Box jelly at fish store

[Rodolfo Garcia]

So just yesterday i was at this local fish store. They get shipments every Tuesday. As i was walking along the tanks i came across a very interesting jellyfish. I then saw it was a “Box Jellyfish.” How in the world would they risk having something of that caliber in an unopened tank at waist height, where a child can reach and touch the jelly? Isn’t this supposed to be the most toxic animal on Earth? I just left and did not say anything, i dont know if i should have.

 

[dantimdad]

I highly doubt it was a real box jelly fish.

I think you can only import venomous animals with a special permit.

This may have been to be sensational or just a mistake.

Even, still, they shouldn't have it in an open tank because, as far as I know, all jellyfish can give you a sting of some sort and they need to be kept safe from people's hands.

 

[Ruben's Reef]

So just yesterday i was at this local fish store. They get shipments every Tuesday. As i was walking along the tanks i came across a very interesting jellyfish. I then saw it was a “Box Jellyfish.” How in the world would they risk having something of that caliber in an unopened tank at waist height, where a child can reach and touch the jelly? Isn’t this supposed to be the most toxic animal on Earth? I just left and did not say anything, i dont know if i should have.

I would ask "playing stupid" if that's the more dangerous jelly on earth to see if they know what it is.

 

[dantimdad]

Distribution
Although the notoriously dangerous species of box jellyfish are largely restricted to the tropical Indo-Pacific region, various species of box jellyfish can be found widely in tropical and subtropical oceans, including the Atlantic Ocean and the east Pacific Ocean, with species as far north as California (Carybdea confusa), the Mediterranean Sea (Carybdea marsupialis)[15] and Japan (such as Chironex yamaguchii),[3] and as far south as South Africa (for example, Carybdea branchi)[4] and New Zealand (such as Copula sivickisi).[16]

So it's possible it's from here and not deadly.
But, it would still give a nasty sting.
I stand corrected.

 

[SDK]

Location please so I can pick it up? I need a birthday gift for my mother in law

 

[Greybeard]

There are lots of jellies in the seas... I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that this one was a serious stinger, but I certainly wouldn't assume it's NOT.

Many years ago, blue ring octopus would show up in LFS's from time to time.

Talk to the people running the shop. What is their story?

 

[ajhudson15]

how do people put their hands in an unopened tank?

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Next time you go back take a picture. Would be very interested to see what they actually have.

 

[acro-ed]

I highly doubt it was an actual box jelly. Someone was being silly. I still don't think they should have it accessible, but how often do we see venomous fish in low tanks? As a business liability issue I would take greater care, but to each their own.

 

[jeffchapok]

how do people put their hands in an unopened tank?

I was at a LFS recently and the saleslady said someone reached into their frag tank with apparently something on their hands, and shortly thereafter everything died. She said they lost $10k in livestock and are still trying to recover.

 

[ajhudson15]

I was at a LFS recently and the saleslady said someone reached into their frag tank with apparently something on their hands, and shortly thereafter everything died. She said they lost $10k in livestock and are still trying to recover.

I was just trying to be funny. The op said it was an "unopened" tank so there should be no opening to stick their hands in lol

 

[Greybeard]

I was at a LFS recently and the saleslady said someone reached into their frag tank with apparently something on their hands, and shortly thereafter everything died. She said they lost $10k in livestock and are still trying to recover.

Ugh.

I killed my own tank a few years ago. Had been cleaning firearms, had solvents, oils, etc. on my hands... and darned well knew I did. Walked past my tank, noted a frag that had gotten knocked off it's ledge, reached in and put it back... I was in a hurry, we were packing to leave for Christmas. By the time I got back, complete wipeout.

For many years, I've considered Rule 1 of marine aquaria to be 'Nothing good happens fast'.
After this happened, I coined Greybeard's rule 2: 'Keep your dag blasted mitts out of the blanking tank!'

 

[ajhudson15]

Ugh.

I killed my own tank a few years ago. Had been cleaning firearms, had solvents, oils, etc. on my hands... and darned well knew I did. Walked past my tank, noted a frag that had gotten knocked off it's ledge, reached in and put it back... I was in a hurry, we were packing to leave for Christmas. By the time I got back, complete wipeout.

