Zoanthids are they toxic?

[clamster]

kevin_kramer,

Wow! Thanks so much for sharing. As long as we heed this warning, some good comes from this.

Man, that's sad. Can you tell that if the dog had actually ingested the some of the zoo's, or just drank from the tub.

This could have some serious implications if we use our mouths to siphon tank water full of zoo's.

 

[FishyinKY]

Gawd what a sad story. I'm so sorry for your loss and I did want to make a suggestion. I told my veterinarian that I had fish tanks and the toxic species I carried just in case there was the possibility of a problem. I also let my pediatrician know. Did they think I was nuts? yet BUT they also are now prepared just in case. In your case Kev I don't think there is any known help but we hope all our well wishes and sobs that go with yours help to comfort you some.

Mac

 

[Lunchbucket]

i am truely sorry....i am at a loss for words.

my sympathy is w/ you

Lunchbucket

 

[MarksReef]

:sad1:
OHh That is a real bummer. My sincere condolences to you and your family. Thank you for sharing your warning. from now on Astro (my husky) can't help w/ chores and I'll be more carefull.
Mark

 

[Bluecheese]

Thanks for sharing...

Thanks for sharing...

Kevin, I am soo sorry for your loss, this is just a very very sad story. And I am so thankful for your post, you have managed to turn this tragedy into an extremely useful and educative thread. I have learned more on zoos and toxins with this post than anywhere I have looked before. I would have never thought that something so pretty could be so toxic.

I had no idea the toxin levels could be so high and I wonder if anyone has ever measured the levels in a tank before and after they get under the scalpel and whether these levels are far away or pretty close to the lethal dose of 4 mg discussed before.

Maury, your observation is very interesting and suggests that since your emperor is immune to the toxin it must have a mechanism to neutralize it. It would be interesting to know if any marine toxicologist is working on this.

For sure my 1 year old son will only be watching for a long time and I will put those wet towels away like the wifey always tells me too...

Sorry again...I agree that maybe something should be done so that we each print some information (or Kevin's story if he agrees) and get it posted to our LFS in our area. Hopefully online distributors will read this post and post info on it too. We have this wondreful opportunity to probably prevent more tragedies and educate people too. Of course some LFS migt not like to sell something that says " This could kill you!"...but I hope I will never read about another deadly zoos story.

Philippe

 

[delafe]

I wonder, what affect does it have on a tank when zoo's crash? Are toxins released into the water?

-Alfred

 

[Maury]

Yes, this has been EXTREMELY informative. I had NEVER heard that zoos were anything but benign. Considered them 'beginner's' corals that didn't need any special precautions/care, etc..

Well, the zoos I have are in my 55 gallon which is in my office. Sice I'm a doctor, there is no shortage of gloves!

 

[delafe]

I wonder, what affect does it have on a tank when zoo's crash? Are toxins released into the water?

-Alfred

 

[musashi666]

Thank you for sharing your experience and loss of your pet. My sincere condolonces.

-Pete

 

[drscheck]

Kevin,

I am very sorry to hear of your lose. I too, had no idea that they were that toxic.

I feel your sorrow, as I had to put-down a family pet not too long ago. And your picture started to well my eyes, as one of my dogs looks very similar to yours, I couldn't imagine loosing one of my girls.

 

[Char]

I am sick about your loss. As a dog breeder and lover, I do know how your feeling...( I no longer use Fly-Die on the farm).

It was a freak accident, please don't blame yourself, your right, dogs DO get into everything.

Char:sad2:

 

[afss]

Very very sorry to hear of your loss. We have 2 dogs as well as cats. It may not be much, but atleast take heart in th efact that you may save others animals/children from a similar fate by sharing your story

Scott

 

[Kent E]

I am sorry for your loss, and thank you for sharing with all of us. I had no idea this could ever be a problem.
Kent

 

[Diesel Man]

Wow

Wow

Did the dog eat a zoo or sniff the zoos or lick the zoos?,? were they in the water or in a bucket without water?
And Im very sorry for your loss.
But if the small dog ate a whole zoo and still took 10hrs to meet his maker, Then maybe just holding them in your hand isnt going to get you. even with a cut.
Im a diesel mechanic and have tons of cuts and scrapes even chew my nails. I also collect zoos, Lots of them and use bare hands to do it and allways have. Ive cut myself on the rocks I was taking the zoos from ripping them up by the handfull from the rocks.
I have lost zoos allover my porch packing and shipping them, my dogs however never pay them any attention, but because of your post Im going to at least pick them up from the ground when they fall and keep the dogs away. I couldnt emagine life without my two jack russels they are my kids.
But I think youd have to rub them(zoos) in a cut to get a buzz and then thats all youd get.
Hey if it can squirt you in the face and your still alive Then how bad can they be. Theres alot of stuff out there that can kill you in a second. The trick is not to eat it. Or rub it on your lips or your eyes.
Now dogs and kids dont know this, but we do.
Now I have to go flip the zoos there allmost dry and ready to smoke.

 

[kevin_kramer]

For everyone that asked feel free to use this post to inform whomever you want.

I would also like to thank everyone for the messages of condolences. Today the loss of my pet hit me like a ton of bricks. I came home to an empty house. No greeting at the door, no knocking the stuff out of my arms, and no one to give that treat to. I turned the lights off on my tank because I can't bear to look at it now. No, I am not going to get out of reefing but the tank is a source of grief right now. Thanks again for the responses it is really helping through this rough time.

Diesel Man
I to have handled zoos for years with no problem. That is why I posted this. I have no idea if she ate them drank the water or got splashed in the eyes. The point is there is always the chance that someone/something innocent can be hurt by them. From the looks of this thread most people had no idea that the possibility of this even existed. If the life of a beloved pet or child could be saved by this information than the loss of my dog was not in vain.

 

[fishpoo]

horrible, so sorry to hear of this.
my dog too, eats everything. i feed her well but still will eat a dirty black bone from the street. i'm going to be much more careful from now on.

 

[CaptainCoral]

Just found this. Horrible story. You're helping alot of people now which will help you feel much better sometime in the future. keep that chin up.

 

[MtnDewMan]

What a terrible thing to hear about. No words can ease the pain of your loss. They truly are a man's best friend.

BlennyBabe, so sorry to hear of your loss this past weekend as well ... how awful ...

 

[phdezra]

This is a very sad story. As a fish tank and dog owner, I feel for you. God bless...

 

[Conniereef]

Kevin's story will surely stay in all our minds whenever we are playing in our tanks.
One invaluable aid for minimizing hands-in-the-water time is a good pair of tongs. The cheap ones aren't worth much, but the "Aqua Tongs" (~$25) are great. They can be used to pick up a single polyp or a good-sized rock.
Gloves work well up to a point, but I usually end up in water deeper than the glove. I've tried the longer version, but they are too clumsy to pick up anything much smaller than a rock.