Marine aquarium cautions

[fishytime]

Working at a lfs I am amazed at how many people are surprised to learn about some of the things that could make you at the very least sick (and worse) that we keep in our little eco-systems. Im hoping perhaps this thread could become a sticky and be used as a guide for new (and possibly old) hobbyists. People need to be aware of some of the hazards the we commonly keep.

I thought maybe other canreefers could add to the thread if they had a picture of the fish,invert, etc and provide a link to the pertinent information. In thinking about the list of potential "baddies", I realized I have only one thing in my tank at the moment that could "get" me. Not really comforting considering the one thing I have is probably the only thing that could potentially prove to be fatal.

Zoanthids.

A coral touted as being a good choice for beginners and both easy to keep and frag. While all this is true zoanthids contain a deadly substance called palytoxin http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palytoxin. Extreme caution should be used when handling your zoas.

-wear gloves
-if you cant wear gloves wash your hands thoroughly after
-do not handle your zoas without gloves if you have an open cut on your hands.
-while fragging your zoas, wear eye protection.

[sphelps]

I would have agree and also recomend gloves!



I was stung by a large euphyllia (hammer coral) in my tank last year, as a result I suffered from a severe skim rush and infection that I'm still fighting off. I use to think people over reacted about this subject but it true, trust me.

It's also very hard to receive proper treatment for coral stings when you don't live near the ocean and it takes a long time to get an appointment with a dermatologist.

[Underwater]

Here are a few-but I am sure there are more out there:

http://www.ehow.com/how_9376_identif...jellyfish.html (and other stings)

http://www.e-med.co.uk/diving/dive_q...php?sub_cat=67 (first aid at the end of the response)

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/ven...a/aa042798.htm (about fish)

HTH-
~M

[FitoPharmer]

i heard someone loosing their dog to zoa's, so that is defiantly a big one. i cant remeber if it had ate a frag or licked someones hand that was fraggin zoa's.

[Patrice]

A year ago, while I was cleaning a tank, there was some kind of "smoke" that came out of a rock when I moved it. I have no idea that was. Anyway, it was painfull.
It's hard for me to explain this in english. At first, it was just painfull but after 20 minutes, it was like my hand got scrubed on a hard surface. I immediately washed my hand but it did not stoped. The "scrubbing effect" of that smoke have last for about 20 minutes. I was a little worry let me tell you. That was weird and I would love to know what that was.

[fishytime]

Urchins are another one to be careful with. http://saltaquarium.about.com/gi/dyn...2Ftopic158.htm

Again best handled with gloves.

[paddyob]

I have always handled my euphyllia Bare handed and have never had a side effect of any type, nor have i ever heard of anyone else being stung. is it possible that maybe this person might just be sensitive. or allergic like someone could be to a bee sting? not doubting, just surprised to Hear . i do agree about gloves as precaution. who knows what you might find. i just bought some aqua gloves cause I See so many unknown things on my rocks.

[paddyob]

Thats what makes me cautious. crazy unknown, unseen and potential for sickness. i am active in my tank and have not always been crazy about hand washing... but its true that some stuff can get you. one thing i would like to point out,in regards To the hobby, is test chemicals. that is some bad ass stuff. if you dont wear gloves while handling these you could have serious long term effects. those pretty symbols on the bottle are there by LAW. ever wonder why? wear gloves. that covers all!

[aquajeep]

i seem to have high tolerance to stings so i dont wear gloves. puffer fish nip at your hands when cleaning made my finger go numb.scats have venomous spines as i found out after a hit to the arm. and lest but not least.HUMANS CAN CONTRACT DISEASE FROM FISH!! i found out the hard way years ago in Vancouver i worked in a pet store.the doctors couldn't fig out what it was.looked like a cyst on my index finger and slowly crawled up my hand more and more.finally a biopsy revealed fish tank granuola .treatable with tetracycline.apparently common in Florida on workers producing live rock ect. it happens if u have a cut and submerse it in the fish tank.i treated a yellow tang and think he gave it to me.lol.doctors had all their buddys in the room staring and taking pics of my hand.good times

[Liv]

Thanks for the info.. I only know of a few things to beware of...I will pay more attention in the future!