Black Sponge

[hotreefbabe]

Does anybody know if a black sponge can sting? I was stung by something, I believe it was a black sponge. The black sponge is growing on a rock w/ yellow Zoanthis and it seems to be melting the zoas away. Whatever stung me left a red and white bumpy rash( look like what posion ivy does) and its burning and itchy and also swelling. I really hope I dont need to see a doctor...haha. Gotta love this hobby!!
~Kristin

 

[LeslieH]

There's a whole group of sponges known as fire sponges. Sponges have three lines of defense: mechanical, chemical, and biological. The first comes from the spicules that form their support structure. These come in a variety of shapes, mostly pointed, and will stick like thorns. The second is from a huge variety of toxic chemicals they produce to deter other animals from eating them. Third, is from the bacteria,viruses, detritus, etc. that live on the sponge & get transferred into your flesh. Some sponges are harmless to us but harndling others will produce lesions, rashes, swelling, necrotic tissue or worse depending on one or a combination of these defenses. Give your doctor or a pharmacist a call and see what they advise.

 

[Boomer]

Yup there is all kinds of stuff on not only sponges but other animals to include even Bryozoans that one may not expect. Some species of sponges possess venomous stinging cells.

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1529-8019.2002.01503.x


http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/alsting2.html#sponge

 

[Lpabsolute]

Def. keep a close eye on your hand and if it gets worse take action......

 

[romunov]

Probably the most common injury is a polychaete "sting". I wouldn't jump on the sponge wagon just yet.