Are Corals Dangerous?

[dcphillip]

Hi all,

I just bought a toadstool leather (first coral) for my son's aquarium. He's 7 and the aquarium is in his bedroom with no lid. Someone in the house thinks it's a bad idea to have a coral in my kid's room. Should this cause any reason for concern?

 

[encrustingacro]

No, most corals are not dangerous to humans. however, some people are allergic to some corals such as euphyllia/fimbriaphyllia.

 

[waterbox15aio]

Some corals such as palys have toxins you have to be careful not to get into your eyes when fragging etc.

However corals are generally safe unless the kids going to try and eat it or something. Even in that case, there are probably just as bad if not worse chemicals elsewhere in your house like bleach. So assuming you’re not worried about the kid drinking bleach, I personally wouldn’t worry about having coral.

Also note some corals can sting when touched. I’d personally be more worried about the kid being reckless and crack/breaking the tank glass.

 

[dcphillip]

No, most corals are not dangerous to humans. however, some people are allergic to some corals such as euphyllia/fimbriaphyllia.

I would love to know that Toadstool Leather's specifically "are not dangerous to responsible adults or irresponsible kids". Am I good with the leather?

 

[Tonycass12]

Hi all,

I just bought a toadstool leather (first coral) for my son's aquarium. He's 7 and the aquarium is in his bedroom with no lid. Someone in the house thinks it's a bad idea to have a coral in my kid's room. Should this cause any reason for concern?

I would agree with your wife but not over dangers to your kid. More likely the dangers to the tank inhabitants due to 7yo dirty hands and curiosity lol

 

[skydirt]

You are good with the leather

 

[laezur]

I would love to know that Toadstool Leather's specifically "are not dangerous to responsible adults or irresponsible kids". Am I good with the leather?

Leathers are harmless I touch mine up all the time when moving stuff, it hates me lol. He shouldn’t be dipping his hands in the tank anyway, now is a good a time as ever to learn that and start him reefing young!

 

[Tamberav]

As long as he doesn't play with it and put his hands in mouth... they do produce toxins but not like a palythoa. I wouldn't suggest licking or eating one. He is 7 though so should be old enough to have an aquarium.

I believe certain types of cyanobacteria can produce palytoxin like substances but like I said.. he is 7.. so he can probably understand not to play around in the tank.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

my oldest daughter is 6, she just loves cleaning glass with scrubber.. that's it ,I would not let her get her hands wet in my aquriam , if you feel the need to ask than go with your feelings and do not allow children near.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Leathers do produce toxins, but those are only inside the water and only affect other corals. To us, leathers are perhaps the least deadly coral there is.
I’d agree that having a lidless tank in a child’s room will likely be far more dangerous to the tank than to the child.

 

[Tamberav]

I think more you need to talk to him about saftey and such.

We are talking about water with a heater and a light. Electrical equiptment. I have mine plugged into a GFCI just incase.