The most poisonous sea fish. Poisonous fish
On a large scale, the problem of toxicity of marine fish has been faced American troops during the war in the Pacific region in 1941-1945. In conditions of difficult centralized food delivery, the troops had to resort to using local resources, including sea fish. Lack of proper instruction and supervision competent authorities led to poisonings, which at times became widespread. It is also known that in various areas of the World Ocean, mass poisoning sometimes occurs after eating certain types of fish and shellfish, which are usually harmless.
About 50 species of fish from three families are capable of accumulating in their bodies a poison that is among the most dangerous - tetrodotoxin (tetraodotoxin). The lethal dose of tetrodotoxin for humans is about 8 mcg per 1 kg of body weight. Representatives of these families usually live in tropical and sub- tropical waters World ocean. Characteristic and most dangerous representatives of these families are the following species.
Pufferfish (tetrodons, puffers, dogfishes). Over 90 species are known. The body length on average does not exceed 30...40 cm, but some individuals reach a length of 70 cm. The body is naked, barrel-shaped, usually with spines on the belly (Fig. 34). There are no pelvic fins. The small mouth is armed with four chisel-shaped teeth, two of which are located on the upper jaw and two on the lower jaw. The back is dark, the sides and belly are light. Some species have worm-shaped and round dark spots on the back and sides. Brown. Disturbed fish can swallow water or air, taking on a spherical shape. Pufferfish are widely distributed, but are more often found off the coast of the South and South-East Asia, Central America, Oceania. Their reproductive products (caviar, milt), kidneys and lining of the abdominal cavity, liver and skin are poisonous. Some species can be used as food, but only after special processing. Information about the degree of toxicity of meat is very contradictory. It is believed that meat is most poisonous during the spawning period. In Japan, over 22 years, 3,106 cases of human poisoning were recorded after eating dishes prepared from these fish. It is believed that about 100 people die every year. In 1947, for example, 470 people died after feasting on a dish made from this fish in a special restaurant. No wonder there is a Japanese proverb: “If you want to eat puffer fish, write your will first.” A case is described when the famous 18th century navigator D. Cook and members of his crew were seriously poisoned after eating fried liver and tetrodon meat.
Diodon (urchin fish). About 15 species of these fish are known. The body length reaches 70 cm. The body shape is spherical. The body is covered with spines and needles (Fig. 35). Diodon's small mouth has two chisel-shaped teeth. The jaws are slightly moved forward. The coloring of these fish is uniform: brownish, greenish, brownish. Diodon leads sedentary lifestyle life and lives in coastal waters. The fish is widespread in the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. At the moment of danger, it swallows water and turns into a ball covered with thorns. It is most poisonous during the spawning period. This fish is eaten less frequently than tetrodon, and therefore there are fewer cases of poisoning.
Moonfish. This is a large animal, more than 2.5 m long and weighing up to 1000 kg. The body is disc-shaped, laterally compressed (Fig. 36). Dorsal and anal fins triangular (wedge-shaped), caudal fin in the form of a frill bordering the back of the body. The body color is greenish-blue. Lives in surface layers of water in tropical latitudes. Reproducts and liver are poisonous. The meat is considered edible, although there is information about its seasonal toxicity.
Tetraodotoxin poison causes loss of sensation in the tongue, fingertips, and sometimes other parts of the body. In case of poisoning, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing and swallowing are observed. In severe cases, death occurs from paralysis respiratory organs. The patient often feels dry mouth, thirst, palpitations, stomach pain, etc.
There is no specific antidote. Treatment boils down to inducing vomiting, gastric lavage, stimulating cardiac activity and respiration. In severe forms of poisoning, hospitalization is necessary.
In addition to the fish mentioned above, there are also poisonous species among other families.
Body fish. About 20 species of these fish are known. Body length up to 50 cm. Absent pelvic fins. The body is shaped like a box; under the skin there is a bone shell (box). Only the tail is movable. Under the eyes there are bony outgrowths - horns. The usual color is yellowish or olive with green spots. The fish lives in coastal waters of tropical latitudes. Swims poorly. There is information about the toxicity of skin mucus and some internal organs.
