Barb shed question

[polar88]

My retic. Shed her barb tonight and was jus wondering if its ok to just reach in and take it out with my bare fingers or should I still avoid contact with it all together... Thank you

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[Jimmy16]

use a net? lol

 

[polar88]

Yea that's what I've been doing in the past, I was just curious if there was any danger in handling it after its been shed, I was thinking about saving them but didn't know what if any the risk was

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[hereticlosmorte]

not really much danger, i do it for mine. just be careful and don't purposely grab the pointed end. always try to pick it up by the base of the barb

 

[JohnG]

I handle them all the time after I pull them out of the pond. Just handle it like you would a knife, don't touch the sharp parts.

 

[polar88]

Thanks all

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[Zoodiver]

The toxin is in the sheath and needs to enter the bloodstream to work. As long as you don't have open cuts or poke yourself with it, you're safe.

I boil mine afterward. Makes them toxin free and a nice clean white color before adding them to the collection on the shelf.