Help ID my tank takeover
- Thread starter Meganewbie
- Start date
Those look a bit like palythoa (sea mat) Please immediately read the sticky on toxins up top and try to get a clearer photo and precise ID. Some of these can be life-threatening, and do not rub your eyes after putting your hands in the tank. Distressing palys and disposing of them can have serious consequences for the handler. Better yet, I'll provide a link to the thread so you don't miss it. Serious, serious stuff. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2515630 and for more info and a case instance: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2499316
IF it is, I'd dispose of that rock. Glove up, wear glasses, a mask if you can, lift the rock out, bag it and carry it immediately to the outdoor garbage can. Palytoxin is really, really serious business, and you should scrub your hands with soap. If you've not injured the mat in removing it, you should be ok with the tank, but be careful to spot any new growth of it, and that having cost you a rock, you can get a new one to replace it. But take this very, very seriously: the stuff is highly poisonous.
BJ Kot
New member
Sk8r
Thank you for sharing this information. I am not sure how I have never heard of this. I even removed a rock of palys from my tank less than a year ago and hand scraped them off. I have been researching this topic all afternoon since seeing your post and I am still curios..is this all palys? and did I just get lucky? I am wondering if I should go ahead and remove the ones I currently have in my tank. I have posted a picture showing those in my tank.
Thank you for sharing this information. I am not sure how I have never heard of this. I even removed a rock of palys from my tank less than a year ago and hand scraped them off. I have been researching this topic all afternoon since seeing your post and I am still curios..is this all palys? and did I just get lucky? I am wondering if I should go ahead and remove the ones I currently have in my tank. I have posted a picture showing those in my tank.
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homer1475
New member
They look to be the same nuclear green palys I used to have in my biocube. Never had any issue with them and the palytoxin thing, but they do get to plague proportions quite quick. I would still wear gloves and eye protection when messing with them. You can never be to safe when messing with them.
After reading everything about palytoxin, I did not put them in my new tank.
After reading everything about palytoxin, I did not put them in my new tank.
Tricky question. First, some varieties of palythoas seem to be really, really bad, and others less so. BUT, big howling great but---individual sensitivities to some things vary; and we don't understand these species (as a hobby) as well as we should: a difference that might scream information to a scientist is a 'huh, looks alike to me' with most of us. SAFEST, since these things can kill you, is to get rid of them sanely, carefully, and well-insulated from prowling dogs looking for garbage, etc. Inhaling, touching, all sorts of contact have sent people to the hospital, and some RC members have had some very, very unpleasant experiences with the class. Rather than try to encourage a new hobbyist to tell which are the really bad ones, I'd rather say the sea is full of neat things that won't hurt you, so get rid of sea mat and enjoy the others safely. Understand, these are not zoas. Different scientific name, different critter. But always, when working with your tank, use exam gloves and rubber-band your wrists: hands get sore spots and hangnails.
Likewise don't pipette: I know they do it in labs. I've also seen serious risk in labs. Just use a squeeze bulb (turkey baster) and be careful to wash your hands and not rub your face, eyes, nose, or mouth while working with corals. When fragging, wear eye protection: your eyes are a perfect growth surface and corals are living tissue. Don't even ask. THis is a good hobby if you take sensible precautions and don't eat or drink or inhale the specimens, or encounter them with naked fingers or open sores.
Likewise don't pipette: I know they do it in labs. I've also seen serious risk in labs. Just use a squeeze bulb (turkey baster) and be careful to wash your hands and not rub your face, eyes, nose, or mouth while working with corals. When fragging, wear eye protection: your eyes are a perfect growth surface and corals are living tissue. Don't even ask. THis is a good hobby if you take sensible precautions and don't eat or drink or inhale the specimens, or encounter them with naked fingers or open sores.
BJ Kot
New member
Thanks for the info. I am still amazed that I have not heard about this until today. I am out of town currently, but as soon as I get home those things are coming out of my tank. While I take full blame for not doing the proper research myself, I am very surprised the LFS did not tell me about this when I bought them (even though I bought them for the mushrooms that were on the rock and not for the palys). Going to go have a talk with them upon my return as well. Thanks guys.
meeandcharlie
New member
Yes, please take the palytoxin very seriously, and handle with great care and caution! I made a grave error that caused an encounter with the toxin a few weeks ago. So it is still fresh in my mind. I did take precautions with gloves and glasses but made a stupid mistake, and I ended up drinking about a 1/4 cup of tank water that had had about 28 zoa heads in it. I ended in the ER with hypertensive crisis, cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory issues. CDC also has info regarding the toxin. I printed the CDC info and took with me to the ER so they had info for poison control. I was lucky. Also as mentioned be sure they are secure from pets, strays and wildlife when disposing.
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