THEFISHGUY.ORG REEF FORUM

*SPONGES (Porifera): Some sponges cause irritation and skin rashes, partly because of glassy spicules that pierce the skin, partly because of mucous toxins. Symptoms include itching, burning, and occasional redness.
Treatment: Remove visible spicules. Topical application of household-strength vinegar may give relief.
Precautions: Never handle unfamiliar sponge species without wearing gloves.

*FIRE CORAL (Cnidaria; Hydrozoa; Millepora spp): These coral-like hydroids can inflict powerful stings. Pain varies from a mild prickling sensation to a severe stinging pain and burning itch. Redness, swelling, and blisters may occur; occasional nausea. Cardiovascular or respiratory problems are very rare.
Treatment: Apply household-strength vinegar or Baking Soda in case unexploded stinging cells are still attached. Keep affected area away from more sensative areas (face and eyes).
Precautions Never handle fire coral with bare hands. Always wear gloves.

*FEATHER HYDRIODS (Cnidaria; Hydrozoa; Aglaophenia spp. and Lytocarpus): Some of the fernlike hydroids that occasionally enter the aquarium trade have very strong and painful stings. Rashes, swelling, and blisters may occur. Rash may last for several days. Side effects, such as abdominal pain, cramps, and nausea, have been reported.
Treament Apply household-strength vinegar or baking soda in case unexploded stinging cells are still attached.
Precautions Never handle feather hydriods with bare hands. Always wear rubber gloves.

*TUBE ANEMONE (Cnidaria, Ceriantipatharia; Cerianthus spp.): Most species have only a mild or no effect on humans, because the stinging cells have difficulty piercing the human skin. Ocassional stings may occur, with burning pain, rashes, and small blisters.
Treament Apply household-strength vinegar or baking soda in case unexploded stinging cells are still attached.
Precautions Wear rubber gloves when handling unfamiliar species.

*SEA ANEMONES (Cnidaria; Zoatharia; Actiniaria):
Most species have only a mild or no effect on humans, because the stinging cells have difficulty piercing human skin. Some species can cause burning pain, rashes, and small blisters. Anemone tentacles sometimes fasten to human skin with such strength that they are torn from the animal when the human draws away.
Treatment Remove any attached tentacles (use tweezers); apply household-strength vinegar or baking soda to inactivate unexploded stinging cells that are still attached.
Precautions Wear rubber gloves when handling unfamiliar species.

*STONY CORALS (Cnidaria; Zoantharia; Scleractinia): Most species have only a mild or no effect on humans, because the stinging cells have difficulty piercing human skin. Some species can cause burning pain, rashes, and small blisters.
Treatment Apply household-strength vinegar or baking soda in case unexploded stinging cells are still attached.
Precautions Wear rubber gloves when handling unfamiliar species.

*ERRANT BRISTLEWORMS (Annelida; Polycaeta): Several errant (free-living) bristleworms have fine, sharp bristles that can easily embed in human skin. Bristles may or may not contain venum. Contact can produce a rash, swelling, and numbness. Itching, burning, and pain may persist for many days. In severe cases, symptoms may include increased pulse rate, palpatations, fainting, and chest pains. The fireworms in the Family Amphinomidae (primarily Euythoe and Hermodice) are particularly nasty in this respect. Some worms inflict painful bites as well.
Treatment Remove embedded bristles by using adhesive tape to peel them off. Apply methylated spirits, calamine, or other cooling lotion to calm the sting. In case of bites, wash the area with an antiseptic soap.
Precautions Never handle bristleworms with bare hands. Always wear rubber gloves.

*MANTIS SHRIMPS (Arthropoda; Crustacea; Stomatopoda): Mantis shrimps have large claws developed for raptorial feeding, similar to those found in the praying mantis insect. The inner edge of the claw usually has long spines or is shaped like the blade of a knife. The strike has, in some of the larger species, been estimated to have a force similar to that of a 22-caliber bullet. They have been reported to break thick glass aquarium walls. Aquarist's fingers can be badly bruised if the animal strikes.
Treatment Clean and disinfect wound thoroughly. Depending on the nature of the wound, it can be treated at home or may need medical attention.
Precautions Be very careful when working in a tank with large mantis shrimps. Any hand feeding must be done with long tweezers or a feeding stick.

