I am planning on making a reef tank and have seen some awesome looking Zoanthids. But, I've heard they release a toxin called Palytoxin. There have been some disagreements about if they really have a lethal dose or even if they really have Palytoxin. I just want to be sure if it is safe for the home aquarium. Will, gloves be enough to protect myself from the polyps? Also, how do they manage to squirt in one's eyes?
Zoanthids Question
- Thread starter er100
- Start date
So, googles aren't necessary if I don't frag them? I remember in another thread, that the Zoanthid did squirt in another person's eyes but, I'm not sure.
MondoBongo
Obligate Feeder Obsessed
they squirt when they are out of the water as a defense mechanism.
not all Z's and P's produce palytoxin from my understanding, but it is unclear which ones do and do not. what is clear, is that some do, and it can be extremely dangerous if handled incorrectly.
some people will experience non-contact dermatitis, although most reports i've seen result in some form of contact with the skin, e.g. brushing up against them while cleaning, or from an aerosolized delivery such as killing off Z's or P's with boiling water, boiling or cooking live rock (NEVER DO THIS!), etc... etc...
many people keep them without issue, but i personally didn't care for the risk, so i removed them all from my reef over two years ago. i don't regret it. they're like a weed and just take up space from more interesting corals. that's one man's opinion, so take from it what you will.
not all Z's and P's produce palytoxin from my understanding, but it is unclear which ones do and do not. what is clear, is that some do, and it can be extremely dangerous if handled incorrectly.
some people will experience non-contact dermatitis, although most reports i've seen result in some form of contact with the skin, e.g. brushing up against them while cleaning, or from an aerosolized delivery such as killing off Z's or P's with boiling water, boiling or cooking live rock (NEVER DO THIS!), etc... etc...
many people keep them without issue, but i personally didn't care for the risk, so i removed them all from my reef over two years ago. i don't regret it. they're like a weed and just take up space from more interesting corals. that's one man's opinion, so take from it what you will.
I'm no expert by any means, what I've read was some are super toxic some are not. just never know what you have. when fragging wear goggles and gloves, don't touch face eyes mouth until wash hands. I've got some no big deal if you take precautions. i wash hands arms after I'm in my tank.
So, would they squirt if I would take them out from the LFS and into my tank? Since that would mean I would have to take them out of the water.they squirt when they are out of the water as a defense mechanism.
not all Z's and P's produce palytoxin from my understanding, but it is unclear which ones do and do not. what is clear, is that some do, and it can be extremely dangerous if handled incorrectly.
some people will experience non-contact dermatitis, although most reports i've seen result in some form of contact with the skin, e.g. brushing up against them while cleaning, or from an aerosolized delivery such as killing off Z's or P's with boiling water, boiling or cooking live rock (NEVER DO THIS!), etc... etc...
many people keep them without issue, but i personally didn't care for the risk, so i removed them all from my reef over two years ago. i don't regret it. they're like a weed and just take up space from more interesting corals. that's one man's opinion, so take from it what you will.
homer1475
New member
Did not know that, and I have a tank full. I have never seen mine squirt when taken out of the water. You learn something new every day.
whosurcaddie
New member
Ive kept zoa's for 10 years. I have never seen one squirt when it was taken from the water. Usually what happens is someone will handle zoa's and rub their eye or there mouth and then they get sick. As long as you wear gloves when handling them, and dispose of the gloves afterwards, there is almost zero risk of being poisoned. In the unlikely event that you are poisoned its rarely life threatening.
Ive handled them with bare hands many times but I do recommend wearing gloves.
Ive handled them with bare hands many times but I do recommend wearing gloves.
That's good to know. I guess I will just have to be very careful when handling them. Thanks for the response.
MondoBongo
Obligate Feeder Obsessed
Did not know that, and I have a tank full. I have never seen mine squirt when taken out of the water. You learn something new every day.
this is another one of those things where only some may do it. it is unclear to me if it is only certain species, or if there is some specific trigger that causes them to do it:
http://www.coralpedia.com/index.php?module=Gallery2&g2_itemId=1422
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blo...hids-can-temporarily-or-permanently-blind-you
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1445279
I have never seen my zoa/palys squirt either. However $5 safety goggles from home depot is certainly worth it. usually use them when i am handling corals outside of water. e.g. dips/fragging
I never used gloves. I have however dealt with a super swollen thumb that needed icing down. i think that was more because i had a small cut and was messing with rocks in tank. I am a little more mindful about that now
I never used gloves. I have however dealt with a super swollen thumb that needed icing down. i think that was more because i had a small cut and was messing with rocks in tank. I am a little more mindful about that now
heathlindner25
New member
I've seen them squirt...lol
whosurcaddie
New member
Ive had a tingling feeling in my fingers after handling them but I washed my hands extremely well and it faded after a bit. Its one of the most potent poisons in the world, so the dose we would have gotten had to be minuscule.
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