Wondering if the reporter just got confused... It is more likely that he had a LOT of palythoa zoanthids as they are a more likely culprit— the fact that you shouldnt really handle them without protection is a giveaway. Palythoa are nearly indestructible, inexpensive, and are often one of the first corals a new reef keeper buys— without knowing anything about them. The Pulsing Xenia was not the problem nor the source of the palytoxin. They are more interesting but less colorful and easy to propogate. I’ve handled dozens of pieces in and out of water (it does smell out of water.) Last time I pruned, I left several large fragments in the laundry sink for a week trying to dry them out (and kill the Xenia) so I could start again. Still, a bizarre story to me in that so many were sickened by it.
“Still a bizarre story to me in that so many were sickened by it”
My first association with this story with another story was where ER people were dropping like flies when treating a patient.
The patient was having cardiac arrest and a defibrillator was used. Soon after, an unknown toxin was making everyone drop unconscious. The ER was evacuated and Haz Mat called in. The Dr. put on an O2 mask and continued trying to save the patient. (she later died of her late station cancer) Turns out the woman had been dousing herself with DMSO and the electro shock caused formation of extremely poisonous dimethyl sulfate.