Wikapedia entry on zoanthids are you frightened? I know I'm not.

[boatswainmate]

interesting if nothing else.

"Some zoanthids contain the highly toxic substance palytoxin. Palytoxin is one of the most toxic organic substances in the world, but there is an ongoing debate over the concentration of this toxin in these animals. However, even in small quantities, the toxin can be fatal should it be ingested or enter the blood stream. If delivered immediately, vasodilators injected into the ventricle of the heart can act as an antidote.

In order for this toxin to be dangerous to humans, the average aquarist would need to ingest the zoanthid in sufficient quantities, or brush a recent cut over it. Average handling, propagation and aquarium maintenance is unlikely to pose any danger beyond a localized skin reaction."

 

[Myteemouse]

This is true..
Some palys are worse than others..
Still no worries..

 

[dudeman]

when i first found that out i got a little nervouse, but i read a story of a big tank in someones garage with a ridiculouse amount of zoas being stored for a friend, and somehow the water started evaporating real quick and the palytoxin became airborne. i dont know if it was tru but it scared me until i did some more research

 

[mfinn]

when i first found that out i got a little nervouse, but i read a story of a big tank in someones garage with a ridiculouse amount of zoas being stored for a friend, and somehow the water started evaporating real quick and the palytoxin became airborne. i dont know if it was tru but it scared me until i did some more research

I would have to say that is untrue.
The toxin that some zoanthids/palythoas have inside them doesn't float around in the water.
You are only going to be at risk from it if you break open the skin of a palythoa polyp and then let it get into a cut on your hand ,, or where ever. And that's only if it is one that does actually have a toxin strong enough to harm you. Not all are extremely toxic.
It's not going to jump out of the water and get you.:lol:

 

[dudeman]

lol yea i figured that out, but when i first read the story it freaked me out because i didnt know zoas/palys were toxic at all...