Are there any dangerous corals my local fish store might sell? I really don't want to end up with something really toxic or that could send me to hospital. Read a few post on here about that now I am paranoid.
Dangerous corals?
- Thread starter Justiful
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clownfitch
Active Member
The local LFS will sell pretty much anything they can get their hands on. One local to me was advertising a wasp fish that they just got in on a local reef forum with NO warning about the fish. ALWAYS do your homework before buying something that you are not familiar with BEFORE you buy it.
melypr1985
totally addicted
There are zoanthids that have polytoxin which can be pretty dangerous when handled incorrectly. Also some anemones and even a few LPS can have a pretty good sting that could leave you with a rash or burning sensation. Sea apples and some cucumbers can poison your tank when highly stressed or if they die (or so I've read), of course that doesn't effect your health really. Then there is the plethora of poisonous fish to consider. It's all in research and proper handling. Using gloves is a good precaution to take when messing around with your tank.
Joeganja
2500 Club Member
I've noticed euphyllias like frogspawn, torch, hammer corals whenever I touch them will start to give me a little itchy feeling but nothing to be worked up about just wash with fresh water. Just a heads up there was a guy who decided to clean his rock by boiling hot water on it right? So apparently he had some palythoas or zoanthids on it that he boiled and what happened was their palytoxin (the worlds second most deadliest natural poison) was breathed through his lungs and his wife's and his dogs. So hours later he was rushed to the ER with struggle to breath and vomiting and all that stuff and he figured out he was poisoned. So palytoxin is one of the higher ones you should watch out for. Whether it's cutting zoas and palythoas with a blade you might squirt something in your eyes or mouth. But whenever you are handling coral, handle with care especially cutting them and always rinse your hands off and if you can wear gloves and protective goggles.
Yeah not to much to worry about not unless you have a blue ring octopus in your tank. Probably more likely to get ill from touching your skimmer just make sure you read up and wash your hands after fiddling with stuff. I have been stung by my fox face.
melypr1985
totally addicted
most likely had copper in it. Could be any number of meds/antibiotics in there and they didn't want your hands in it. You could transfer that medication to another of their tanks or your own. Nice of them to warn ya.
Kungpaoshizi
Valuable Member
Paly's and zoa's are a couple to avoid, 2nd or 3rd most toxic poison in the marine environment iirc... Otherwise not many other corals will have poisons that can affect you to any larger degree.
There's a story about a guy who boiled some rocks on his stove to clean the rocks, they had paly's in them, his wife, couple kids, and 2 dogs all got deathly ill and had to go to the hospital that evening. Luckily they pinpointed it to paly toxin, otherwise they all would have died most likely.
There's a lot in the water itself bacterial wise that will wreak havoc too, so always be sure to wear gloves.
I never did thinking it could never happen, then I got a flesh-eating bacteria that nearly cost me my leg. 26,000$ later and a week in the hospital and I now always wear gloves.
There's a story about a guy who boiled some rocks on his stove to clean the rocks, they had paly's in them, his wife, couple kids, and 2 dogs all got deathly ill and had to go to the hospital that evening. Luckily they pinpointed it to paly toxin, otherwise they all would have died most likely.
There's a lot in the water itself bacterial wise that will wreak havoc too, so always be sure to wear gloves.
I never did thinking it could never happen, then I got a flesh-eating bacteria that nearly cost me my leg. 26,000$ later and a week in the hospital and I now always wear gloves.
steve&mari
Blessed Reefer
Things with palys is it's the duller ones that seem to pack the biggest punch. Gloves when messing with tank n corals if you get into fragging then eye protection. Normal hygiene of washing hands when done ect and you're fine.
guy fawkes
Active Member
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Some urchins can sting as well.
Reeferside
Active Member
That's the funnest part
My LFS has 1 trained person who is there 9-3 6 days a week. And a manager there randomly with some experience. But they also have random employees who know nothing dishing out fish.
Is it evil that I think it would be funny now to ask them to turn around some of the corals so I can get a better look?
Is it evil that I think it would be funny now to ask them to turn around some of the corals so I can get a better look?
