How poisonous are valentini puffers!

[Aliciasch]

Ok so first let me mention I have OCD. I panic pretty quick... that's why I ask this. I am also relatively new to the hobby

I just bought a valentini puffer today. Hes adorable and he adapted to my tank immediately. He ate and I needed to feed my anemone and coral in there while I was at it. I use a glove but usually water gets into my glove. After tank care I ended up accidentally touching my mouth before being able to wash my hands (I'm sure I also either licked my lip or something similar)...

After this i remembered these guys can be deadly so of course I'm freaking out... how much do I need to worry and how soon will I know if I'm ok?

 

[Aliciasch]

This is him he ever "puffed up" bigger than this so I assume he didnt stress much. The algae feeder did fall but he didnt seem too phased

 

[Steven91]

never heard of anyone dying from a valentini puffer. You should be a-okay. The only way you would have to worry would be if you decided to eat it (which i dont recommend)

 

[Aliciasch]

never heard of anyone dying from a valentini puffer. You should be a-okay. The only way you would have to worry would be if you decided to eat it (which i dont recommend)

I definately wont eat him! Hes too adorable. I just panicked cuz apparently their venom can kill and i worried maybe he put some in the tank water then I transferred it. Not like I drank it... just still caused worry. Thanks!

 

[Steven91]

I definately wont eat him! Hes too adorable. I just panicked cuz apparently their venom can kill and i worried maybe he put some in the tank water then I transferred it. Not like I drank it... just still caused worry. Thanks!

Understand, I have one in my tank though with a lionfish and foxface. I am never worried about my puffer as he's pretty friendly and loves to show off. I'm more worried about my lionfish than anything else. Yes puffers are poisonous but from my knowledge its only if you eat them...hence why people die fom fugu that is not properly prepared

 

[Aliciasch]

Understand, I have one in my tank though with a lionfish and foxface. I am never worried about my puffer as he's pretty friendly and loves to show off. I'm more worried about my lionfish than anything else. Yes puffers are poisonous but from my knowledge its only if you eat them...hence why people die fom fugu that is not properly prepared

Can they release venom into the water though? Or is that not the same? I totally wanna keep him I just dont want to freak out every time I need to put my hands in to feed corals and such

 

[Steven91]

Can they release venom into the water though? Or is that not the same? I totally wanna keep him I just dont want to freak out every time I need to put my hands in to feed corals and such

no they can not release toxins into the water

 

[Wolf89]

The poison is in the meat

 

[Dom]

When the Valentini (or any puffer) blows itself up, it is because it feels threatened and needs to defend itself. As cute as it may be, that behavior indicates the puffer is unhappy for some reason.

As has been mentioned, puffer fish do not release toxins into the water, but are not good to eat. It's kinda like: "Oh yeah? You wanna eat me?? Well okay then... I'm taking you with me!" LOL