Zoanthids are they toxic?

[fnscasey]

Quote from the Reef Central..... Info to share !

Zoanthids are they toxic? I have to say YES! Yesterday I was getting ready for the Ohio frag swap. I was working over a rubbermade tub and my dog was sitting next to me as she always did. I got up to get some more gumbands to close the bags and when I returned she had her head in the tub. I thought nothing about it. Dogs always stick their heads in things. 12:30

I went to the frag swap and was having a really good time. An I got a call on my cell phone. My wife called to tell me that the dog was sick. 2:00

I hung around for a bit after I talked to my wife. Dogs get sick all of the time (right)?

She called again told me to come home. 3:00

I came home and the dog greeted me at the door but she was very lethargic. My wife told me to take the dog to the vet. 4:30

I took her to the vet. At this point I had to carry her from my truck. I talked to the vet and I had no idea of what could be the problem. He ran some tests on her blood and from the tests he said that it looked like she had ingested some sort of toxin. A bell went off in my head!! She had her head in my tub.

I got on my cell and had a friend do some searches about Zoanthids. We found Zoanthids carry one of the most powerful toxins in the world. The toxin is called Palytoxin. I read the symptoms and wow a direct match. Did a search for a cure only to find out that there is no antitoxin.

My dog passed away at 12:15am.

I normaly would not post any thing like this or make a post this long but I wanted everyone to know that Zoanthids are very toxic. Watch when your children and pets around your tanks. I am including a list of links to the research that we did last night. I knew that there are Zoanthids were toxic but not to this level.

http://www.asanltr.com/newsletter/0...Neurotoxins.htm

http://www.cbwinfo.com/Biological/Toxins/Palytoxin.html

It says there that Palytoxin is the #1 most toxic natural substance known to man. 4 micrograms will kill a man. Can you even see such a small amount?

Please wear gloves when dealing with Zoanthids, and if you go bare handed PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE wash your hands very well afterwards.

A cheap pair of latex gloves could save your life.

[ReDDeviLs]

so sorry to hear about the dog,and thanks to share this info.. will be xtra careful when deal with them next time.

[fnscasey]

Anyone know hot to distinguish between toxic and non-toxic zoanthid species ?

[iewnehz]

so which means dead buttons will surely release toxic in the aquarium?

[typrobin]

wah lao....now haf to be careful when dealing with corals???

my god....how to distinguish huh??

any experts can help??

[FuEl]

OMG...i never knew..to think i fragged them with bare hands before..

[xiggie]

so anyone dead yet ?????

[maKo]

How to extract the palytoxin ah... can sell!

[xiggie]

How to extract the palytoxin ah... can sell!

Pick one up and squeeze hard i think ...

[Achilles Tang]

Its so easy for a reefer to commit suicide or to kill someone! Death by 'buttons'!

Seriously, there are many toxic, venemous and poisonous creatures in our hobby and that is why knowledge is so important to ID and know what you're handling.

Hope this will spur more reefers to improve their knowledge quickly by reading, reading and reading!

[fecgoh]

I use to have a colony of bright green sea mat. When I move them around the tank, I always hold the bottom part. I got a slight cut from a broken shell below the rock. Then I turn my hand around to lift up the colony to its new place. I guess my wound brush the sea mat. For 1 day the palm of my hand is numb. I cant feel anything at all.

So for people keeping sea mats, be very carefull. All it takes is an opening on your skin. Or when you rub your eyes!!!

Frankie

[Zero Oxygen]

Heh saw this in another forum

It show some pic of zoanthids that high high toxic level

http://www.reeflounge.com/forum/viewtopic....5&view=previous

[arcanehacker]

I use to have a colony of bright green sea mat. When I move them around the tank, I always hold the bottom part. I got a slight cut from a broken shell below the rock. Then I turn my hand around to lift up the colony to its new place. I guess my wound brush the sea mat. For 1 day the palm of my hand is numb. I cant feel anything at all.

So for people keeping sea mats, be very carefull. All it takes is an opening on your skin. Or when you rub your eyes!!!

Frankie

what are sea mats? ... only closes thing I can think of is Carpet anemones and they are not corals/zoos..

[19percula]

for the benefits of all can someone pls post a pic of all these dangerous creatures

thanks

[FuEl]

New method of commiting suicide..munching on a colony of zoanthids..