DEATH BY ZOANTHID?

[BioCube14]

I read a article somewhere that zoanthids/palys can kill if not handled right as far as fraggin etc. Has anyone ever got sick? They say just a fraction of a drop can kill. I guess I better suit up with glasses and gloves next time I frag or is this not as dangerous as they say.

[MattK]

Maybe death to an infant but unlikely to an adult. The toxins can make you sick, I have gotten ill after fraggin'. Now I make sure to wear gloves and glasses.

[Richard]

I've never heard of anyone actually dying but people have ended up in the ER from them. I think I heard that Anthony Calfo got knocked on his butt one time while fragging them.

[gjuarez]

Some zoos and palythoas actually do have some toxins in them that are pretty strong, it called palytoxins. A member on RC lost his dog because the dog ate a frag of zoos. They could be pretty strong. I wouldnt take a chance

[jc]

There was some debate as to whether his dog actually died from eating the zoos. He actually didn't see him eat them and no necropsy was done if I remember correctly. Either way better safe than sorry when you handle zoos.

[caferacermike]

After reading the guys battle with paralysis for almost 2 years on Reef Central I'd bet that dog died from eating the paly's. There is a diary of a guy that is about 50% paralyzed from his reaction to the toxins, he is slowly recovering some movement.

[ClownReef®]

I heard the dog drank water from the bucket were the frags where..

Thats why it is VERY important to wear gloves and eye protection. Ive been hit right in the corner of the eye..i freaked out.. flushed my eye with water for like 20 minutes..

[jc]

Just to be clear this is only with torn or cut zoos, right?

[ClownReef®]

Just to be clear this is only with torn or cut zoos, right?

No..

Zoas and palys squirt the toxin out of their mouths. So it can happy sporadically while fragging. Thats why eye and hand protection should be always used.

[RayAllen]

Wow! you learn something new everyday in this hobby. Note to self.... where gloves/glasses and keep mouth shut when dealing with Zoas and Palys.

[Isis]

Speaking of toxins and Anthony Calfo... He is coming to give a talk in October on Reef Toxins.

[safeuerwehr]

everyones reaction to a toxin is different. For example, a bee sting can cause a major reaction in someone who is hypersensitive to the toxins in the stinger and it can cause a minor localized reactions in others. so it could be possible to develop a hypersensitivity to zoa toxins, that it would cause a serious reaction if exposed.

[jroescher]

The MAAST Library:
http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewforum&f=30

Articles written by Ping about this stuff.

[BioCube14]

great info guys

[tony]

i must be immune, ive been squirted many times by both zoos and palys and have had no reaction whatsoever

i doubt ill try eating them though :D

[sawarf]

I am completely immune to poison ivy, I can pick it up and rub it on my skin and have no reaction. When I handled my new ppe's I got very sick flu like symptoms with numbness in my left hand and forearm that lasted about two days. I had a small scrape on my left hand from plumbing a tank which I think is where the toxins entered. I don't touch zoos anymore with bare hands.