Poinsonous Fishes

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Abstract
Fishes are believed to become poisonous as a result of feeding on marine algae. There is no evidence that plankton or radioactive substances are a factor in the production of the poisons. Poisonous fishes are largely circumtropical in their distribution. Toxin content is greatest in puffers during their reproductive season of the year. The distribution of the toxin within the body of the fish is subject to considerable fluctuation, but if the fish is poisonous, some of the poison will be present in the viscera in about 90% of the cases. Poisonous fishes cannot be detected by their appearance. There are 8 clinical types of ichthyosarcotoxism recognized at present. With the exceptions of gempylid diarrhea and scombroid poisoning, all other types of ichthyosarcotoxism are characterized by neurotoxic symptoms. The treatment of fish poisoning is symptomatic. Little is known about the chemical and pharmacological properties of fish poisons.
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