Are "Polyps" The Same As Zoas?

So until just recently I had no idea that Zoas contained this toxin...
Now I'm kind of paranoid, and wondering if I have Zoas.

I have a few colonies of what people have called "Polyps", but when I look them up it goes back to Zoas.

Are these different?
I've got Yellow "Polyps" and Brown ones.

They look like this

 

This specimen is known as "yellow polyps" - a pretty generic name. I do believe they are related to zoanthis, but don't quote me on that.

As far as I know of, this particular coral does not contain a toxin, though some zoanthids do. It's not a large enough amount to be harmful to your aquarium, and certainly is something that could easily be taken care of by running GFO (granular ferric oxide), if a coral were to release a toxin (coral "warfare").

 

Well on some sites the Family Name is "Parazoanthidae".

I'm just paranoid like I said, because I've never known about this toxin possibility for about 5 months of my tank life.

Now it's like I've got a cut on one of my knuckles, I'm worried that somehow I'm going to knock something into it, you know.

I know it's unlikely, but now I'm like

I'm not, or have no intent on fragging or anything.

 

Then you will be just fine. Fragging is usually the only time when toxins become a problem for aquarists; even then it's not always a problem. Just wear latex gloves and you will be fine.

Coral toxins are used for survial, in coral warfare. As coras grow, they need more space. When they need space, releasing their toxin is basically saying "get out of my way". Anemones (generally) do the same thing (stinging), but they can move if they get stung (by other 'nems) while corals can't.

I hope I have been of help to you.

 

You've been a help, I just kind of needed someone to more or less say "Don't worry about it"
I started looking around after I discovered they had the toxin, and read that they'd need to shoot an antidote into your heart region.
So I'm picturing a Pulp Fiction type scene all because I'm doing a water change with a paper-cut on my thumb. 8)

I saw "One of the most toxic substances" and stated to think about never putting my hand in there again.

 

You will be ok with it in the tank. If you ever go to frag it, just where latex gloves when cutting.

 

Parazoanthus (yellow polyps) have more palytoxin than most other corals in the same family so it's always a good idea to use caution when dealing with it. When fragging, always wear gloves, protective goggles, and keep your mouth shut and then wash hands and arms thoroughly afterwards.

The green button and brown button polyps (palythoa) have more palytoxin as well. One palythoa has the most out of all of them. It was very uncommon in the hobby until a couple of years ago. palythoa grandis - Google Search People like the size of them (the polyps are much larger than regular button polyps). I don't really care for them as I don't think they are all that attractive but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have a couple of them at Marine Solutions if you want to see what they look like in person.

I don't like to scare people about the palytoxin in zoantharia. (Besides, it's also in some macroalgaes and some sponges too). The amount varies a lot so I just like people to be smart and prepared. With that said, I've been poisoned and I had bad things coming out of both ends of me and had chills/fever for 3 days. It's NOT fun at all. I had a buddy who was working down at Aquatic Treasures down in South County that went into convulsions. Luckily, his father was a doctor at St. Johns. Even though there were closer hospitals, his father is in the hobby too and actually knew what palytoxin is and what to do. Someones dog drank water that some zoanthids were freshwater dipped in and died. Another one of my buddies was fragging some zoanthids and got squirt in the mouth. He started going numb and didn't want to tell his wife and posted instead about it on a forum I moderate. I said, take two Benadryl right now and call 911. The ambulance gave him more Benadryl via IV on the way to the hospital and he was fine after several hours.

 

Thanks Inwall.
I'm still a little freaked out, and if I may ask, how did it happen to you?
Were you fragging them?

Here's some pics of mine, and also of my "Brown Polyps".
And the white thing in the photo of the Yellows is a Leather than fell last night, so now that it's right next to the Yellows I'm like "Maybe I shouldn't go down there"

Yellows closed and open. I'm guessing that they're the same as the original picture I posted, just wanted to be sure.

 

Yep, you have lots of palytoxin there. LOL The parazoanthus has plenty and thats the type of brown palythoa that has a lot of it.

Again, I wouldn't worry about it. If you touch them, make sure wash your hands well and especially make it a habit to never touch mucus membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) if you've had your hands in your tank. Anywhere in the tank.

No. It's a common misconception that the only way that palytoxin can get into you is via a cut. It makes it easier, but it can be absorbed through the skin without any cuts. That's how I got it. I trans-shipped about $25,000 worth of corals from Indonesia and to place them in the growout pond, I was basically walking around in it for hours. There were enough corals in there (roughly 3,000 gallons) putting out toxins that it soaked through the skin in my feet and calves.

 

Great...
Wanna come get some free corals?
I want them out, lol