*CONE SNAILS (Mollusca; Gastropoda; Conus spp.): All Conus spp. are venumous, and some (e.g., geographus and C. textile) can be deadly to humans. They use harpoonlike radula teeth to quickly inject their venom. Symptoms are immediate burning pains, followed by swelling and numbness. More serious symptoms are the paralysis, which may become general, difficulties in swallowing and speaking, and vision problems. Heart failure and breathing difficulties or even stoppage may follow. There appears to be a great variation in people's susceptibility to the venom.
Treatment Apply pressure bandage to the area that is stung to delay the spread of venom. Get victim immediate medical attention. If necessary, give artificial respiration and cardiac massage. Any victim likely to vomit should be put on his/her side to avoid choking.
Precautions Never keep cone snails in a home aquarium unless you are 100% certain you are dealing with a harmless species. Use heavy protective gloves or forceps if you ever need to handle a specimen.

*BLUE-RINGED OCTOPUS (Mollusca; Cephalopoda; Hapalochlaena spp.): Blue-ringed octopus uses highly toxic venom to kill their prey quickly. This vemom has caused human deaths as well. The bite is rarely felt and does not cause pain or swelling. The toxins affect nerve transmissions; the first symptoms may be numbness. blurred vision, and difficulty speaking. Paralysis, including respiratory paralysis may develop.
Treatment Apply pressure bandage to the area that is bitten (if this can be located), in the order to delay the spread venom. Get victim immediate medical attention; watch closely for any need to give artificial respiration. Any victim likely to vomit should be put on his/her side to avoid choking. NOTE: There truly is no known antidote for bites from this animal. The only possible remedy is continous manual heart stimulation for 24 hours.
Precautions Never keep a blue-ringed octopus in a home aquarium. Use heavy protective gloves and long handled nets if you ever need to handle a specimen.

*CROWN-OF-THORNS STARFISH (Echinodermata; Asteroidea; Acanthaster planci) The sharp spines can puncture human skin and inject a toxin. The wound is intensely painful and produces swelling, redness, heat, and numbness. Stings from many spines at once may result in vomiting. Spine tips can break off in the wound, resulting in late complications that may require surgery.
Treatment Any embedded spines or parts thereof should be removed. Immersing the affected body part in water of 122 degrees F can help break down the toxins. Avoid scalding the skin Clean and disinfect the wound.
Precautions Never handle a Crown-of-Thorns Starfish with bare hands. Always wear thick protectve gloves.

*LONG-SPINED SEA URCHINS (Echinodermata; Echinoidea; Diadema spp.): The very long, sharp spines easily penetrate human skin and break off. No toxin has been isolated from these sea urchins, but the wound is intensely painful, which suggests that there is venom present. Swelling and secondary inflammation may occur.
Treatment Any embedded spines or parts thereof should be removed. Clean and disinfect the wound.
Precautions Do not handle long-spined sea urchins with bare hands. Always wear gloves.

*COLLECTOR URCHIN (Echinodermata; Echinoidea; Tripeustes gratilla): This urchin species has venomous pedicellariae among its spines. Most are too small to puncture human skin, but extended contact or contact with tender skin (such as one the inside of an arm) may lead to a severe sting. Aching pains and localized swelling and redness are the immediate symptoms. More severe effects, like decreased blood pressure and heart rhythm disorder, are common.
Treatment Immerse the affected body part in water at least 122 degrees F, to break down the toxins. Avoid scalding the skin Applying baking soda may also help.
Precautions Never handle Collector Urchins with bare hands. Always wear rubber gloves.

*FLOWER SEA URCHINS (Echinodermata; Echinoidea; Toxopneustes spp.) These urchins are the most dangerous to humans The large, open, flowerlike pedicellariae are highly venomous, and the painful stings may lead to severe symptoms, including collapse, paralysis, and/or breathing difficulties.
Treatment Immerse the affected body part in water at least 122 degrees F to break down the toxins. Get victim immediate medical attention. If necessary, give artificial respiration and cardiac massage. Precautions Never handle flower sea urchins with bare hands. Always wear rubber gloves.

