Palytoxins

[jaded]

TK... this is just my opinion, but I think you may be overly concerned about the toxins. I'm not saying that there aren’t things in our tanks that can damage or kill... but that’s nature. If you shy away from everything that produces toxins you will most certainly end up with a whole wall of "temp" tanks with a single species in each. If that fits your picture of a great tank then you are on the right track, but if you would like to have a small sample of the living reef then you will undoubtedly have to mix different species together.

I have seen zoos in every sort of tank. I myself have a zoo colony that has recently allowed an arrant blue mushroom to grow right up through them. I've got an SPS, next to leathers, a hammer only inches away and they are all surrounded by zoos. If they seem to be bothering one another I will move them or change the flow of water. If I don’t take care of it they will…

You should make the tank that you picture in your mind as the "perfect tank". If that means no mixing then I say “go for it”, but if you want something more like nature then don’t be afraid to mix the species that others have had success mixing. You might find that micro managing the reef is a big part of the fun of it!!!

just my 2¢

[schoeplein]

Supposedly the most fatal poison is created by a bacteria that thrives in an anemone that flourishes only in one part of Hawaii...

The only thing I'm scared of is the puffer at Horizon Pets biting my finger off or a lion stinging me... everything else is pretty tame (in other words, human safe). ;)

[GaryP]

Hino,

Seriously, the only time you need to be concerned is when you are fragging them. Ypu've seen my tanks. They are both covered with zoos and palys. I've handled them hundreds of times. If you are concerned, just wear safety glasses and gloves when and if you are fragging them. The gloves are a good idea anytime you are handling corals, both for your own protection as well as the coral's. There are some nasty, potentially pathogenic, bacteria that grow on corals.

[thedude]

Mushrooms are really in the anemone family and can sting and release toxins as well. Like Gary said, just be reasonable and you'll have no problems. You start fragging with open cuts and no gloves, then you'll probably get hurt.

[GaryP]

Just don't do an Anthony Calfo and stick anything in your mouth while fragging them.