Which Zoanthid to buy?

[Durbelethwen]

I have been seriously considering buying a zoanthid, but I have also read how poisonous they are. The book I have been reading which got me hooked on the idea said that only some of them are poisonous: so I was wondering if there is some sort of resource for me to navigate the different types?
I know I could just be careful but I would rather not have to worry about it at all. Also I work at a nursing home and my hands often crack from dryness due to having to wash them or at least sanitize them a lot. Thank you.

 

[SantaCruzReefer]

All zoas and palys are poisonous unfortunatley, however if you buy some heavy duty aquarium gloves you should have no problem. I've had great succes with Coralife AquaGloves. They last a really long time, are as tough as nails and not too pricey. Just don't get the palytoxins from the slime into your eyes,mouth or open wounds.

 

[Gamepro_inc]

I am a nurse so I also wash my hands alot...never had a problem with zoes just wash your hands before touching your face after messing with them, Also keep them under water while messing with them to prevent squirting in your eye. As far a in tank tox its not a problem.

 

[Jeff]

It's easier if you change the word from "poisonous" to "toxic". For the majority of people, if you get some palytoxin into your system, you will get a small infection at the injection site resulting in a day or two of very minimal discomfort. I had some ugly brown palys that were worse then others.
If it is a big concern, wear gloves and be careful. Never wipe your eyes until you wash your hands.

 

[RokleM]

<i>This thread has been moved to the current forum.</i>

 

[CLINTOS]

animals/elderly/kids and people with a weaker immune system are more susceptible but we are talking huge amount's of palytoxin

 

[the808state]

animals/elderly/kids and people with a weaker immune system are more susceptible but we are talking huge amount's of palytoxin

Huge!? 4 micrograms of palytoxin will kill your average healthy adult male.

Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[CLINTOS]

1/2" deep 2" long razor slice to the thumb after slicing up 10's of paly's and zoa's along with a heavy direct squirt to the eye.

Please do not eat any zoa/paly sandwiches

 

[April F]

In all honesty, zoanthids are not the only thing in your tank that can/will cause reactions. The saltwater itself doesn't bother me, but I now know better than to touch anything in my tank with my bare hands, or else I get ugly red welts and swelled fingers, to the point of developing bleeding cracks. I always use a latex glove when I'm in the tank.

Bristleworms and feather worms (out of their cases) can sting. Lionfish have poisonous spines, tangs have razor sharp tail barbs, blenny's come equipped with fangs, cowfish and seaslugs can destroy a tank with their toxins. Everyone knows about anemones, some mushrooms are much the same way, as are many other corals.

All I am getting at is that there are lots and lots of things in these tanks that can cause a reaction or death. Zoanthids are not the only thing to worry about. Just take proper precautions, continue to wash your hands before touching anything or anyone else, and everything will "probably" be fine.

 

[GrouperGenius]

Thanks April.

Just remember. Some folks die from a single bee sting or even sniffing a peanut.

Point is, you just never know what your allergic to till it's too late sometimes. Why take a chance?

 

[CLINTOS]

Plus gloves prevent soap,dirt and oil etc from entering the tank which is always a positive to it's inhabitants.