Triggerfish (ballistas). About 30 species of these fish are known. Body length up to 50 cm. Body oval, laterally compressed, flat. The head is conical, the eyes are set high (Fig. 37). The mouth is small, the teeth are protruding and strong. The back is blue, the sides and belly are pink or yellow. The first dorsal fin has a long, sharp spine, which is pressed to the back when at rest. Inhabits coastal waters of tropical latitudes. Reproducts and liver are seasonally poisonous.
Moray eels. There is an opinion that, in addition to the danger of bites, some types of moray eels are poisonous when eaten. High toxicity of moray eel blood serum has been established.
Sharks. Meat of some types of sharks (hammerhead shark, blacktip shark, great White shark, polar shark, etc.) can cause food poisoning. Shark liver is considered poisonous and should not be eaten.
Meat polar shark causes food poisoning when consumed in fresh, although quite edible after some storage.
Barracuda. Some species of barracuda are considered seasonally poisonous, with caviar, milt, and liver being especially toxic.
Mass poisonings such as sigwater. The term "sig watera" (or ciguatera) appears to have originated quite a long time ago in the Central American region. In case of poisoning such as sigwater, itching is observed in the area of the lips, tongue, and throat. Then numbness of these parts of the body develops. Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, stomach cramps, diarrhea, headache, joint pain, insomnia, sometimes temporary visual disturbances (blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, etc.), perversion of skin sensitivity (hot seems cold and vice versa). Subsequently, a skin rash and severe peeling of the skin develops, especially on the soles of the feet and palms. Sometimes my nails fall out.
In severe cases, movement coordination disorder, muscle paralysis, convulsions, etc. develop. The mortality rate reaches 7%. Recovery is slow.
For treatment, methods developed for the treatment of food intoxication are used: forced vomiting ( by physical methods or using medicines), gastric lavage, gastric cleansing with laxatives, etc. For symptoms of damage nervous system They recommend intravenous administration of a 10% solution of calcium gluconate, and in case of depression of respiratory function, respiratory stimulants. In the presence of spastic phenomena in the larynx, intubation or tracheotomy and the administration of analgesics for severe pain are recommended. If skin rashes develop, take antihistamines.
It is believed that over 300 species of fish living in tropical latitudes can cause poisonings such as sigwater. This type of poisoning is mainly seasonal or local in nature, since at other times of the year or in other areas many of these fish species are harmless to humans.
In 1955-1956 In a number of areas of the Pacific and Indian oceans (off the coast of Japan, the Philippines, etc.), cases of mass poisoning by fish and octopuses were observed. Similar cases have been recorded on a number of coral atolls tropical zone Pacific Ocean. Japanese scientists believe that many reef fish of the Micronesian and Marshall Islands archipelago are fatally poisonous if eaten. According to the prominent American scientist B. Halsted, the accumulation of poison in fish that causes poisoning occurs due to food chain. Pisces acquires poisonous properties as a result of eating poisonous plant organisms coral reefs. These fish are eaten by larger ones predatory fish, and the latter are eaten by people.
IN separate group food poisoning should be highlighted when consumed stale fish, which is especially important in tropical latitudes, where high water and air temperatures contribute to rapid spoilage of fish. Thus, cases of acute poisoning have been observed when eating harmless mackerel fish such as tuna, bonito, mackerel, etc.
The clinical picture of acute poisoning by mackerel fish sometimes manifests itself in the form of an allergic disease. Immediately after eating spoiled fish, headache, nausea, dry mouth, thirst, and abdominal pain develop. Later, red stripes and spots appear on the body, and severe itching is felt. For treatment, the same measures are used as in the case of poisoning of the sigwater type. If the meat of mackerel fish has a burning or pungent taste, it is unfit for food.
For prevention purposes, it is necessary to remember that it is very difficult, and most often impossible, to determine the degree of toxicity only by the appearance of the fish. Existing laboratory methods biological analysis are complex and difficult to carry out during a voyage. In this regard, you should not eat fish entrails: liver, reproductive products, etc., especially during their breeding season. You should avoid eating fish unusual shape or coloring pages, do not eat fish that have been stored for a long time high temperature environment.
