Carpet Anenome

[boodwah]

I am wanting to get a carpet anenome. I know they are venemous but we have a 90 gallon 48" high tank on a 36" stand so the water line is 5' off the floor. The highest point of my live rock is about 1' below the water line. I also have a canopy, glass tops, and a 320 watt PC to contend with. My wife is worried a child might stick their hand in the tank someday and get stung. I really think that the greater issue would be getting burned by the PC's, shocked, falling, dropping the canopy, etc... In other words, something is going to happen before any child can even get to the anenome. But that is not my question. How venemous are carpet anenomes? The one I am looking at is the Pizza Anenome (Crytodendrum adaesivum). If stung, will a hospital be able to administer an ativenin or will they be relegated to treating the symptoms and stablizing the respiration and blood pressure? I don't want to get something that might kill someone but I really don't think anyone will be able to get to it who does not know any better than to mess with stuff they shouldn't. As for me, I'm wearing gloves when I clean the tank!
BTW, it will be 6mos-1yr before my tank is ready but I want to plan everything out instead of dropping animals in there willy-nilly.

 

[thehedge]

Carpet Anemones sting, but aren't necessarily venomous...they are similar to a jellyfish and can cause superficial damage to your skin, in some cases, secondary infection takes place and cause more than the superficial damamge.

I personally have never been stung by a Carpet, so I am not sure how hard they sting first hand, but I have seen a few people who got stung, and it ranged from a rash to blistering.

However, I do not think that PC lighting is sufficient in keeping any type of Carpet Anemone. You must upgrade to MH lighting as Carpet Anemones are arguably one of the most light demanding anemones. Plus they require expert care. I would highly recommend doing as much research as possible before purchasing one.

 

[boodwah]

Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the info!

Thanks for the reply! I feel better about keeping one now. I have kept condylactics in the past and have successfully bred aiptasias! (Pun intended) Carpets look like they will be a whole new challenge.
I am looking at everything long term. I'm trying my best to research and plan way ahead and not just throw things together. I appreciate the info on the MH's. They were in the budget for later down the road but they definately will be in the budget before the carpet anenome now! Thanks again.

 

[Wiggawam]

Should be more worried about a carpet eating your fish before harming a human. Some people they might cause a rash but I've never gotten one or had any problems from handleing a carpet.

 

[r00onmac]

i am also pretty sure carpets like the sand, not the top of the rocks... so really there is no chance of a kid reaching down 48" into the tank to get stung...

 

[boodwah]

I goofed. The tank is 48"long, not high. I don't know how I did that. I think it is 24" deep. But still, your point is just as valid IMHO.

 

[St.james of reefdom]

The pizza anemone has a very nasty sting. I do not believe that any clowns will host in them either.
They are very different than the haddon's. Do some more research would be my reccomendation.