zoas: how dangerous?

[ariane209]

I'm ready to add a coral to my new tank, and I've been told Zoas or mushrooms are a good choice for beginners.

I like Zoas, but I read some warning that they are very dangerous... should I really be worried about this? I just can't imagine they would be suggested to newbies if they were deadly.

Let me know how you feel about it!

[stevelkaneval]

zoas do have toxins in them but they have to be cut open or ingested. so if your not eating them or fraging them you should be fine. i always wear the non powdered examination gloves regardless. i dont like all the worms and little critters in the lr.

[demonsp]

Always better safe then sorry. Some people feel no affect as others may be affected from minor to deadly. There have been threads on pets deing after eating some. Just use gloves. Heres a great link for coral care.

http://www.asira.org/caresheets

[weaselslucks]

i agree with the whole eating thing . don;t eat them. pritty simple. becarfeful when you frag them that no pet are arould to lick or eat them and wash your hands afterwards

[Bmgrocks]

they have something called palytoxin, which if i read correctly was one of the most toxic substances on earth. 4 micro grams, is enough to kill you.(but only if consumed, its a powerful neurotoxin) i'd still err on the side of caution with open sores, cuts, when handeling/fragging them* With a grain of salt (1 GRAIN) equalling 60micrograms... Used as a size comparison


i'm pretty sure the measurement was micrograms, but it may be wrong, the numbers however are correct