Conventional culinary processing (boiling, frying) does not always lead to the neutralization of poisons, since some of them retain their activity, while others break down into new substances that are also harmful to human health.
If absolutely necessary (for example, extreme conditions accidents) you should first soak thin pieces of fish meat in water for a long time, and then cook in several waters. In Japan, for example, chefs must undergo extensive training and pass an exam before they can prepare fugu fish, considered a great delicacy. The free sale of this fish is prohibited by law.
Information about the toxicity of certain fish in a given area and in this period time can sometimes be obtained from local residents engaged in fishing.
Information about food poisoning caused by fish is especially important for ship cooks. When selecting fish for the galley from the next catch or purchasing it from local fishermen, you must remember that if you select fish carelessly, you can cause harm to the entire crew of the vessel. You should be aware that food poisoning on a ship on the high seas, in the absence of specialized medical care, can have serious consequences.
The seas and oceans of our planet are home to many different poisonous creatures. and fish are no exception here. There are also poisonous creatures among fish. Some fish have poison that can be fatal to humans. It is difficult to single out the most poisonous fish among them. Here are some fish that are deadly to humans.
Scorpion fish live in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of the Australian continent. Scorpionfish is considered one of the most poisonous fish. The color of this fish varies greatly. It camouflages itself with the color of the bottom surrounding it. On the back of the scorpionfish there are many strong and sharp spines with poisonous glands at their base.
As soon as you step on a scorpion fish, the spines dig into the leg and the poison enters the person. If a person is not helped immediately, death is possible. And it is very easy to step on a scorpionfish, because it lives near the shore in shallow water.
In the warm tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans lives another one of the most poisonous fish. This is a stone fish. This fish is also called warty fish. Its body is not smooth, it is covered with processes of various sizes. The stone fish lives on the bottom.
It is very difficult to spot this fish in the water. Stonefish are often covered with sand. Sometimes algae even grows on it. It fully lives up to its name - it looks like a stone with algae. The dorsal fin of this fish contains poisonous needles.
A person who steps on a stone fish will receive a fair amount of poison. This poison causes tissue damage and death. Very quickly the affected area spreads throughout the body, causing paralysis and then death. Stonefish mainly live in the depths, but are sometimes found near the shores.
But the fugo fish is considered the most dangerous. And not even because its poison is more dangerous than that of other fish. Simply because its meat is considered a delicacy. And among residents, especially of Southeast Asia and Japan, it is very popular. Improperly prepared fugo fish kills more than one thousand inhabitants of planet Earth every year.
Fugo fish is also called rocktooth. It is in her hard and sharp teeth that there is poison. You cannot handle this, one of the most dangerous fish, without gloves. Her skin is also poisonous. It is banned in many countries free sale. But thanks to the fact that there are people who like to play hide and seek with death, it is caught for food.
After catching the fish, the poisonous teeth are immediately removed. Not every cook can cook fugo fish. The cook must undergo special, long-term training before preparing fugo fish on his own. During an exam, for example in Japan, he must himself eat the dishes he has prepared.
Recently I was invited to go fishing in the Mediterranean Sea. I must say that I am not a fisherman at all and even slightly less than a fisherman, but leisure I love it, so I gladly agreed.
As is usually the case with a newbie, I got the full bonus, I bit and caught all sorts of fish, among them sea bass, sea bream, oblada, all less than 500 grams, very few caught. Having heard stories about the toxicity of some species of fish, I treated each specimen I caught with caution, observing safety measures. And as usual, I decided to share this topic with readers.
Inhabitants seabed sometimes as they seem. Many quite nice and bright fish have sharp teeth, and even thorns or thorns, the injection of which can be fatal to humans. So, the 10 most poisonous fish.
1
Outwardly, it really looks like a stone: its entire body is covered with brown growths, which makes this poisonous fish very difficult to notice at the bottom. The stone fish itself is never the first to attack a person, but if you accidentally touch it, it will strike you with its poisonous spines, of which there are 13 on its body. In this case, you need to immediately consult a doctor - if the poison immediately gets into any large artery, death may occur within 2-3 hours. By the way, the popular resorts of Thailand and Egypt are full of these fish...
