Reminder: Be very careful when handling Zoas. Fear the palytoxin!

[BlueThumb]

I just wanted to remind everyone to ALWAYs wear gloves and a mask when handling Zoas. And wash hands and arms with soap and water when done.

Though not all Zoas have palytoxin, why take a chance? What is palytoxin? Google it and read about it on other forums. It will make you very sick and perhaps cause permanent damage.

Last year I got really sick right after handling my Zoas with a bare hand in my tank. I can't say for certain it was palytoxin but probably was as I rarely get sick and haven't run a fever since I was a kid. Anyway, I handled a rock with green zoas and got slime'd pretty bad by them from manhandling. Sad to say, I got distracted and forgot to wash my hands, only towel dried. Shortly after I ate a snack. Well, within a few hours I was very ill, which lasted nearly a week and also hospitalized me. The doctors couldn't find anything wrong, as they clearly weren't expecting palytoxin poisoning. I had a high fever (for me anyway), severe stomach cramps, vomit, etc. Also, my body was under tremendous stress and fatigue, which required some fun drugs for both body and mind (dreams were terrible/heart raced...ugh!!!).

Read other people stories and you'll see that it's no joke...and will train-wreck you...no matter who you are. I'm a legend in my own mind and it kicked my ass.

Stay safe!

[thesmallerthebetter]

wow. that doesnt sound too fun at all.

 

i handle many many many colonies of zoas and palys on a yearly basis at work (public aquarium). But im not much fragging type handling though as i usually leave them as colonies for displays. i do this without gloves or any protective gear and i guess ive been lucky as ive been without incident. looks like i need to break out the nitriles next time i get a shipment dumped at the facility.

 

i do however have a freind of mine who NEVER puts his hand in any tank ever without gloves. and he works in the industry as well. i just cant imagine always stopping and finding a pair of gloves and then getting in, for me its second nature to reach into the tank whenever i see something that needs done. but i guess he had a bad experience as well with his hands swelling up like soccerballs a few years back....

 

just a good reminder that we dont always know whats in our tanks or how that will affect us.

[pismo_reefer]

Palytoxin is no joke.... I've had my scares.

[metrokat]

Me too