Are sea urchin's spines poisonous?

[Carpentersreef]

I tried moving my long spined black sea urchin tonight from 1 tank to the other, and even though I was wearing coralife Aquagloves, thick PVC, I got poked enough to bleed from about 5 spines that penetrated the gloves! Dammit! It almost seemed that there was some kind of stain on my fingers (not blood).

Anybody know anything about this?

I'm not too worried about it.

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[chris_h]

Yes its venom is purple. No medical problems unless you it gets infected.

 

[Carpentersreef]

thanks chris.

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Mitch

They do have a weak venom. Nothing to be concerned of. You can nuetralize its effect with vinager although it is not the best thing.

Growing up in Hawaii and an avid surfer we called these critters Vauna. Wipig out on the reefs meant getting an leg or arm og these painful little bastards broke off in your skin. You can completeely disolve and neutralize them with URINE, thats right piss.
I spent quite a few times standing on rocks peeing on myself in full view of everyone else. Living through a forearm full of these spines helps you get over it quick.

The choice is your vinager or walk out back, just dont let the wife catch you, she wil never beleive you.

Ahh sweety, see there was this surfer on the internet,... and umm

 

[Carpentersreef]

Thanks Dave, no wife, but maybe my dogs might join in!

 

[tazdevil]

Just be sure to watch out for any signs of infection-redness at site, swelling, white puss like material oozing, extrem pain, or even your whole hand puffing up/red. If anything like this happens, see a doctor immediately-these can be easily treated when fast action is taken. Otherwise-----captain hook? (we see the bad results of these type of infections in our diabetic patients-same type, different reasons of course) And be careful!!!! (maybe tongs for aqauscaping with a gentle touch).

 

[Carpentersreef]

Thanks Taz,
I had previously tried moving the urchin witha net, but the SECOND he realized he was being "attacked", he started moving the spines like crazy, and went for the nearest hiding spot. I'm not sure that I could have done much better with tongs. Tonight I saw that he was in a vunerable spot, that I could get my hands under him, but he moved so damned fast, that I didn't even notice that the spines had penetrated the gloves until it was too late. I've had LOTS of experience with various preserved wood splinters, but I will keep an extra eye out for infection tonight.

I knew I could count on you guys here for a quick answer! My only other source for info was to try to rifle through my books.

Mitch