2 Dogfish (aka rockfish, pufferfish, fourtoothfish)
Belongs to the pufferfish family. Her poison is in the skin and in internal organs. Among Eastern peoples, it is considered a delicacy, but we still would not recommend trying it - it is unlikely that this taste is worth your life. The poison is a nerve agent, and no antidote has yet been found. The habitat of the rocktooth is tropical and subtropical seas, but it can also be found in Russia: Peter the Great Bay all the way to Sakhalin. It usually swims at a depth of 100 m, and grows no more than 50 cm in length.
3 Lionfish (zebra fish)
Lives in coral reefs Indian and Pacific oceans. It has a bright and beautiful color that resembles a zebra, which is where it got its name. She has very beautiful fins that flutter like wings in the water, but it is on this beauty that the poisonous needles are located. When injected with at least one of them, convulsions may occur, heart function may be disrupted, or even gangrene may occur in the area of the injection. When a few occur, a person goes into shock and loses consciousness.
4
A species of predatory ray-finned fish of the dragon family, a group of perciformes, living in the coastal waters of the European Atlantic, as well as in the Black and Mediterranean seas.
The injection is usually not fatal, but causes extremely severe pain, swelling, and necrosis of the affected area. In severe cases, paralysis, respiratory and hemodynamic disorders are observed.
A prick from inimicus thorns is as dangerous as a viper bite. These fish live on coral reefs or in coastal areas tropical seas, are also found in temperate waters, for example off the coast of Japan, where they are eaten as a delicacy.
6
There are about 110 species in the grouper genus. The dorsal fin bears 13-15 hard and sharp rays-spines, on operculum there are thorns.
When pricked by prickly rays sea bass after a few minutes, severe pain and an inflammatory reaction develop at the site of the lesion. The poison is drained by the lymphatic system, lymphadenitis and lymphangitis develop. The swelling, which is initially localized at the injection site, can then spread to the hand and even forearm.
7
This fish has an interesting color, thanks to which it can easily camouflage itself in stones or algae. The scorpionfish's poisonous glands are located on the fins and throughout the body. Simply stepping on a fish while swimming can result in a significant dose of poison. The habitat of the sea ruffe is the Sea of Japan, the Black Sea and some warm latitudes of the world's oceans.
8
The fish, which lives exclusively on the bottom, is insidious because it cannot be seen by divers, although it can reach 2 m in length. The prick of her tail is extremely dangerous, and not only because of its pain: a dose of poison is released through the needle, and if the prick occurs in the heart area, death will occur almost instantly. This is how the famous crocodile hunter Stee Irwin died.
9
A dangerous fish with a perfect body shape. The body length is 100-220 cm, and the body weight is about 25 kg. You can meet the katran in the Eastern Atlantic, Black and Mediterranean seas. She has needles on her back that can hurt as painfully as sharp teeth, and her venom leads to swelling and suppuration at the injection site.
10
Marine ray-finned fish of the surgeon family of the order Perciformes. Behind the tail on each side there is a small orange spot - there is a razor-sharp thorn. Be careful, this Arabian surgeon's weapon is poisonous! When injured, the person experiences severe pain for about an hour. To neutralize it, rinse the wound with hot water.
Many television shows and nature programs are dedicated to educating the public about the most venomous and toxic spiders, snakes and even frogs, but what about fish? Unlike spiders and snakes, we rarely hear that a particular fish is the most poisonous (or toxic). Today we will deal with the most dangerous fish.
First, let's understand some concepts. The terms poisonous and toxic are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings, which we have written about more than once. A venomous animal has a means of injecting its venom into another animal, whereas a toxic animal can only deliver its toxin in a more passive manner (by touching or eating). A typical example The explanation for this difference is that frogs are toxic and snakes are venomous. It is also important to note that when coming into contact with a poisonous fish, relief can often be obtained by immersing the wound in hot water(~40-46°C) because these toxins are heat labile (meaning they can be destroyed or altered by heat).
