Can this coral kill me?

[scubareefer]

Now that I have your attention, should I keep this frag in my 3.7 gallon tank? I wasn’t aware of palytoxins until after I placed the coral in the tank. What is the potential for the toxins to be released and to come into contact with me? I wear gloves anytime I do water exchanges or perform husbandry. Am I being paranoid or is it worth taking back? I also have a frag of gsp and anthelia. Do I need to be worried about these coral? Idea of the tank is to be low maintenance with easy corals that reproduce quickly and I don’t want to worry about being introduced to a toxic chemical.

 

[RamsReef]

It can cause you great harm. I don't recommend unless you are a seasoned reefer. The more colorful ones are fine and contain near 0 toxins.

 

[Hemmdog]

Those are one of the most toxic varieties, small water volume, I’d get rid of it. If you are running carbon then you should be fine. The brightly colored ones are much safer, Smaller (Zoas) are safer too.

 

[Sea MunnKey]

I got toxins in both my eyes a while back while handling some nice Hawaiian Palys. Didn't wear any gloves & used my bare hands to remove contact lens after handling palys. Bad news! Next morning woke up with blistering eyeballs, non stop extreme puss oozing & caking the whole eyes until i got some antibiotics. Took a few weeks to recover and my left eye still feels odd with occasional dried excess. That was about 5 - 6 years ago.

 

[scubareefer]

Recommendations on removing? I have saltwater tongs I use to move frags around. Should I use the tongs and place them into a container while still underwater? Am I okay to bring them out of the water then place into a bag or container?

I am running carbon and have a decent amount of experience in the field. But do not want to have these in my tank do to the possibility of the introduction of the toxin. Even if it is a small possibility.

 

[Quietman]

My wife has bad asthma and chronic lung issues - from factory work in her 20s. Anyway, last thing I want is to cause her any pain with my hobby. Personal choice, but if you're working about it every time you see them.... probably have your answer. I do this for enjoyment and satisfaction, not to add to my worry.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Agreed. I won't risk keeping those anymore. Not worth it.

 

[C. Eymann]

shaking my head
Rhe risks are blown way out of proportion!


Plus those pictured look like P. mutuki which have been shown to only contain traces, some specimens collected of this species of palythoa had even undetectable levels of toxins.

You take bigger risks driving your car to work everyday.

 

[VKP01]

Recommendations on removing? I have saltwater tongs I use to move frags around. Should I use the tongs and place them into a container while still underwater? Am I okay to bring them out of the water then place into a bag or container?

I am running carbon and have a decent amount of experience in the field. But do not want to have these in my tank do to the possibility of the introduction of the toxin. Even if it is a small possibility.

That method of removing them sounds good. They will be fine out of water for a few minutes, but it will cause them to release slime, which contains the toxins. So just be sure not to get the slime on stuff.

 

[old salt reefer]

I can't believe you are not dead already from when you put them into the tank. What precautions did you take when you put them into the tank? Use the same to take them out as it worked(your not dead).---Just messing with you, as C.Eymann said you are at more risk driving your car to work.
I wash my hands and arms before I put them in my tank,so nothing from them gets into tank(skin oil,bacteria,etc.) and wash then when I done( to get the salt off-causes dry skin). Of coarse having work in the medial field since 1988 has trained me well at hand washing. I can itch anywhere on my face with my shoulder, never touching my face with my hands. I think I can even pick my nose with my shoulder.

 

[C. Eymann]

I dont mean to give the green light to be careless, but same basic level of precautions should be taken with every coral, if you are fragging, wear gloves, if zoa/palys , wear eye protection in addition.

Follow the same protocols as you would a high powered cleaner, or any other toxic stuff you have lurking under your kitchen sink.


Again, coupled with the rampant misidentification caused by the "comic book" Zoa names- like Pandora palys, people eater palys, armour of the gods palys"etc etc.
all of which are actually not part of the palythoa genus at all ;Hilarious and the majority of zoanthus sp contain zero toxins at all!


Here is the problem though, It does the hobby damage when such uninformed fear mongering is run rampant.


Keeping these corals are not a risk if you take basic precautions, no different than keeping a plant or flower that has medically significant toxins, it isn't a mobile venomous animal armed with hypodermic needles, be smarter than the coral and you will be aye okay.

just my .02

 

[tehmadreefer]

With all the crazy posts of death and destruction that will happen with zoas and palys, there sure aren't any people dropping dead from em ever...

 

[Quietman]

My worry is not so much myself. Don't think I'd have an issue managing them safely or surviving a minor exposure. But I am older...what if something happens to me and she had to either get rid of tank or have someone who isn't careful do it. I don't think they should be outlawed or anything. And some of them are quite beautiful. But I am aware that my wife might not survive even minor exposure...the type commented on by seasoned aquarists experiencing....and that's a worry I just don't need to carry around. Other circumstances and I'd probably have some in my tank....or perhaps not.

 

[RamsReef]

Just get some nice looking smaller ones, stop worrying and enjoy the tank more.

 

[Fishurama]

I thought you pretty much had to inhale it,eat it, or literally have a large cut and like try to drip it on the cut to get poisoned. People get a little too nervous with it and you aren't going to get sick just by sticking your hand/arm in the tank. Below is the(or one of) the cases of the guy who boiled his rocks and had issues. Fragging is another to watch out for since it can get into your eye(which is very sensitive) or mouth which is where the real issue comes in. NIH gov link.

Palytoxin-induced acute respiratory failure - PMC

Palytoxin is one of the most potent toxins known to mankind and poses a high risk to humans through ingestion, inhalation and dermal routes [1,2]. Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown it is postulated that palytoxin binds to the ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[NanoDJS]

Massive number of zoa/paly freaks out there myself included , I wouldn't worry about it just use proper caution , don't ever buy a coral you have not researched and deemed you can keep alive ,it may keep you alive. They will outgrow your 3.7 gallon tank before anything else happens I suspect . They grow like weeds

 

[tautog83]

I never understood why anyone would buy them to begin with ..would you just look at it..lol

 

[samnaz]

if you ask me, it’s uglier than aptasia, and I’d get rid of it based on that alone. Add to that palytoxin and it’s a no brainer... not worth keeping ;-)

 

[NanoDJS]

I happen to think they are beautiful, and I totally understand the OPs purchase decision .

 

[vetteguy53081]

Crazy how something so simple can cause havoc and not even be an appealing work of art