Palytoxin:Zoas vs Palys

[oysterk]

So I've been reading up on palytoxin, and how some aquarists have almost died from contact.
I've heard that palys produce more palytoxin then zoas, is that true?

 

[oysterk]

Anyone?

 

[twilliard]

I believe its all about the size of the polyp.
Yes they both carry it.
The biggest threat is when people boil rock with what they call nuisance polyps.
This can be highly toxic.

 

[redfishbluefish]

They are both wicked poisons. A back-woods saying was, "First I shot him, and then I hung him." Either way, you're dead. So pick your poison. I've been effected by both....and it wasn't a happy experience. I will not pick the better of the two.

 

[TheEngineer]

I've always regarded the larger polyps as more of a concern, but only because of their likelihood to squirt you than their smaller counterparts.

 

[oysterk]

Thanks guys. Also, when I seem to recall something during Julian Sprungs seminar on palytoxin at Macna this year about palytoxin being able to enter the bloodstream through the skin? Not even through a cut, just directly through the skin.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Yep! That's the problem I had. Bumped into a bunch with my hands while trying to catch a fish. Nothing that night....until a couple hours later where I had welts. The following day I felt malaise and had to spend the day in bed, while it took a number of days for the welts to disappear.

 

[joshporksandwich]

The worse of them all are the protopaly or the slimy ones then the other 2 I think are the same.