Calitoxin causes massive neurotransmitter release from the nerve terminals of the neuromuscular junction, which in turn causes a strong muscle contraction and even paralysis. The exact target of calitoxin has not yet been clarified; since it has a similar action on the neuromuscular junction as Anemonia sulcata toxins, calitoxin may slow down the inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels in motor neurons. Calitoxin has been tested for activity on the crab Carcinus mediterraneus. Purified toxin was injected into the hemocoel of the crab. The minimum dose of 0.2 µg of toxin triggered muscle contractions in the crab, causing paralysis within 1 minute. The median lethal dose () is unknown.
