Anemone stung me!!

thegrog

thegrog

Active Member
OK, I've been keeping anemones for a few years now and always handled them without any problems. My prze RBTA decided to go wandering after 2+ years in the same spot and wound up on one of my powerheads (turned it off last night when I saw him getting close so not to be sucked in) so I decided to remove it and place it back in it's original spot.
Anyway, while manipulating it to get it off, I started feeling an extremely painful stinging sensation on my finger!
I looked down and a small cut on my finger (happened yesterday) was where it was hurting. Well, after a few seconds of this, I was almost in tears from the pain!!!!

I went running into the kitchen and tore my cabinate apart looking for the vinegar and gave it a quick rinse.....with immediate relief!!! For those who don't know, vinegar neutralizes most marine venom (learned this as a divemaster for jellyfish encounters)
I am fine now, the anemone is back at his home, and lesson learned.
So, careful when handling these creatures as even the experienced can get stung!!!
And I feel soooooo sorry for any marine animal who gets stung by one of these!!
 
littlebuck

littlebuck

Active Member
well good thing you are ok. I just bought my 1st anemone today and good thing u told me that i know u had to be careful but never know it could get that bad. I just got a sebae any pointer on it?
 
thegrog

thegrog

Active Member
Originally Posted by Littlebuck
I just got a sebae any pointer on it?
yes, handle it as little as possible. This for both your health and the health of the anemone.
 
diane4

diane4

Member
Yes, get yourself a box of rubber gloves. Because even if the anemone doesn't sting you, there are plenty of things in the tank that can and will sting you. I was once stung by my recordia and I still have a scar (kind of like a hard blister) on my finger and that was about 2 months ago.
USE gloves.
Bristleworms can sting, lots of critters can sting.
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Originally Posted by TheGrog
just be sure the gloves are powder free!!!
For that matter they shouldn't be laytex either. Not that it will bother the anemone but humans instead. More and more humans are suffering from Anaphylactic Shock than ever.
 
thegrog

thegrog

Active Member
Originally Posted by Thomas712
For that matter they shouldn't be laytex either. Not that it will bother the anemone but humans instead. More and more humans are suffering from Anaphylactic Shock than ever.
On that note, I did a little medical research today (slow day in the ER) and found that those who are allergic to bee stings will also be very sensitive to anemone stings. They may even have the same type of anaphylactic reaction (that can kill) to an anemone sting!!! There are a few case reports in the medical literature of this happening (no fatalities but serious, life-threatening reactions).
Bottom line is BE CAREFUL with these creatures!!!!
 
bronco300

bronco300

Active Member
thats crazy, glad to hear you are fine grog...and now i know not to touch em...even though i dont have em.

Luke P
 
dragonladylea

dragonladylea

Member
My husband got stung by a small deep red anemone that we had in our tank at one time and his hand was numb for weeks. Never did find out what kind of anemone it was. :thinking:
 
T

thomas712

Guest
Originally Posted by Dragonladylea
My husband got stung by a small deep red anemone that we had in our tank at one time and his hand was numb for weeks. Never did find out what kind of anemone it was. :thinking:
Do you still have it or a picture of it?
 
speg

speg

Active Member
I have touched my BTA many times and I do not even feel a thing.. I sometimes assumed that it didnt sting at all :p I'd almost like to be stung to know just how painful it would be.. haha...
 
thegrog

thegrog

Active Member
Originally Posted by crazyzeus1
REEEAAALLLYYY dumb question...but could your cut be stinging because it got saltwater on it?
Not even close to the level of pain I had.
 
dragonladylea

dragonladylea

Member
THOMAS712 No never did get a picture of it and its been gone about 2 years now but it was about the size of a half dollar with short tentacles and a deep velvet red. It really was pretty and to be honest I havent ever seen another one like it. :thinking:
 
crashedin0

crashedin0

Member
i guess it was the blood ive touch him many time befor havent don it in the llast 2 months or so but damn it hurts that bad ?
 
popnfrresh

popnfrresh

Member
Watch sensitive areas. Wrists and non calloused body parts. IE only the palm of hands and if your dumb enough to stick your feet in your tank. Other than the the anenome will sting and it will hurt.
 
yimmy

yimmy

Active Member
That ruins my plan for an anemone. I think I'm allergic to bees cuz my mom dad and sister are. Even though the one time I was stung I was fine but I sill wouldn't want to risk it. Thanks.
YOU SAVED MY LIFE

JK
but seriously
Jimmy
 
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