Not all zoanthids and palythoas contain palytoxin. however, only a skilled marine biologist will be able to tell what has them and what doesn't so you have to assume all zoa colonies contain the poison.
Yes, some people can have a reaction with just skin contact of the poison. However, EVERYONE is suseptable when it enters the body either orally, inhalation though an open wound or eye socket etc. I've read quite a few stories of people almost dying from steam inhalation when boiling a zoo colony, a squirt into the eyes, mouth and cuts on fingers.
you want to be as safe as possible, be very careful handling zoanthid colonies. They release the chemical when stressed and it combines with their slime coat. Stress can be induced by poor water quality, a fish nibbling on the colony, or you the fragger cutting a colony up and remounting.
Bottom line: while I have not read any accounts of death, a lot of people develop permanent asthsma after exposure. Its no joke.
Last edited by ElChicano; Fri, 31st Aug 2012 at 10:14 AM.
Hugo
Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia.
Reply With Quote
