Hitchhiker on Leather Coral

[KGaugler]

I recently received a beautiful Toadstool Leather from Live Aquaria. Absolutley love it! But I found this hitchhiker near its base. I’m not sure what it is and whether or not I should remove it, keep it where it is, move it somewhere else or what. I’m sure this has been answers a thousand times and I apologize for being such a noob. Thanks for any help.

 

[rkpetersen]

It's a palythoa polyp. Very common hitchhiker.
Likely won't bother the leather at all, but will multiply into a carpet of them.
They do produce a deadly toxin (lol, not kidding), but it generally isn't an issue unless you have a LOT of them and you're careless handling them.
I'd keep it.

Also, -

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[KGaugler]

It's a palythoa polyp. Very common hitchhiker.
Likely won't bother the leather at all, but will multiply into a carpet of them.
They do produce a deadly toxin (lol, not kidding), but it generally isn't an issue unless you have a LOT of them and you're careless handling them.
I'd keep it.

Also, -

-

Than you. So if it is toxic will it harm the leather coral? Should I try to move it to another location?

 

[rkpetersen]

If you pull it off without taking a piece of rock with it, it'll most likely die.
I'd just leave it there. As the leather grows it will shade the paly which will then grow/multiply less.

 

[LesPoissons]

I consider it a little bonus coral. Dont touch it with your fingers.

 

[KGaugler]

Thank you all.

 

[James M]

I consider it a little bonus coral. Dont touch it with your fingers.

Why can’t you touch it with your fingers ?

 

[rkpetersen]

Why can’t you touch it with your fingers ?

Palytoxin can be absorbed through skin, especially if you have any cuts or abrasions. ;Dead

 

[James M]

Palytoxin can be absorbed through skin, especially if you have any cuts or abrasions. ;Dead

I touch mine all the time when fragging but okay

 

[Hemmdog]

I touch mine all the time when fragging but okay

Always wear gloves and goggles, that’s very dangerous.

 

[rkpetersen]

I touch mine all the time when fragging but okay

Some palys contain more toxin than others, and you can't readily determine that just by inspection.
And you're right, in most cases, nothing will happen.
But given how dangerous this toxin is, the first time it happens could put one in the hospital.

 

[Hemmdog]

Or grave

 

[Stuartmercer]

Don't scare the poor person

 

[KGaugler]

Probably good advice to me anyway as I am very allergic to bee stings. So if the toxin is anything like bee venom, I’d best be careful.

 

[ahiggins]

I touch mine all the time when fragging but okay

I have bare handed fragged OTHER palys in the past but never these. These are the “grandis” variety and will put off some nasty toxins. Can even go airborne outside of the tank. I won’t even let them grow in my system.