LTA Stings!!!

[dickhordishay]

I know, I know, they're supposed to. But here's the story:

Stupid LTA decided he was happy, and like the other 2 times he moved, he decided to move into my powerhead.

Caught him early this time and after I unplugged the PH he quickly released.

Well I moved him to a section where I thought he would be happy. Didn't notice any abnormalities when I moved him.

So, a couple of days later he decides to up and move again. So I figured I'd pick him up and move him to where I want him.

Just noticed my hand itches like crazy and there's a bunch of small, mosquito-like bumps on the side of my hand.

Can I assume it was from him stings?

 

[BigJay]

Maybe an allergic reaction to the stings?

 

[dickhordishay]

Must've been. Just really itchy. Moved him before and never noticed a problem, but maybe I itched then and just didn't think about it.

Like I said, it was a bunch of little mosquito bite-like marks, but just not as obvious. It's not like it stung like a bee sting or anything.

Itched like a mofo though! Finally thought about the jellyfish sting thing and ran hot water over the area. Seemed to work!

 

[Toddrtrex]

For some reason my BTAs ( back when I had them ) would cause the same thing if I touched them, but never my LTAs.

But, should find out when the anemone keeps moving, something is making it unhappy. How deep is your sandbed, what lights, and how much flow?

 

[hodgepodge1983]

Hmm, maybe next time try soaking the affected area in vinegar?

 

[dickhordishay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13780860#post13780860 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
For some reason my BTAs ( back when I had them ) would cause the same thing if I touched them, but never my LTAs.

But, should find out when the anemone keeps moving, something is making it unhappy. How deep is your sandbed, what lights, and how much flow?

I'd say about a 3" sandbed. 260 Watt PC's. Flow from 2 powerheads (forgot what size), skimmer, powerfilter.

The anemone actually looks a lot better than when I first got it. It was pretty bleached and I at first thought the browning was a bad thing, but then read the whiteness wasn't good, and the browning is.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Long term, IMO that won't be enough light for an LTA.

How big is the LTA? The bigger they are/get the deeper the sandbed that they like.

 

[dickhordishay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13785490#post13785490 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Toddrtrex
Long term, IMO that won't be enough light for an LTA.

How big is the LTA? The bigger they are/get the deeper the sandbed that they like.

Really? I'm getting 4.7 watts per gallon. What do they require? And the LTA is maybe 4" or so.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Are all of the PCs daylight bulbs, or are some actinic?

Either way, watts per gallon isn't a very good rule. It leaves out too many variables. Each type of bulb isn't created equal --- 100 watts of PC isn't equal to 100 watts of T5 ( with individual reflectors ) nor 100 watts of metal halide. Both of those bulbs have better penetration then PC, and since LTAs are sand dwelling anemones that is important.

 

[WrinkleFreeZone]

I have a couple of thoughts about your apparent sting:

The skin of your palm is really thick and it's possible that even if you've handled your anemone before that the nematocysts weren't capable of penetrating it. The skin on the side and back of your hand is much thinner and it is possible that you contacted this area when you were moving it. This may have allowed penetration of the nematocyst and envenomation of the area. If this is the case, there isn't a lot to worry about.

Another, more serious thought is that when you handled the anemone recently that you were stung and sensitized your body to the venom. The second time you handled your anemone you were stung again and your body had a brisker response to the venom. The little mosquito bite like areas are due to your body's way of dealing with the envenomation and it itches due to the inflammation that's present. An important thing to know about stings is that with each exposure, you can amplify your body's response to it (this may explain why the second time it's worse). You need to be careful with this because over time you can be sensitized enough that with an exposure the body over reacts. This is why some people develop anaphylaxis (a life threatening condition) to things like bee stings. I would caution you against handling your anemone again without gloves of some sort.
-B