Photo. Puffer fish
1. Puffer fish has been called the "most toxic fish" and has also been noted as the second most toxic vertebrate in the world (the first being the golden dart frog). The toxin responsible for this fish's high ranking is called tetrodotoxin. Tetrodotoxin is neurotoxic and inhibits neuronal transmission leading to weakness, paralysis and even death at relatively low concentrations (~2 mg). One fish contains enough toxin to kill 30 adults, and there is no known antidote. This toxin is found in the fish's liver, ovaries, intestines and skin, leaving muscle tissue at relatively low and somewhat safe levels for consumption of these fish. However, only highly trained and certified chefs are allowed to prepare this fish for consumption. This is a common practice in Japan, where fugu fish is considered a delicacy.
Photo. Wartweed
2. B last years wart (stone fish) from the pufferfish has usurped the title of “the most poisonous fish.” It often resembles overgrown stones (hence the name) and easily blends into environment. They inject their venom through several spines located on their backs, which can be raised when they feel threatened (or are stepped on). The poison is involuntarily injected when pressure is applied to the fish, and with what more pressure, the more poison is injected. They live in the Indo-Pacific region and northern Australia. A sting from one of these fish can cause excruciating pain, rapid swelling, tissue death, muscle weakness, temporary paralysis and, in very rare cases, death. In addition, it is known that this fish is able to stay out of water for a maximum of 24 hours. They are often very difficult to spot because they look like rocks or coral.
Photo. Lionfish
3. Until recently lionfish(zebra fish) was considered the most poisonous fish until the wart stole that title. It is noticeable by its warning coloration with red, white, plum and black stripes. These highly visible fish have venomous dorsal, anal and pelvic spines covered with a loose sheath that moves and compresses the venom glands as the spine cuts through the tissue.
Injection of these fish can cause extreme pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, difficulty breathing, convulsions, dizziness, redness at the injection site, headache, numbness, paresthesia, heartburn, diarrhea and, in very severe cases, cardiovascular collapse. Most lionfish live in the Indo-Pacific region, but in recent years they have become invasive species, especially on the Atlantic coast of the United States, where they have big influence on Atlantic coral reef communities. Apparently, the lionfish appeared along Atlantic coast due to the fact that it was released from aquariums. They can live up to 15 years.
Photo. Taeniura lymma stingray
4. Stingrays are one of the most common groups of fish responsible for human intoxication, largely because many stingrays burrow seabed, where people unintentionally step on them. Stingray venom is usually cardiotoxic. Taeniura lymma, found in the Indo-Pacific region, and Dasyatis americana, found in the southeastern United States, are among the most poisonous of all stingrays. The teniura limma ray usually displays its bright blue spots to warn other animals that it has a very strong poisonous sting. It is known that stingrays are capable of showing aggression and even attacking people.
Photo. Painted box (lat. Ostracion meleagris)
5. Body closely related to pufferfish. Although these fish are not as poisonous as pufferfish, they have an impressive method of defense using venom. When threatened or stressed, they release a toxin from specialized skin cells into the water, poisoning sea life in District. The painted boxfish (Ostracion meleagris) in particular produces a toxin called ostracitoxin or pachutoxin, which is known to destroy red blood cells.
Photo. Fish from the stargazer family
6. Also worth mentioning are some other poisonous fish, which have two poisonous spines near their eyes that cause an electric shock, just like the eel does. striped catfish. The family Stargazers (lat. Uranoscopidae) includes approximately 51 species. All species are marine and have been found throughout the world in shallow and deep waters. On their large head, in addition to the eyes pointing upward, there are also big mouth, also looking up. They usually burrow into the sand and emerge upward to lure prey into a trap. They are poisonous. They have two large venomous spines located above their pectoral fins. Species from the genus Astroscopus and Uranoscopus can also perform electric shocks.
Photo. Fish from the toad-like family
7. Batrakhovye(toad fish). Fishes in this family are usually called toadiformes, and their English and scientific name due to their toad-like appearance. Their eyes are set high on their large heads. Their mouths are also large and often decorated with flaps of skin and whiskers. As a rule, they gray, although those that live on coral reefs may have brighter colors.
