Will I be Ok? Poisoned?

[Jeffc1527]

Hello my name is jeff and I am currently having a mental breakdown. My porcupine pufferfish is about 2 weeks old and has recently been battling a bacterial or parisite infection. While moving all the fish including the pufferfish to a new tank today I noticed a white stringy substance coming off the puffers skin or out of the spikes. Im extremely worried. I had my hands in the tank and was touching the fish. Am I going to get poisoned and will I die. Did I come into contact with the fishes toxin? Please help I am having a panic attack and debating calling 911

 

[bvanfish]

I have no idea but I’d guess if you’re experiencing any symptoms, rapid heart rate, trouble breathing, pains, etc that it’s always better to be safe than sorry. But I have 0 expierence with this and am not a medical doctor. Have any friends that are in the medical field?

do you have any cuts or wounds on your hands? Not sure if it can get in that way, or if you ate something with your hands after?

 

[Slocke]

It's an ingested poison that is in the flesh of the puffer. You are probably fine but as above said. In other words you'd have to eat the actual fish or get it into your bloodstream. I'm guessing the white stringy stuff is mucous which is probably non-toxic.

 

[jasrivas]

im pretty sure all the toxin of a puffer fish is in the liver and other organs they serve the flesh at Japanese sushi restaurant and most puffer fish arent even that toxic its only a few species i think you will be fine.

 

[Jeffc1527]

definitly trying to calm down, I believe the symptoms I am experiencing right now are from a panic attack and not being poisoned. I was in the tank about an hour ago. Never came into direct contact with the fish. Only had my hands in the water. All the other fish in the tank as well as swimming around completely normal and not affected at all.

 

[Jeffc1527]

It's an ingested poison that is in the flesh of the puffer. You are probably fine but as above said. In other words you'd have to eat the actual fish or get it into your bloodstream. I'm guessing the white stringy stuff is mucous which is probably non-toxic.

I have some small cuts on my hands nothing serious tho and the other fish in the tank are completely fine atm

 

[Matty Ice]

Did the spines puncture your skin or do you have any open cuts? If not I’d say you’re fine. Be more careful!

 

[Slocke]

Double checked and they are only poisonous if ingested and are not at all venomous or capabale of passing on the toxin in any other way.

Advisory on Puffer Fish

FDA is warning restaurants and fish markets that serve or sell puffer fish (also known as puffer, fugu, bok, blowfish, globefish, swellfish, balloonfish, or sea squab) not to buy or sell this product unless it is obtained from a known safe source.

www.fda.gov

 

[Jeffc1527]

Did the spines puncture your skin or do you have any open cuts? If not I’d say you’re fine. Be more careful!

i do have cuts on my hands which is why im so worked up

 

[Jeffc1527]

Double checked and they are only poisonous if ingested and are not at all venomous or capabale of passing on the toxin in any other way.

Advisory on Puffer Fish

FDA is warning restaurants and fish markets that serve or sell puffer fish (also known as puffer, fugu, bok, blowfish, globefish, swellfish, balloonfish, or sea squab) not to buy or sell this product unless it is obtained from a known safe source.

www.fda.gov

do you think I should go to the hospital to be on the safe side

 

[Slocke]

The spines are not venomous. I don't want to say don't go to the hospital obviously but as far as I can see there is no way you could have gotten the poison into you so long as you didn't eat it.

 

[Pelagikos]

i do have cuts on my hands which is why im so worked up

If you're that worried go to the hospital! I think you're just having a panic attack. Make sure you wear gloves next time you deal with your aquarium.
Take some klonopin you'll be fine.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

do you think I should go to the hospital to be on the safe side

You sound like you want to go...
We're not doctors, so if you're still worried, you need to make that decision...

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

If you're that worried go to the hospital! I think you're just having a panic attack. Make sure you wear gloves next time you deal with your aquarium.
Take some klonopin you'll be fine.

This comment is completely insensitive.

 

[AD87]

How are you feeling? Are you feeling light headed at all?

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

To my knowledge, the toxins of pufferfish (tetradotoxin and saxitoxin) are both paralytics, so if you’re not feeling symptoms of paralysis, weakness, or trouble breathing (respiratory failure as the lungs become paralyzed being what generally kills people from these toxins as I understand it), then you’re probably fine. There is an antidote for saxitoxin, but if you are poisoned, they’ll most likely assist you in breathing until the poison has run its course.

That said, I agree that if you’re concerned, you probably should see a doctor for your own peace of mind. If you have been poisoned, the first 24 hours are the really dangerous ones, as most people recover without residual issues if they survive the first day.

And, yes, I would recommend long, waterproof gloves in the future as a safety precaution anytime anyone is in the tank.

Good luck, and I hope you’re safe and well!

Edit: Tetrodotoxin, not tetradotoxin - sorry.

 

[Jeffc1527]

How are you feeling? Are you feeling light headed at all?

no, just anxious nauseous and scared, shaking alot because Im having a panic attack so I think its symptoms of that

 

[Slocke]

Call the poison hotline.

What You Can Do | Poison Help

Learn what you can do when you or someone you know is poisoned. Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately for poison help.

poisonhelp.hrsa.gov

1800 222 1222 Is who you should call.

 

[AD87]

I would call the poison hotline, also people react to toxins differently, especially foreign ones.

 

[Jeffc1527]

To my knowledge, the toxins of pufferfish (tetradotoxin and saxitoxin) are both paralytics, so if you’re not feeling symptoms of paralysis, weakness, or trouble breathing (respiratory failure as the lungs become paralyzed being what generally kills people from these toxins as I understand it), then you’re probably fine. There is an antidote for saxitoxin, but if you are poisoned, they’ll most likely assist you in breathing until the poison has run its course.

That said, I agree that if you’re concerned, you probably should see a doctor for your own peace of mind. If you have been poisoned, the first 24 hours are the really dangerous ones, as most people recover without residual issues if they survive the first day.

And, yes, I would recommend long, waterproof gloves in the future as a safety precaution anytime anyone is in the tank.

Good luck, and I hope you’re safe and well!

Edit: Tetrodotoxin, not tetradotox

Thank you, im going throught waves of anxiety as this is definitely the most scared ive been. I do not feel any symptoms of paralysis though I do not know exactly what those symptoms may be