Coral handling safety tips for aquarium owners
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Some Zoanthid coral species popular with marine aquarium enthusiasts can contain Palytoxin. This toxin is dangerous to your health and being exposed to it can have potentially life-threatening consequences.
In an emergency always phone 000 for an ambulance
Zoanthid corals are soft corals known as colony-forming anemones. These decorative ornamental corals are commonly called ‘button polyps’, ‘sun polyps’ or ‘zoas’.
Species of Zoanthid coral (e.g. Palythoa species and Zoanthus species) can contain a highly toxic, naturally-occurring and potentially lethal substance known as Palytoxin.
Zoanthid corals are often recommended to new marine aquarium owners because they are considered to be relatively easy to keep. Health risks associated with keeping soft corals in home aquariums are often unrecognised or underestimated by aquarium enthusiasts and suppliers because there are limited cases documented to raise awareness.
It is not possible to tell which Zoanthid corals contain Palytoxin when deciding whether to keep them in aquariums. While it is possible that people may not intend to buy Zoanthids – it is important to remember that other types of coral or any ‘live rock’ bought from aquarium suppliers may unintentionally contain Zoanthids.
Marine aquarium owners should always presume Palytoxin is present and take appropriate precautions when handling corals to avoid being exposed to this toxin.
Although poisonings are relatively rare it is important to be aware that Palytoxin poses a significant risk to human safety due to its extreme toxicity.
Symptoms can occur and progress rapidly within minutes to hours after handling coral.
Severity depends on how long people have been exposed, the distance they were from the location where coral was being handled, the route of exposure and the presence of cuts or abrasions on hands (Palytoxin can easily pass through a skin wound and reach the bloodstream).
Symptoms include:
Severe cases report muscle breakdown, kidney failure, coma and death from cardiac or respiratory failure. There is no specific treatment of antidote for Palytoxin poisoning with medical treatment limited generally to supportive care.
In an emergency always call 000 for an ambulance
The following Marine Coral Safety Postcards are available for download and print: