Zoas and toxicity

[joe143]

Hey guys!

So over the weekend I picked up a rock with a couple frags on it, some zoas included.

So I know Zoas can release a deadly toxin. I wanna make sure I got my info correct. The toxin is only secreted when the zoa is being damaged or cut, correct? Also, the toxin can only enter via mouth or open wound?

So my current thinking is I only need to be really careful when handling/ fraging zoas. The zoas wont just randomly secrete toxin in my tank correct?

I do have pets and eventually children so I just wanna make sure I got my facts straight here.

 

[patsfan1130]

This has been a long, ongoing debate. bottomline is...wear gloves and eye protection when handling / fragging, dont put them in your salad at dinner time and all will be fine.

 

[Jeff]

This has been a long, ongoing debate. bottomline is...wear gloves and eye protection when handling / fragging, dont put them in your salad at dinner time and all will be fine.

Agreed. I handle a lot of zoas and palys and I have some (brown palys) that secrete a LOT of toxin and often cause small infections on my finger tips if I dont wear gloves. There are a lot of very small cuts on the fingers and it's easy to get the toxin in that way.

 

[MikeandNicole]

I am friends with a guy who got a skin condition form having his hands in the tanks all the time and fragging. He has about 99% softies and zoas and the rash he has had for almost a year. His dermatologist can't figure it out and he has to be real careful working in the tank or it comes back. I would wear gloves and goggles when fragging.

 

[Friday Night]

This has been a long, ongoing debate. bottomline is...wear gloves and eye protection when handling / fragging, dont put them in your salad at dinner time and all will be fine.

Now you tell me..... :thumbsup:


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1804905

 

[AJSTITAN14]

I would wear gloves and goggles when fragging.

Would amend this to gloves and a face shield. With goggles you can still end up with material getting sprayed into your nose or mouth and that's almost as bad as getting hit in the eyes.

 

[Friday Night]

Lets just make it easy when fragging zoas/palys FULL HAZMAT SUIT PEOPLE

 

[joe143]

So the only real concern is when fragging zoas? The Zoas can only release the toxin when being cut?

 

[90greefman]

Pretty much anytime you handle a zoa you should wash your hands afterwards. IE If you were to move them in your tank, have a rock fall on them by accident and one gets smashed, it will release toxins into your tank and then the toxins get on you. It might be a small amount but then if you proceed to lick your fingers, rub your eye or have a cut you more than likely with feel the negative effects of the toxins. If you frag zoas treat them like working with hazardous materials. I have a 90g with tons of zoas and have never had an issue but I have always treated them with great respect and handled them with care.

 

[AJSTITAN14]

So the only real concern is when fragging zoas? The Zoas can only release the toxin when being cut?

Palytoxin is excreted in the mucous. Any interaction with your tank that would expose you to the mucous of the Zoos is something to be concerned about. Since the toxin is suspended in the mucous it is easily washed away and has a difficult time getting into your system unless it gets on a cut or mucous membrane.

 

[650-IS350]

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...3ee7727b11d33c

 

[jmsteve3]

My neighbor was fragging some zoas and accidentily cut himself, and immediately stopped. He still experienced dizziness and quickened heartbeat. Due to the zoas? I'm not sure, but maybe.