I was working in my tank and the back of my hand got stung by this anemone. At first it just felt like I burned it. but now 1 hour later it still hurts, feels more like deeper pain. Should I be concerned? It hurts pretty bad.

Victoria

if Ron not around then any help would be nice, thanks

Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Beginner since March 2004. Skimmerless 50g w/algal turf filter.

First, there are many things in our aquaria that can hurt or kill (yes, kill) us.  If you get stung and have pains developing from having been bitten by something:

DO NOT GO ONLINE TO ASK ABOUT IT!  IT CAN TAKE HOURS TO GET A RESPONSE.  BY THEN IT CAN BE TOO LATE!!! 

GO TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM. 

BE SURE YOU CAN TELL THEM WHAT BIT OR STUNG YOU.  TIME MAY BE IMPORTANT.

In your relaxing time, you should read this article I wrote a couple of years ago. The information in it is quite pertinent.  Some of the animals in our tanks may have very dangerous stings with very toxic venoms. 

Others may have material that can cause very serious allergic responses such as anaphylactic shock resulting in difficulty breathing.  Depending upon the person's individual physiology and the chemicals injected, the final effects may be utterly trivial, or they may be lethal. 

So, I tend to err on the side of caution. 

A quick (and incomplete) summary of dangerous critters (not every animal in the groups listed, but some from each):

Stings: anemones, snails, corals, hydroids, jellyfishes, odd polyps, sea urchins, sea stars, fishes, sponges,

Bites: snails, fishes, isopods, octopuses

Cheers, Ron

"The difference in mind between man and the higher animals, great as it is, certainly is one of degree and not of kind. The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man." Charles Darwin (1809-1882)

75 Gal/25 Gal Sump/Chiller/Too Much LR/Way To Many Fish!/WM Skimmer