For many years, I've considered Rule 1 of marine aquaria to be 'Nothing good happens fast'.
After this happened, I coined Greybeard's rule 2: 'Keep your dag blasted mitts out of the blanking tank!'

LOL I love this. I hate putting my hands in the tank but find myself doing it often and afterwards I think. what the heck did I just do that for. I even have those aquagloves that go to my arm pits and I also have that reef safe soap to use but always forget

 

[dantimdad]

Ugh.

I killed my own tank a few years ago. Had been cleaning firearms, had solvents, oils, etc. on my hands... and darned well knew I did. Walked past my tank, noted a frag that had gotten knocked off it's ledge, reached in and put it back... I was in a hurry, we were packing to leave for Christmas. By the time I got back, complete wipeout.

For many years, I've considered Rule 1 of marine aquaria to be 'Nothing good happens fast'.
After this happened, I coined Greybeard's rule 2: 'Keep your dag blasted mitts out of the blanking tank!'

We all make mistakes. Some of us (myself included see- metal rim debacle in my build thread) very costly ones.

Sorry that happened.

 

[SDK]

At a local aquarium store I managed a ways back, there was a guy who was always perusing the fish tanks, but never purchased anything. He always came in with a 64 oz Big Gulp and would wander the isles sipping his drink and looking.

I got suspicious of him and decided to figure out what he was up to. The guy actually had aquarium water in the Big Gulp cup, and was grabbing fish and stuffing them into it. Hands right in the tank and everything.

In hindsight I have to say it was pretty clever. His mistake was getting greedy. If he only came in once in a while I don't think we would have ever caught him...

 

[Ocean Lotion]

There are lots of jellies in the seas... I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that this one was a serious stinger, but I certainly wouldn't assume it's NOT.

Many years ago, blue ring octopus would show up in LFS's from time to time.

Talk to the people running the shop. What is their story?

When I was managing a lfs in Dallas in the late 80s I had a blue ring octaves come in on a shipment which I did not order. When ever I placed an order I would always say "and give me another $500 of anything you have that is interesting." That was interesting alright. I closed the box right back up and called the owner who had someone experienced with them come pick it up.

 

[Rodolfo Garcia]

Sorry guys, im at work. Did not know i’d get this many replies this early lol. Well i am in Houston Texas, the asian store is called city pets. And also they have carried blue ringed octopus as well.
And to the smart butt (jk) i meant to say opened top aquarium.
I will take a picture on Saturday when i go if it is still there. I just hope they dont sell that jelly to someone who does not really know anything about jellies.

On another note. Quickly changing the subject, i read some post that said, sticking their hand in the tank killed off everything. How do i avoid this? I mean like i almost seriously stick my hand in the water like everyday . Do i wash my hands with hand soap and then it will be safe? I did see something about reef soap. Please i dont want to kill my anemones and corals.

 

[Greybeard]

When I was managing a lfs in Dallas in the late 80s I had a blue ring octaves come in on a shipment which I did not order. When ever I placed an order I would always say "and give me another $500 of anything you have that is interesting." That was interesting alright. I closed the box right back up and called the owner who had someone experienced with them come pick it up.

Good for you. Not all LFS people are as reasonable.

I got yelled at for killing a sale back in the late 90's. LFS guy was ready to bag up a blue ring octopus for a 10 year old kid and his mom, as a 'first fish' for his his brand new, just cycled 29 gallon aquarium. Never mentioned to Mom that the darned thing could easily kill her son.

 

[KrisReef]

Location please so I can pick it up? I need a birthday gift for my mother in law

That is so cruel. I don’t think you should do this. I Had one and my mother-in-law reached her hand into the tank and ate it.

 

[samnaz]

Would definitely like to see a photo of this “box jelly” to be sure.

I can’t think of one good reason anyone would want to own one. I just don’t see the point when you can own a similar looking jellyfish that won’t kill you, so why bother?

Shame on that LFS if it IS a box jellyfish. If it’s supposed to be a joke, swing and a miss if you ask me...