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12/12/2009, 05:25 PM | #1 |
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Xenia toxic to humans?
Are Xenia Corals toxic to human beings, like zoanthids are?
Kind of freaking out a little, would love an answer. Thanks. Last edited by johncash; 12/12/2009 at 05:46 PM. |
12/12/2009, 06:07 PM | #2 |
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I don't think much is known about their toxicity. I haven't done any formal research on the matter but I have seen secondary metabolites that have been extracted from these soft corals in the literature and many of these metabolites have shown interesting biological activity. I doubt much has been looked for humans.
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12/12/2009, 06:12 PM | #3 |
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I just want to know if I have to worry about the fact that I took them out of the bag with my hands and I have a cut on my hand. This was an hour ago and I feel fine, but I would like to know. That is, if the information is available.
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12/12/2009, 06:16 PM | #4 |
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I don't know about being toxic, but they sure do leave a bad smell on your hands after touching them.
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12/12/2009, 06:19 PM | #5 |
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YES on the smell, but that won't kill me !
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12/12/2009, 06:39 PM | #6 |
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I have handled almost all type of Xenia with no problems for years. I think you are fine, just don't eat it.
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12/12/2009, 06:44 PM | #7 |
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no there not toxic to humans, & have very weak toxins to fight off other corals actually. & zoa's are not deadly to humans, only Palythoa Toxica & another type, Commonly Called The "Rubber Coral's" that is the only 2 species that carry Palytoxin. But dont go eating the corals or exposing open wounds to the corals either
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12/12/2009, 06:47 PM | #8 |
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I fragged some last week with a cut on my hand with no problems.
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12/12/2009, 07:06 PM | #9 |
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Thanks guys, I was a little worried after reading some stuff about corals and their toxins to humans. I am more relaxed now. Nonetheless , safety first, and I will be more careful in the future. After all, there is no reason to expose wounds to the bacterial cultures that exist in our mini reefs.
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12/12/2009, 07:07 PM | #10 |
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I just wanted to add that I am new to RC and I am incredibly impressed ! Fast responses. When I become more knowledgeable I will certainly reciprocate.
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12/12/2009, 09:09 PM | #11 | |
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http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/fotm/index.php
Quote:
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12/12/2009, 10:10 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
The bottom line is, we still know very little about the true toxicity of most corals. I am certainly not going to ever say that a certain coral, ie; Xenia, is non toxic to humans. In the case of the OP, we are assuming he means some brief exposure to a open cut. |
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12/12/2009, 11:20 PM | #13 |
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Yes I mean to establish whether or not, in practical terms, an aquarist can poison themselves by brief exposures to this particular coral that would commonly occur during aquascaping or fragging.
Or in a nutshell, whether or not I am at risk of a potentially harmful outcome, given the circumstance. |
12/13/2009, 11:23 PM | #14 |
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I just fragged my xenias the other day and they really stink and leave a really bad odor on your hands, but I haven't had issues or irritations.
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12/15/2009, 03:03 AM | #15 |
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I have noticed that if you lemon juice wash your hands it gets the stink out a bit.
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12/15/2009, 03:13 AM | #16 |
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I would expect that the biggest worry would not be the toxicity but the possibility of an allergic reaction. In m y line of work I almost never don't have a cut on my hands, and I am bad about wearing gloves, but I also know I don't tend to react to things. Past that, I know I am taking a crap shoot.
There are so many variets of life in the ocean that we don't know anything about. If you are the sort to worry about that sort of thing, or have had past reactions then you should go at your tank like you would a $20 hooker.
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12/15/2009, 08:40 AM | #17 |
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LOL, or a $10 one. A valid point, I am looking for gloves and tongs, no more messing around.
As a side note: I am curious if anyone has gone to ER or to a doctor with one of these "dangers of our hobby" issues. My guess is they would have no clue how to diagnose the problem, fix it, or identify it unless you specifically tell them what happened. This fact is a little scary to me. |
12/16/2009, 02:59 AM | #18 |
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xenias = non toxic
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12/16/2009, 10:48 PM | #19 |
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Whenever I frag my Xenia I make sure to eat a bunch of peanuts for good measure. Keeps the hobby exciting.
I've been able to get a really good RTN session going with some newly fragged Xenia combined with poor circulation so the bacteria is certainly something to always be wary of. |
12/18/2009, 10:23 PM | #20 |
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+1 to the smell of xenia...seems like it might dry my hands some when I work with it, but I'd imagine actual results may vary.
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02/13/2017, 09:52 PM | #21 |
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Coincidence or not? 4 nights ago I had to clean 70-80 Xenia off some live rock that they had taken over, went swell easier than I expected and only problem at the time was the stench it left behind, that night I had some Burger King the next morning I woke to some serious cramping and diarrhea though eh Ill never eat BK again, after a full 24 hrs of pain and suffering yesterday I felt fine and everything went back to normal (gastro wise) so I proceeded to pick up where I left off cleaning another 80 or so Xenia off some more rock, and today it came back same cramps and diarrhea .. Now Im not sure but I thought once the food poisoning left your system you were through? Yet after a full day of being fine only thing in common the day before was the Xenia? So Im not sure if it was the BK or the Xenia now? anyone ever experience anything like this ?
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02/15/2017, 07:32 PM | #22 |
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I never have had that experience, but it certainly sounds like it correlates with your exposure. Even if they aren't "toxic" they still release chemicals and you could react to that. I would for sure wear gloves when fragging them out of there.
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