Reefkeeping Dangers

[Curtswearing]

Excellent posts everyone. What Cougra posts is very true. I got stung by bees all of the time when I was little and it was no big deal. I have since developed hypersensitivities to a lot of substances and I actually have scars on my arms from touching my corals. I can also die from a bee sting now and that is why I know what an Epi-Pen is.

I will provide more info later. However, there was another thread with possible mantis shrimp in them.

Even though I keep a mantis in a nano tank, I do NOT put my hands into it. Even if they don't break your fingers, smashers also have barbs as well. The spearers obviously have barbs. You can get a nasty infection from a strike from either type.

Like I said....more info will come later. However, I wanted this warning out there.

[sharks]

Great info all
Along with the lions, rabbits, stone, and soap fish people should also remember that the common coral catfish has a powerful sting.
Here is a link with some info that may help
http://www.centralpets.com/pages/cri.../SWF2408.shtml

Note this part:
“If it is necessary for you to handle your Coral Catfish, you should use caution; spines located to the front of the pectoral and dorsal fins are venomous and will cause a painful injury. If for some reason it is necessary for you to reach into an aquarium containing Coral Catfish, use caution and be aware of the fish's position at all times.”
HIH
S

[SaltyQueen]

Excellent thread, nikki!

The information about the development of allergies is correct- allergic reactions don't happen the first time someone is exposed to the allergen- it takes multiple exposures for your body to develop histamines against the allergen (histamines cause allergic symptoms), and the more times you are exposed to a possible irritant, the worse your reaction could get. So.... always use gloves! Just because something didn't bother you the first few times you touched it, doesn't mean it never will!

[mnreefman]

heres a post i did on the subject
http://reefrock.com/site/modules.php...article&sid=30

[ReefLady]

heres a post i did on the subject

Great write up ~ thanks for sharing that!

[RanRoc]

Thanks for the info everyone! Great contributions!
-RY

[Curtswearing]

Excellent!!!

[ReefLady]

Along with the lions, rabbits, stone, and soap fish people should also remember that the common coral catfish has a powerful sting.

Great info., sharks - thanks. We were just talking about these fish last night in chat.

Here's another link on them:

>Marine Catfishes of the Family Plotosidae<

If you are unfortunate enough to get stung, soaking the injured area in *hot* water (as hot as you can possibly stand) changes the structure of the venom, and reduces the pain. Same goes for the sting of a Lion fish.

[ScottT1980]

Although it probably goes without saying, one of the biggest potential dangers with our tanks is the required electricity needed to succesfully maintain a reef tank (or even a fish only tank). The conductivity of SW is pretty significant and many of us, including myself, have been thrown aback due to an electrical shock from the tank or its equipment.

Check your outlets, keep drip loops on your cords, have a grounding probe, and think about GFCIs for any outlet that could come in contact with water.

Just some thoughts

Take er easy
SCott T.

[NaH2O]

Absolutely, Scott! Thanks for the input!!

[Witfull]

Originally posted by sharks
Along with the lions, rabbits, stone, and soap fish people should also remember that the common coral catfish has a powerful sting.

if you have any of these creatures, be aware of their location when your hands are in the tank. not only do you not want to move into them, but they can lunge with there spines. i speak from experience. i was cleaning a tank with a few Volitans in it and i was being careful to not bump them when one that was feeling more threatened than the others (they all had there spines erect but kept moving away from me) he suddenly did an El Toro move and drove one spine into my thumb. this hurt, like being stabbed with a tetnus needle. then the pain set in, burning sensation and swelling. then numbness. i had to go to the ER and had to try to explain to them what happened. well they were clueless. as in Luis' experience, it was Poison control to the rescue. i was numb for a few days and i widh it had lasted longer,,,when feeling came back it was pain, mostly when i was using the hand and blood pressure was increased.

[mnreefman]

Originally posted by ReefLady
Great write up ~ thanks for sharing that!

thanks!

[TDEVIL]

very good thread, and great info from all


TD

[Boomer]

Here are some of mine

Dangerous Marine Life

VENOMOUS CREATURES ON THE WEB

Books to think about;


A Color Atlas of Dangerous Marine Animals, B.W.Halstead.

Poisonous and Venoumous Animals of the World; Vol 1 & 2, B.W.Halstead.

Venomous and Poisonous Marine Animals: A Medical & Biological Handbook, John Williamson (Editor), et al

Pisces Guide to Venomous & Toxic Marine Life of the World
by P. Cunningham, P. Goetz

The Venomous and Poisonous Marine Invertebrates of the Indian Ocean, Findlay E. Russell, et a

Poisonous Marine Animals, F.E.Russell.

Dangerous Sea Creatures - Aquatic Survial Guide, N.Coleman

What to Do About Bites and Stings of Venomous Animals, R.E.Arnold.

A Field Guide to Dangerous Animals of North America, C.K. Levy.

[raymond0512]

Now I do not want to put my hands in my tank. I never think of any dangers in the aquarium. My hands have never been sensitive.