Palytoxin: zoanthids vs palythoa

[stevomag]

I recently got a few zoanthid colonies in my tank, I love the colours and they seem happy and healthy.

However, upon researching them, I have been a little freaked out by Palytoxin. Do zoanthids produce palytoxin? Or is Palytoxin only produced by Palythoas?

Im guesing Palythoas have "Paly" in the name to suggest they produce Palytoxin... But what about zoanthids as they are so similar to palythoas??

What do you guys know about them??

Thanks!

 

[sde1500]

Most zoas/palys etc seem to be miss-identified. Many can contain the toxin. Most don't really contain enough to be a danger. It wouldn't hurt to be careful around them, but you'll be fine. Don't eat them though, or handle them if you have open cuts on your hand, and if you want to frag them, gloves and eye protection wouldn't hurt.

For every story you read about someone suffering from Palytoxin exposure, there are hundreds and thousands of people that keep zoas every day without issue.

 

[CL8869]

Telling him not to eat them made me actually lol

 

[stevomag]

Awesome, I'll remember not to ingest them.. it's pretty incredible to have something so deadly but look really cool at the same time lol!

 

[JZinCO]

I'll try to answer w/o being a smartass.

I recently got a few zoanthid colonies in my tank, I love the colours and they seem happy and healthy. Cool.

However, upon researching them, I have been a little freaked out by Palytoxin. Yeah, it is a thing to be aware of. Do zoanthids produce palytoxin? Yes.Or is Palytoxin only produced by Palythoas? No. Other zoanthids such as zoanthus and protopalythoa also produce PTX. As do dinoflaggellates and some macroalgae. Many wild species can contain PTX including urchins, gorgs, hard coral, and fish because PTX accretes across and up the food chain

Im guesing Palythoas have "Paly" in the name to suggest they produce Palytoxin... It is named PTX because PTX was first discovered in a Hawaiin palythoaBut what about zoanthids as they are so similar to palythoas??Palythoa are zoanthids. Are you confusing zoanthid with zoanthus?

What do you guys know about them??That's mostly it.

Thanks!