Adelaide family 'hospitalised by toxic spores from fish tank'

An Adelaide family has been hospitalised after it’s believed they were poisoned by spores from their fish tank.

A four-month-old girl was among seven members of a family that fell ill after a large fish tank in their Aldinga Beach home was cleaned.

It’s believed the two adults and five children were exposed to toxic spores from jellyfish-like organisms scrubbed off several pieces of coral.

Marine ecology expert professor Ivan Nagelkerken said in some cases the chemical the family were exposed to could be severe.

“Vapour can contain these chemicals or the chemicals can enter your body through your skin,” he said.

“That’s where it can caused anywhere from inflammation to sometimes even death.”

Crews collected coral, put them into containers and soaked them in bleach.

The family dog was also given a bath.

But it’s believed it could be days before the home is completely decontaminated and deemed safe for the family to return.