touching and attaching polyps

[timwu12]

Hi,

Is it true that you can't touch polyps with your barehands or else they'll die? Also, how exactly do you attach polpys and coral to live rock? do you just put it there and let it attach by itself? or tie it down?

Thanks!

 

[lcstorc]

What kind of polyp are you referring to? If it is zoanthids the coral may not die but you may. They contain the most potent palytoxin in the plant world. Reactions can varry from itching to death.
The method of attachment varies. Often superglue gell works but it depends on the coral. Most attach the frag to a small frag plug which then is glued to the main rockwork.

 

[timwu12]

well if you can't touch it, then how do you put it in the tank? Say you have a star polyp, how do you put that in?

 

[rlcline76]

Star polyps are different, although I would say that most corals have some sort of toxin. I don't worry about gsp. You can just super glue the matting to the rock. It is always advisable, to wear gloves when handling corals and whenever you need to put your hands in the tank.

 

[funkpolice]

Maybe I'm mistaken, and I suppose it doesn't really matter, but I don't think Zoanthids are part of the "plant world."
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Zoanthidia

Sorry, I'm married to a high school Biology teacher, and she's made all of this very clear to me.
bill

 

[BoomerD]

Funky is right, zoanthids are indeed animals, as are all corals.

I've kept and fragged zoanthids for years and the handling of them never had any negative long term impact on them. Yes, because of the potential for palytoxins, you need to use precautions when handling/fragging them, but IMO, not necessary for just putting them in the tank.

 

[lcstorc]

Sorry, I am not a biology teacher. I know they are animals but simply mis-spoke.

 

[Varga]

But they are less animal than Anemones, right?

 

[BoomerD]

No, animals are animals...

 

[njm92383]

So if you dont have a frag plug what do you do?

 

[BoomerD]

You can attach them to a bit of rock rubble, to a larger rock, whatever you choose.

 

[SJS]

I wear gloves whenever i am "playing" in the tank - I dont want to transfer any gunk on my hands into the tank and dont want any tank gunk getting into any cuts etc.. on my hands. Sometimes i use dish gloves - and I have extra long Coralife gloves...

 

[njm92383]

is there a certain type of glue to use? and some to stay away from?

 

[Royalscott]

Super glue gel works best.

 

[BoomerD]

Super glue gel works best.

Yep, get it at your local hobby/crafts store when possible. You'll get a larger bottle, usually for less $$$ than you'll pay for the little tubes.