Mushroom Toxins

[saltyflash]

Perhaps I'm being a bit too cautious but I was looking at MarineDepotLive at mushrooms and a remark that they posted on their site got me thinking. It regards several mushrooms, i.e. zoanthids, and the powerful toxin that they release. They suggest gloves when handling which sounds like sage advise but I was left wondering how serious this stuff is. Does it transmit only upon touch or is this toxin 'floating' around the tank? They certainly are desirable and I'd like to have some eventually but I'm not quite sure what to think about it. How do you deal with it?

 

[mogurnda]

I've never reacted to the toxins, despite regularly handling them without gloves, but I think Blinky had a pretty bad reaction.

This thread may interest you.

 

[reefrash]

I'm Reefrash......... :devil:

 

[mogurnda]

So is that where the rash came from?

 

[reefrash]

I've hit the reef surfing a few times, not pleasent at all...... Mycobacterium is the one you've got to watch. I went to sleep late one night after unpacking a large overseas order, woke up 8 hours later with a TB infection headed straight for my ticker very scary. When you see the doctor at the emergency room get nervous and sweat you know something is wrong.

 

[mysis]

I haven't ever used gloves, and the only thing i will ever think twice about picking up is a bristle worm! their little needle like hair stick in you, like fibreglass, very itchy and red. more annoying than sore.