Several weeks ago, I fragged up a rock that had a patch of zoanthids on it. I gave the zoa's to a buddy, but that whole rest of the day I had this crazy metallic taste in my mouth. I never mentioned it to anyone because I didn't get the connection.
Well anyhow, I was doing some reading online tonight, and it looks like I might have been poisoned! Apparently, zoanthids carry one of the most powerful toxins in the world. It's called Palytoxin, and there is no anti-toxin.
Needless to say, from now on when I handle zoa's, I am going to be wearing gloves and I will have safety glasses on. It's amazing that you can buy, handle and even propagate something this poisonous and really have no clue about it. Who knew???
All zoanthid polyps in the Palythoa genus have the toxin (thus the name palytoxin), ie button polyps and crater polyps. According to one post I read, other marine organisims in the wild - sponges, mollusks, etc. living near Palythoas can also absorb the toxins and become toxic themselves.
Google "deadly zooanthids" and just check out what you find. It will shock you.
One particularly good thread I found is here:
http://www.marineaquariums.com/vb/sh...d.php?p=410145 there's even a story there about a guy's dog getting poisoned and dying.
Here's some scientific information about Palytoxins from a site called CBW, specializing in information on CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS. Wierd!
Palytoxin
Something to think about!!!
Rob, this could be an excellent topic for a podcast!
