Paly toxin

[Dgunn]

I purchased several frags from a friend who is shutting down his tank.
One frag, a former bubble coral, has been overrun by green Palythoa. There is/was a bit of bubble left on the frag so on the recommendation of the former owner I tried to break off the end of the frag. In the process the Paly's went nuts releasing tons of toxin.
I put the frag of Palys in a small bucket and I've changed the water three times but there still sliming.
Should I just toss the bunch or keep switching out the water until it may be safe to return them to the sump or frag tank?

 

[tsouth]

Do you want a large rock of brown paly's in your tank? Will you want to constantly think about the risk? What will make you feel better at night before you sleep?

Sliming is the natural response corals have towards being stressed - which I would assume is the case since you're doing all of these changes to it.

Fact check this - but I believe palytoxin is released when the coral is punctured, not through slime.

Do what makes you feel safest.

 

[Dgunn]

Green, not brown. Their not in the display but were temporarily in a frag tank with some other Zoas.
But your are correct, they are not my favorite because I like to sleep at night...

 

[vetteguy53081]

Switching water acceptable. It will heal over. Ventilate though so there are no gases released which should not be

 

[tsouth]

Green, not brown. Their not in the display but were temporarily in a frag tank with some other Zoas.
But your are correct, they are not my favorite because I like to sleep at night...

Regardless of the color, what I'm trying to have you focus on is whether or not you think they're valuable enough to keep. In my opinion, you have done tremendous amounts of work to keep them, and it would've been effort wasted to toss them - but it also seemed like you were already one foot out the door on these and ready to give them a toss. Would you regret getting rid of them or regret the possible effects of their demise towards the rest of your livestock?

I think you should keep them for another day or two and go from there! Also run carbon to reduce the risk of the potential spread of palytoxins. Hope this helps

 

[Leslie Tabor]

Green, not brown. Their not in the display but were temporarily in a frag tank with some other Zoas.
But your are correct, they are not my favorite because I like to sleep at night...

Ppl do get a little excited about the palytoxin. I have tons of them and I don't boil them on the stove so I don't have a problem. I wear gloves if I have to mess with them. I like them, send them to me!

 

[ScottB]

All paly have some amount of toxin. A very few have scorching amounts of toxin. There are scientific tables around here describing the concentrations by species.

Were it me, I would chuck them. There are SO MANY better looking corals that don't carry that risk profile as a health hazard OR as an invasive nuisance coral (a much more likely effect).

Three guys in my LFS all went down for 24-48 hours after handling the same stupid paly filled rocks.

 

[Brad Waddell Wrath's Reef]

I have Palys and Zoas and I have not had any issues. Some people just do not know how to handle Palys. If you like them keep them, if not pass them on to someone that wants them.

 

[Dgunn]

Thanks, seems like there are differing opinions on what value they hold. My concern was more with wasting a healthy colony that someone would enjoy very much. I just started back in the hobby after 5 years off. I've kept Palys in the past but this time I'm being more selective about what I put in the tank. These were in a frag tank along with about 30 other corals as part of a "package buy out deal" There are several duplicates so I was planning on passing some of the corals on to others. I was just worried that the toxin might harm the rest of the corals in the frag tank.

After leaving them in the bucket a little longer I put them in the sump/fuge by the grow light. They are starting to open up again so all is well.

In the picture the Palys are in the right rear for perspective.

 

[TripleTruble]

Everyone has their different likes and dislikes. If it were me why throw something like that away? There are people that will take them. I have a form of palythoa on an isolated rock nice different addition. Do some water changes run some carbon you will be fine.

 

[Leslie Tabor]

I like those! I would keep them! But I am a sucker for things that thrive. I did the "fancy" stuff...most of it is a waste of $$$$. Now, if it grows it is ok by me! Lol

 

[Dgunn]

Agreed Leslie, three months ago I had nothing in my tank.
Now I'm able to pick and choose.
I've watched too many videos lately of great looking mixed reef tanks. I've put a lot of time and money into the setup, why not try to keep the best tank that I can afford?

 

[Brad Waddell Wrath's Reef]

Thanks, seems like there are differing opinions on what value they hold. My concern was more with wasting a healthy colony that someone would enjoy very much. I just started back in the hobby after 5 years off. I've kept Palys in the past but this time I'm being more selective about what I put in the tank. These were in a frag tank along with about 30 other corals as part of a "package buy out deal" There are several duplicates so I was planning on passing some of the corals on to others. I was just worried that the toxin might harm the rest of the corals in the frag tank.

After leaving them in the bucket a little longer I put them in the sump/fuge by the grow light. They are starting to open up again so all is well.

In the picture the Palys are in the right rear for perspective.

Those look to be Texas Trash Palys. They grow fast so isolate them if you can. I usually sell frags for $5. Yes they are toxic but only if you upset them. They will be fine otherwise.