Slip posted this link in GCC, but it bears posting again here for the beginners:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=158663&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
The thickness of your skin prevents you from suffering direct damage from most coral stings, so it can be easy to forget that these critters can hurt you. (A notable exception is Millepora...fire coral...you definitely won't forget it if you EVER brush up against one of those
)
Physical wounds aside, what can really threaten you are the toxins injected when corals and anemones sting. You are ESPECIALLY at risk if you have open wounds on your hands. Anemones are probably the most dangerous; the zoanthids mentioned in the link above are actually a form of colonial anemone and not a true coral. Larger anemones, especially carpet anemones, can really pack a punch. A number of experienced people on this site can attest to just how sick a good carpet sting can leave you. What makes this especially dangerous is that sensitivity varies between people - some feel nothing from a good sting, others are down with flu-like symptoms for a week. As with any type of sting, more severe allergic reactions are also a possibility, so if you have a history of allergies, watch yourself.
It's also worth mentioning that a number of fish can potentially hurt you. Lionfish, stonefish, marine catfish, fang blenny and foxface stings can range from painful to life threatening depending on the species and your personal sensitivity. Others, like eels and triggerfish, can inflict nasty bites.
I don't mean to scare anyone here; I just want to see people be more careful.
1) ALWAYS know any potential dangers of an organism before you take it home, and respect its capabilities.
2) Keep kids and pets away from your tanks, especially if you own any risky critters.
3) Invest in a good pair of elbow length gloves:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=6&pCatId=3871
(Marine Depot actually has these a little cheaper, but I couldn't link straight to them...a little goofy looking, but they offer good protection, AND your significant other will stop complaining about your dry aquarium hands )
- BC
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=158663&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
The thickness of your skin prevents you from suffering direct damage from most coral stings, so it can be easy to forget that these critters can hurt you. (A notable exception is Millepora...fire coral...you definitely won't forget it if you EVER brush up against one of those
)Physical wounds aside, what can really threaten you are the toxins injected when corals and anemones sting. You are ESPECIALLY at risk if you have open wounds on your hands. Anemones are probably the most dangerous; the zoanthids mentioned in the link above are actually a form of colonial anemone and not a true coral. Larger anemones, especially carpet anemones, can really pack a punch. A number of experienced people on this site can attest to just how sick a good carpet sting can leave you. What makes this especially dangerous is that sensitivity varies between people - some feel nothing from a good sting, others are down with flu-like symptoms for a week. As with any type of sting, more severe allergic reactions are also a possibility, so if you have a history of allergies, watch yourself.
It's also worth mentioning that a number of fish can potentially hurt you. Lionfish, stonefish, marine catfish, fang blenny and foxface stings can range from painful to life threatening depending on the species and your personal sensitivity. Others, like eels and triggerfish, can inflict nasty bites.
I don't mean to scare anyone here; I just want to see people be more careful.
1) ALWAYS know any potential dangers of an organism before you take it home, and respect its capabilities.
2) Keep kids and pets away from your tanks, especially if you own any risky critters.
3) Invest in a good pair of elbow length gloves:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_Display.cfm?siteid=6&pCatId=3871
(Marine Depot actually has these a little cheaper, but I couldn't link straight to them...a little goofy looking, but they offer good protection, AND your significant other will stop complaining about your dry aquarium hands
)- BC
