stingrays, rabbitfish, tangs, and ..... lol

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Judge Judy?

Nope :hmm3:

 

[boatguy]

Sorry, but if you are going to merchant/sell a product with a known hazard you should disclose/explain/relate information to the buyer. Not every person who buys a fish tank and would like to have that colorful critter in their tank has the knowledge. I also do not think it is their responsibility to research an impulse buy to the nth degree. Lets say Mary buys some palythoa for her tank and it dies...she throws it in the garbage and her dog gets into the garbage, eats it and dies. Please do not get me wrong I love to research and learn about my reef tank but I do not need a license to have one. I for one did not learn of the toxin until after I owned some...I guess that's my bad?

 

[Friday Night]

Both parties.

Shop/lfs to watch thier tail. As well as Timmy should do his homework prior before buying. For the simple fact that timmy could be new or even has been in the game since christ was a child. People are sue happy these days like the women who won and now is the reason why there is "HOT" on your everyday fastfood cup of coffee.

 

[MUCHO REEF]

Keep em coming.

 

[organism]

Problem is a lot of people are retarded, and one thing retarded people are good at is blaming everyone else when they do something idiotic, especially thanks to today's "protect their fragile little egos" culture. Legally you'll most likely lose, even if the buyer puts the zoanthids into a smoothie or sets an rv on cruise control and walks into the back to watch a movie.

I'm curious as to what humanity's going to look like down the line now that we've set natural selection aside and started racing towards dumber fatter weaker slower...

 

[SIR PATRICK]

imagine the labels we would have needed for sharks, lionfish, jellyfish, stingrays, rabbitfish, tangs, and ..... lol

All the GOOD LFS's, that I know of give a warning or 2 with the sale of these fish already. Whether its the stating, tank size, reef safeness, tank type, ect. Most of this list is sold with a warning of one type or another. Why not zoas/palys??

 

[SIR PATRICK]

This question has never crossed my mind.....I do beleive its the buyers responsibility to research, but we are talking about matters of health here. Not all reefers will research these corals much further than color or variety, or very minimal care- and will likely just be told they are a beginers coral, or easy to keep, and have it left at that.

Since its been brought up, after thinking about it, especially with the common misconception that zoas are easy, and in light of the growing interest in fragging, I am leaning towords sellers of coral enlightening buyers on this piece of information. Why not?? Good sellers already send so much info with so many other reef creatures, why not share this very important piece of information?

 

[SIR PATRICK]

I remember, back in the day, I would hand place many many corals, and continue on to make a PBJ sandwich....without a hand wash. I saw my tank much like swimming in the ocean, then eating lunch, back before the internet and all its info was readily available. Its a wonder I made it this long! I have been lucky.

 

[redneckgearhead]

So should retailers have to warn about every possible danger with the product they are selling? Should gas pumps have "Do not drink, do not give to animals" stickers on their gas pumps? WE MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OURSELVES!

 

[Reef Bass]

I hear and generally agree with the buyer needing to understand what they're buying. On the other hand, there will be that 1 in 10,000 or even 1 in 100,000 case where some idiot does something stupid, suffers horribly and then blames whomever they bought them from for not educating them. This is why McDonalds hot coffee has a warning on it stating that it's hot. Not saying it's right or good, but that there are some really not very bright people out there who seem to have missed out on common sense or connecting with reality.

 

[SIR PATRICK]

So should retailers have to warn about every possible danger with the product they are selling? Should gas pumps have "Do not drink, do not give to animals" stickers on their gas pumps? WE MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR OURSELVES!

Just the most dangerous ones, that arent common sense. I am all for taking responsibility for ourselves, but something like this, even for education sake, might be a good idea to disclose to new reefers.

I dont think it should be a requirement- but a good idea, for safety and educations sake.