*SHARKS & RAYS (Chondrichthyes): Although sharks and rays of reasonable "home aquarium size" are hardly dangerous to humans, bear in mind that they can still inflict serious bite wounds. Secondary infections may occur.
Treatment Clean and disinfect wound thoroughly. Depending on the nature of the wound, it can be treated at home or may need medical attention.
Precautions Take care when working in a tank containing a shark or ray. Never hand feed these animals without the aid of long tongs or a feeding stick.

*MORAY EELS (Osteichthyes; Anguilliformes; Muraenidea): Although morays are not typically dangerous to humans, they can still inflict serious bite wounds. Contrary to popular belief, morays do not have a venomous bite, but secondary infections, due to dirty teeth, are common.
Treatment Clean and disinfect wound thoroughly. Depending on the nature of the wound, it can be treated at home or may need medical attention.
Precautions Take care when working in a tank with moray eels. Never hand feed without the aid of a feeding stick.

*LIONFISH (Osteichthyes; Scorpaeniformes; Pterois spp. and Dendrochirus spp.): All scorpionfish are more or less venomous, but the beautiful lionfishes are of particular concern because of their popularity with aquarists. The spines in the dorsal, anal, and pectoral fins are equippeed with venom glands. Stings give immediate burning pains. often followed by inflammation of lymph glands, breathing difficulties, vomiting, and muscular spasms.
Treatment Immerse the affected body part immediately in water at least 122 degrees F to break down the toxins (soak for 30 to 90 minutes, or until the pain is reduced). Get victim immediate medical attention. If necessary, administer artificial respiration.
Precautions Take the utmost care when working in a tank with lionfishes. Never hand feed without the aid of long tongs or a feeding stick.

*STONEFISH (Osteichtyes; Scorpaeniformes; Synancaeia spp. and Inimicus spp.): Stonefish have the most powerful fish venom known. The apparatus (connected to the dorsal fin spines) they use to inject the venom into the victim is also very sophisticated and effective. Symptoms are similar to those described for lionfish, but more dramatic. Human deaths have occured. Even in less serious cases, the recovery period may last two to three months.
Treatment Immediately get victim medical attention. If necessary, administer artificial respiration.
Precautions Never keep stonefish in home aquariums. Use heavy gloves if you ever need to handle a specimen.

*SURGEONFISH (Osteichthyes; Perciformes; Acanthuridae): All surgeonfish possess one or more sharp, lancelike spines on the sides of the base of the tail. When the fish becomes excited or bends its body (depending on the species) the spine can be extended at right angles. With a quick movement of the tail, large specimens are capable of inflicting deep and painful wounds. Secondary infections may occur.
Treatment Clean and disinfect wound thoroughly. Depending on the nature of the wound, it can be treated at home or may need medical attention.
Precautions Take care when working in any tank housing large surgeonfish and when netting and moving them.

*RABBITFISH (Osteichthyes; Perciformes; Siganidae): Dorsal, pelvic, and anal spines are associated with venom glands. Stings can give symptoms similar to (but usually weaker that) those described for lionfish. Stings are less likely to occur because rabbitfish normally lack the curious nature of lionfish.
Treatment Immerse the affected body part immediately in water at least 122 degrees F to break down the toxins (soak for 30 to 90 minutes, or until the pain is reduced). Professional medical attention may become necessary.
Precautions Take care when working in a tank with rabbitfish.

*TRIGGERFISH & PUFFERFISH (Osteichthyes; Tetraodontiformes; Balistidae and Tetraodontidae): These fish and several of their relatives (boxfish, filefish, porcupinefish) have strong beaklike teeth and powerful jaws. Large specimens can inflict serious bite wounds. Secondary infections may occur.
Treatment Clean and disinfect wound thoroughly. Depending on the nature of the wound, it can be treated at home or may need medical attention.
Precautions Take care when working in a tank with large trigger and pufferfish. Never hand feed without the aid of long tongs or a feeding stick.