Please read: Palytoxin almost killed local reefer

[waynemah]

I sure could have used more information on it when starting out. Likely the worst I’ve ever felt in my entire life.

This toxin can be air born. Everyone involved (even ones that had no contact with the rocks/water/tank) were ill. I believe only certain palythoas have a substantial amount of this toxin to defend with, I've had lots of zoa's since then with no issues at all.

All of the symptoms Fencer described are true, especially the chills/aches.

This article explains EXACTLY with real values how toxic some palythoas in our aquariums are. The ones in my tank looked identical to the ones in the red-box column (d).

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%...l.pone.0018235

This article paints a good picture, what scares me is the PS at the bottom stating that palytoxin can be about 84x more lethal than the most venomous snake.
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/no...tore-near-you/

[Borderjumper]

Originally Posted by waynemah

I sure could have used more information on it when starting out. Likely the worst I’ve ever felt in my entire life.

This toxin can be air born. Everyone involved (even ones that had no contact with the rocks/water/tank) were ill. I believe only certain palythoas have a substantial amount of this toxin to defend with, I've had lots of zoa's since then with no issues at all.

All of the symptoms Fencer described are true, especially the chills/aches.

This article explains EXACTLY with real values how toxic some palythoas in our aquariums are. The ones in my tank looked identical to the ones in the red-box column (d).

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%...l.pone.0018235

This article paints a good picture, what scares me is the PS at the bottom stating that palytoxin can be about 84x more lethal than the most venomous snake.
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/no...tore-near-you/

That's really good to know. I have the exact same zoas in one of my tanks.. I think I will toss them, as I don't want anyone even having a chance of getting sick from them. I down loaded the pic and am posting it, as I had a little trouble finding it in the article..

Assuming these are the nasty ones.. Wonder the best way to dispose of them... I have about 100 homeless people going thru my trash on any given day.

[fishytime]

Originally Posted by paddyob

If you are referring to me, I am not doubting it.

I am only stating that you would think something like this would make the news, being salt water is becoming/already is widely spread, you would simply think that this would be publicized.

AND THIS WAS A MAJOR MAJOR THREAT TO LIFE. Blood and all.

Originally Posted by zoaElite

I agree with you getting the word out is a good thing, I'm just saying we should be cautious at all times around our reefs not just in the presence of zoas and palys.

Lotsa scarey stuff in our boxes of water .

Just playing devils advocate here Doug but how are we safe to assume? There are no photos, no tests and no way to prove in this case that palytoxin was in fact the cause.

because this gentleman only got sick after he was rinsing the rock off in a sink with warm water....not when his hands were in the tank or the bucket...

[Reefie]

Interesting that they would plaster cigarette pkgs with WARNINGS, and everything else. I've read online about the risks of toxins from Zoa's and Paly's, but I didn't think it could go airborne.

Thanks for the tip!

Glad to hear that Tommy is doing better too!