Does ZOA contain Palytoxin? Appreciate clarifications

[oceania]

Hi All,

I'm new to this hobby. While doing my research, I came across some sites which warned reefers to exercise caution when hadling ZOAs due to the presence of deadly Palytoxin.

Frm wht I read, Playtoxin is present in species of zoanthids from the genus Palythoa (which include P. caribbea, P. grandis , P. mammillosa, P. nigricans, and P. texaensis). Though the toxin has to enter your bloodstream directly in order to cause a serious reaction.

I'm not sure of the scientific name of ZOAa like Sunflower and Peacock's Eye. Would appreciate if anyone can clarify if they below under the Palythoa family.

Thanks,

Oceania

[yikai]

Hi All,

I'm new to this hobby. While doing my research, I came across some sites which warned reefers to exercise caution when hadling ZOAs due to the presence of deadly Palytoxin.

Frm wht I read, Playtoxin is present in species of zoanthids from the genus Palythoa (which include P. caribbea, P. grandis , P. mammillosa, P. nigricans, and P. texaensis). Though the toxin has to enter your bloodstream directly in order to cause a serious reaction.

I'm not sure of the scientific name of ZOAa like Sunflower and Peacock's Eye. Would appreciate if anyone can clarify if they below under the Palythoa family.

Thanks,

Oceania

peacock eye, sunflower etc are just fancy names given to the zoas by hobbyists.

much like cultivars. u know like grapes? Vitis vinifera var. red globe, or var. thomson's seedless

as with zoanthids.

zoanthus sp. var sunflower.

zoanthids are under the palythoa family and also have palytoxin.

but it's quite over-rated lah and unless you eat the zoas or have a big cut and drip copious amounts of zoa juice into the wound, you will be fine.

just wear gloves and don't touch them if you have cuts.

[oceania]

peacock eye, sunflower etc are just fancy names given to the zoas by hobbyists.

much like cultivars. u know like grapes? Vitis vinifera var. red globe, or var. thomson's seedless

as with zoanthids.

zoanthus sp. var sunflower.

zoanthids are under the palythoa family and also have palytoxin.

but it's quite over-rated lah and unless you eat the zoas or have a big cut and drip copious amounts of zoa juice into the wound, you will be fine.

just wear gloves and don't touch them if you have cuts.

Thanks Bro for the clarification. Therefore if you have any ZOAs with glove, it is still considered safe to keep them right?

What happens when a ZOA dies? Will any toxin be released into the tank and kill the rest of the LS?

[LaW]

like what lemon suggested, they do contain some toxic. some of these byproducts are even used for anti-cancer drugs.

that being said, wear proper gears while handling them, especially during fragging. avoid them during open wounds and towards the eyes. i have a friend that his eyes got infected bad from the "juice" of paly while fragging them.

so take note on that for the eyes.

and when zoa dies, they simply melt off. so far when some of my zoa dies, my other soft, LPS and SPS corals are not affected. but take note that different tank got different type of "event/chain-reaction"

in conclusion, it is very safe to own zoas but not safe to the eyes while fragging.

[oceania]

like what lemon suggested, they do contain some toxic. some of these byproducts are even used for anti-cancer drugs.

that being said, wear proper gears while handling them, especially during fragging. avoid them during open wounds and towards the eyes. i have a friend that his eyes got infected bad from the "juice" of paly while fragging them.

so take note on that for the eyes.

and when zoa dies, they simply melt off. so far when some of my zoa dies, my other soft, LPS and SPS corals are not affected. but take note that different tank got different type of "event/chain-reaction"

in conclusion, it is very safe to own zoas but not safe to the eyes while fragging.

Ok understood! Many thanks for the clarification!

[FuEl]

Hope this thread will be helpful to other reefers. What we last need is a reefer getting hospitalized due to palytoxin. Before we know it, zoanthids will be banned.

[cedricang]

What bros mention is worth adhere to, I have been fragging zoas for quite a while and notice the effect when I accidentally make a bad cut that cause the zoas body fluid to ooze out, i can feel a burning sensation and at times a little uncomfort.

But if you got a completely healed zoas frag or colony, they are safe unless you unknowingly damage the tissue and get in conotact with the toxic juice from the zoas.

[straydum]

i remember reading on a foreign forum once, one guy was hospitalized when he accidentally pressed against or squashed his zoas

for normal handling, gloves are probably the safest way to go!