Zoanthid: Palytoxin, the deadliest toxin known to humans

[Nathan]

I saw some nice pics of Zoanthids and was considering buying one. BUT I did some research and Palytoxin is very deadly!!

I was doing some research on this page:
Factsheets on Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents
http://www.cbwinfo.com/Biological/Toxins/Palytoxin.html

Palytoxin is the most toxic natural product known, it is estimated that the lethal dose for a human is less than five micrograms. Supplies are extremely limited as it is only found at low concentrations in the corals that do contain it, although this may change if a microbial source is found.

Here's another interesting article:
http://www.rockefeller.edu/pubinfo/012103.php

The soft coral Palythoa toxica (above) produces palytoxin, the deadliest toxin known to humans. Rockefeller researchers Pablo Artigas and David Gadsby have used the lethal toxin to show for the first time that an ion pump is a more elaborate version of an ion channel. By interfering with the pumps' normal conformational changes, the coral toxin essentially turns them into channels.

Does anyone else have any knowledge of Zoanthids and poison? If you buy one for your tank, does this toxin get into the water and what if you cut yourself while your hand is in the tank, would you get infected by this toxin?

-Nathan

[redawg]

best thing to do is wear gloves when handling the zo's. no worries on palytoxin as far as not handling the zo's though..

[TippyToeX]

You should read this thread in the zoanthids fourm, and the links in the thread.

A warning about toxicity. A MUST read.

If you are handling them and have a cut it could cause some issues. Getting it in your eyes or mouth as well. Always wear gloves when you are in the tank, or handling/fragging zoanthids.