TheEngineer
Formerly icecool2
A DIY aiptasia zapper. Feels good to watch em melt.
Palythoa cowboy
- Thread starter McMullen
- Start date
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Nope not likely just one hobbyist view on a different approach. Pretty sure I have seen this members tanks on a different forum so yeah no.
My issue with the palytoxin controversy is that:
1. We know for sure that palytoxin itself is dangerous, and is found in palythoa/zoanthid species.
2. We know that there is a lot of variability in how much toxin different corals have, from approximately none to life-threatening levels.
3. Most species/morphs in the hobby are low/safer levels, but we can’t reliably tell the difference. The generalizations out there are often wrong when tested.
4. The only way for an average hobbyist to find out wether or not their coral has dangerous levels is to get sick with exposure.
I think there would be a market for hobby-grade testing for palytoxin, then we would know and be able to handle appropriately. Maybe the Zoa breeders could even breed it out or to lower levels. Short of that, we have to treat them all like they are dangerous, and the stories of people handing THEIR coral without gear and not getting sick don’t really change that at all.
1. We know for sure that palytoxin itself is dangerous, and is found in palythoa/zoanthid species.
2. We know that there is a lot of variability in how much toxin different corals have, from approximately none to life-threatening levels.
3. Most species/morphs in the hobby are low/safer levels, but we can’t reliably tell the difference. The generalizations out there are often wrong when tested.
4. The only way for an average hobbyist to find out wether or not their coral has dangerous levels is to get sick with exposure.
I think there would be a market for hobby-grade testing for palytoxin, then we would know and be able to handle appropriately. Maybe the Zoa breeders could even breed it out or to lower levels. Short of that, we have to treat them all like they are dangerous, and the stories of people handing THEIR coral without gear and not getting sick don’t really change that at all.
nfrench2100
Active Member
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About 2 months ago I saw a documented case (I can’t recall exactly from who, or which forum) of a guy getting palytoxin poisoning from handle his palys. Came with pictures of his wounds and all. Mind you I’m fairly new to reefing. But that was all it took for me to be cautious when handling them. I don’t wear goggles or a hazmat suit. But I do wear either gloves or finger cots when I get new palys or zoas, and when I need to move them around in my DT. I even get extremely uneasy, anxious, nervous, scared etc... lol. I remember the first zoas I put in my tank about 3 months ago, I was physically shaking. Funny? Absolutely. Extreme? Probably. But that’s just me
Overall my point is. I don’t care what anyone says about how they handle their palys/zoas. It’s not gonna change the precautions that I take when handling them. Heck, the owner of my LFS even got a giggle when I told him how I handled them. He said he too just plucks them out barehanded and doesn’t think twice about it
To each their own
Overall my point is. I don’t care what anyone says about how they handle their palys/zoas. It’s not gonna change the precautions that I take when handling them. Heck, the owner of my LFS even got a giggle when I told him how I handled them. He said he too just plucks them out barehanded and doesn’t think twice about it
To each their own
tony'stank
Active Member
I had palys grow wild and overgrown my tank. I was cavalier and careless about handling them like this poster. I should have known better because I am in the medical field. I went to change my aquascape and placed my live rocks in a kiddie pool on my patio. My dog took a small drink from the pool and died in less than an hour. Since then I have never had palys. I would recommend real caution in handling them. People can survive playing Russian roulette too but does it make any sense
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McMullen
Valuable Member
My post and lack of caution pertains only to what I consider normal handling. Hands coming in contact with palythoas. If paly slime containing toxin is ingested or comes in contact with mucous membranes there may very well be a problem. Loss of a pet is devistaing and an example for others.
However, I maintain for sticking your hand in the tank or removing palythoas the risk is "minimal." It's not zero, someone is gonna pick there nose or wipe there mouth after contact. Honestly, I've done it. I've had my bottom lip tingle, lesson learned. My only point was to minimize some of the fear. I knew it was likely no one would share this view point.
However, I maintain for sticking your hand in the tank or removing palythoas the risk is "minimal." It's not zero, someone is gonna pick there nose or wipe there mouth after contact. Honestly, I've done it. I've had my bottom lip tingle, lesson learned. My only point was to minimize some of the fear. I knew it was likely no one would share this view point.
Stigigemla
Well-Known Member
I thought we all know that all Palythoa is not poisonous. And that fact has nothing to do with how poisinous others are.
There are poisinous Zoanthus too even though most of them are harmless.
All corals can carry Vibrio bacteria in their slime so dont put your hands in the tank if you have wounds. Its not in all tanks but is impossible to see with your eyes only.
This counts for everyone.
Some people have a sensitive skin and can get stung of corals as Euphyllia. A few people are allergic to corals but that does not mean everyone.
There are poisinous Zoanthus too even though most of them are harmless.
All corals can carry Vibrio bacteria in their slime so dont put your hands in the tank if you have wounds. Its not in all tanks but is impossible to see with your eyes only.
This counts for everyone.
Some people have a sensitive skin and can get stung of corals as Euphyllia. A few people are allergic to corals but that does not mean everyone.
happyhourhero
Burner of the Tips
I personally try to only handle them under water and protect my eyes if I have them out so when they pop it doesn’t hit me in the eyes. I’ve seen enough photos of that to err on the side of caution. After I am done, I wash my hands and wash and put away any tools or surfaces they came into contact with. I’d hate for my kid or dog to get into anything.
Seems odd to come on here and try to promote recklessness and downplay a potential threat while having seemingly nothing to gain other than perhaps some macho points?
Seems odd to come on here and try to promote recklessness and downplay a potential threat while having seemingly nothing to gain other than perhaps some macho points?
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McMullen
Valuable Member
I surely don't want to debate or argue. Feel free to continue to disagree. Viewpoints, including my own on this topic are based on personal bias and speculation sprinkled with a handful of facts.
srad750c
Well-Known Member
I hope people don't follow the way you handle palythoas, you and others that take this approach, God forbid will have some kind of reaction. Arsenic, lead and certain everyday chemicals we are exposed to sooner or later will, at the right level will pose a threat. Just saying.
I bought a paly frag one year ago with about 10 heads. It now has over 200 heads. Definitely an issue, but one I can make a lot of mony off of.
