Should I stay away from Zoanthids?

[Asserted]

I am new to the hobby and have a friend that has been in the hobby for about 6 years. He kind of scared me away from Zoa's because of the palytoxin that may be present. I do like the colors and how little they cost. What's your experience with Zoa's, and should I stay away from them?

 

[me & my baby]

The one thing I can say is knowing about the toxin and taking precautions is my two cents . Read up and if you feel comfortable get them if you don’t the don’t . Yes they are very beautiful and I would love to have them in my tank . I just happen by chance to find out I was allergic to the toxin when I brushed my hand up against some and ended up in the ER .

 

[Australian_Reef]

No I wouldn’t stay away from them. Just take precautions, especially if fragging.

 

[Asserted]

The one thing I can say is knowing about the toxin and taking precautions is my two cents . Read up and if you feel comfortable get them if you don’t the don’t . Yes they are very beautiful and I would love to have them in my tank . I just happen by chance to find out I was allergic to the toxin when I brushed my hand up against some and ended up in the ER .

That's a good reason to not have them. Not much you could've done to know that! Glad you're ok.

 

[me & my baby]

That's a good reason to not have them. Not much you could've done to know that! Glad you're ok.

Thank you and I found out quickly , but they are very beautiful

 

[Opus]

As others stated, precautions is your best bet. Also, if you are a person that is allergic to everything then probably stay away though there are other toxins in your tank. I've had some nice breakouts on my arm from anemone stings. Also I have dry skin so every time I do work in my tank for a prolonged period my hands get all red and swollen. I've learned to just take a benedryl beforehand and nothing happens.

 

[Australian_Reef]

I personally stay away from palys, because I personally don’t really like them and I believe they have more of the toxin potentially. Zoas however I think you’d be fine if you are aware.

 

[Asserted]

I personally stay away from palys, because I personally don’t really like them and I believe they have more of the toxin potentially. Zoas however I think you’d be fine if you are aware.

For sure, it may be one of those things where I just have to get some and then I'll be more relaxed if it all goes well lol.

 

[whalewhalewhale]

Unless you’re planning on manhandling them or fragging them without proper PPE, you really don’t have to worry about it. If you don’t ever plan to pull them out of the tank and you aren’t constantly rearranging the rockwork they are attached to, the probability of exposure is practically zero.

I would be cautious of palythoa though as they can “squirt” when bothered. A little splash in your eye means a whole world of problems. I’ve yet to see a zoanthid that ever squirted anything.

 

[slingfox]

I have zoas in my tank since I like the look. I avoid palys completely—regardless of the look—since I want to reduce risk of exposure to paly toxin.

 

[keagan]

I've fragged captain jerk palys without PPE, handled countless palys and zoa's without gloves, etc and I'm still fine. I've even had palys squirt me and some got in my mouth.

I wouldn't recommend anyone do the same but I would assert the exposure risk is overblown. I would argue you have a much higher risk of getting a bad infection from bacteria in your tank than be exposed to palytoxin (esp from zoa's that have less than palys).

 

[BoxH]

I am new to the hobby and have a friend that has been in the hobby for about 6 years. He kind of scared me away from Zoa's because of the palytoxin that may be present. I do like the colors and how little they cost. What's your experience with Zoa's, and should I stay away from them?

I wouldn't avoid zoas because of palytoxin. Just use gloves and eye protection if you're fragging or handling them.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

for me its never been a concern at all.

 

[mfinn]

I've been keeping zoanthids since the early 90's. Fragged and sold them, moved them around and never once had any sort of reactions.

 

[Asserted]

Thank you all for the responses, made me feel a little better about them. Maybe I'll start with one and see where it goes. I will keep it on an island just in case.

 

[oldschoolreefer26]

I’ve been poisoned a few times, back in the day I worked at a coral wholesale facility. Having my hands in saltwater all day would cause the skin on my fingers to split open. I never wore gloves and the toxin would seep through the open splits.
It was never from zoas though, only palys, always some variation of the ones below, usually the slimy ones.
Honestly it’s kind of like a 24 hour flu. Uncomfortable, fatigued, chills… etc, but nothing drastic.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I have never been worried about handling zoas in my tank!