Wondering what's toxic and what's not

[mikedawg8898]

Hey everyone, I'm extremely new to the hobby and just got my 75 gallon aquarium cycled, I'm wondering, what's toxic and what's not such as lionfish etc, also I heard some corals can send you to the ER, is that true, and if so, what kinds. Any pictures and names would be helpful. Thank you in advance

 

[CStrickland]

Welcome to the hobby mike!
This thread should get you started http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2515630 you'll notice that there are a few threads that don't move from the top of the list of threads, they are stickies cause they are stuck to the top of the list cause they give good answers to common questions. That thread is a sticky about dangerous things in tanks and there is another called "setting up" that has a lot of good info for new reefers.

 

[Clownfish Chris]

Read the stickies about poison on top of the New to the Hobby Forum.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2515630

Palytoxin from Zoanthids is what can send you to the ER. Most other critters will only sting you as far as I know.

 

[username in use]

Most other critters will only sting you as far as I know.

Just to be clear. Many allergies can develop over time with repeated exposure. Those allergies can be quite severe. Some people react to things that others do not.

It is always best to treat everything in your tank with the idea that it can make you very ill. Wear rubber gloves of a decent thickness so you don't get scratched or cut. Preferably have gloves long enough that your arms/hands stay dry as well.

When fragging anything wear eye protection as well.

 

[mikedawg8898]

Is it just softies that can hurt you?

 

[Clownfish Chris]

Just to be clear. Many allergies can develop over time with repeated exposure. Those allergies can be quite severe. Some people react to things that others do not.

It is always best to treat everything in your tank with the idea that it can make you very ill. Wear rubber gloves of a decent thickness so you don't get scratched or cut. Preferably have gloves long enough that your arms/hands stay dry as well.

When fragging anything wear eye protection as well.

^^^ This

Its just like a bee sting. To some people it is just pain that will go away after a few hours. to others, it could be lethal.

As far as specific things that are poisonous, I couldn't tell you for sure. I simply treat everything with respect. Gloves should be used at all times to protect you from your tank and your tank from you. Don't use heat to "cook" rocks. Wear eye protection. These are just a few examples.

 

[mikedawg8898]

^^^ This

Its just like a bee sting. To some people it is just pain that will go away after a few hours. to others, it could be lethal.

As far as specific things that are poisonous, I couldn't tell you for sure. I simply treat everything with respect. Gloves should be used at all times to protect you from your tank and your tank from you. Don't use heat to "cook" rocks. Wear eye protection. These are just a few examples.

Any symptoms I should look out for?

 

[jayball]

Any symptoms I should look out for?

For Palytoxin symptoms look at the table at the bottom here: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6431a4.htm

For the rest, most of what I have seen here on the forums is either allergic reaction (rashes and rarely other allergy type reactions) or bacterial infections (there are some bacteria that can exist in our systems that will give you a bad day if they get under your skin).

 

[mikedawg8898]

For Palytoxin symptoms look at the table at the bottom here: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6431a4.htm

For the rest, most of what I have seen here on the forums is either allergic reaction (rashes and rarely other allergy type reactions) or bacterial infections (there are some bacteria that can exist in our systems that will give you a bad day if they get under your skin).

Thank you so much

 

[Sk8r]

Nitrile exam gloves from the start from your drugstore. They'll protect you from about everything but a jab from a poison fin.And they'll prevent you getting an acquired sensitivity to corals.