Batrachaceae are found throughout the world. Most of these fish live in marine environment, although some are found in less saline waters. They are benthic ambush predators that favor sandy or muddy bottoms, where their cryptic coloration helps them avoid detection by their prey. Batrachids are known for their ability to “sing,” with males in particular using their swim bladder as sound device, used to attract relatives. Among the toad-like species there are poisonous species in which the poisonous glands are located at the base of the hollow spiny rays of the first dorsal fin and the spine of the operculum. An injection from such thorns and thorns causes a very painful sensation in a person, but the strength of the poison is not sufficient to cause death.
If you know of any other poisonous or toxic fish not listed here, or have experience with the species listed here, please share your knowledge and experience below.
Last time we talked about fish that can give electric shocks. Let's talk today about the most poisonous fish in the world. And I also ask you not to kick me, I compiled this rating based on my own considerations.
1. Fish stone
This fish is considered one of the most poisonous in the world. Another name for stone fish is wartfish. The fish got this name for its unsightly, and even ugly appearance. It is found in the shallow waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, as well as in the waters of the Red Sea, off the coast of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Marshall Islands, Fiji and Samoa. The Russians have a real chance of facing dangerous fish on the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada or Dahab. The skin of the stone fish is soft and completely covered with warty protrusions. The skin color of this underwater inhabitant ranges from bright red to dark brown. But on the body there are shades of white, yellow and gray tones. On its dorsal part there is a row of spines that release a poisonous toxin. It is the most dangerous venomous fish known and its venom causes extreme pain with possible shock, paralysis and tissue death depending on the depth of penetration. At the slightest irritation, the wart raises the spines of the dorsal fin; sharp and durable, they easily pierce the shoes of a person who accidentally steps on a fish, and penetrate deep into the foot. If the injection penetrates deeply, it can be fatal to a person if he does not receive medical attention within a few hours. If poison gets inside, depending on the depth of penetration, apply a strong tightening bandage or a hemostatic tourniquet, which is placed between the wound and the nearest bend. If a thorn gets into a large blood vessel, death can occur within 2-3 hours. Survivors sometimes remain ill for months. The venom consists of a mixture of proteins, including hemolytic stonustoxin, neurotoxin and cardioactive cardioleptin. Since the venom is protein based, it can be denatured by applying a very hot compress to the wound site. Some relief may be obtained by treating the wound with a local anesthetic. However, this is only a temporary measure to reduce pain and shock. Health care should be provided as soon as possible. Typically, surviving victims suffer localized nerve damage, sometimes leading to atrophy of the attached muscle tissue. The pain can be so severe that injection victims want to cut off the injured limb.
2. Zebra fish.
Zebra lionfish, or zebra fish, or striped lionfish(lat. Pterois volitans) is a fish of the scorpionfish family. Its luxurious appearance will certainly attract attention, but you should know that sharp and poisonous needles are hidden in the beautiful striped fins. The main food of these sea creatures– crabs, shellfish, small fish. You can meet zebra fish in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Divers warn anyone who wants to touch it unusual creature- this is very dangerous, you risk getting shock, accompanied by convulsions and cardiac dysfunction. They are found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans - off the coast of China, Japan and Australia. Recently, it has become widespread in the coral reefs of the Caribbean coast of Haiti and in the Mona Strait. Are the object of commercial spearfishing, possessing a rather gentle and delicious meat. Poses a threat to the ecosystem Caribbean Sea, destroying many species of coral fish.
3. Sea dragon.
The most poisonous fish on the European continent. You can meet her in the southern part Baltic Sea, as well as in the Black and Japanese Seas. Dragons, small and unremarkable in appearance, like to bury themselves in the sand, leaving only their heads on top. They are quite aggressive and dangerous even for those who swim near the shore. If a person steps on a dragon or decides to take it in his hand, then as a defense, the fish will release its poisonous spines. The entire body except the head is covered with small scales. The spines of the first dorsal fin and the long sharp spine on the gill cover are equipped with poisonous glands. The poison is not fatal to humans, but can cause allergic reactions. The poison is so strong that the dragon remains dangerous even for some time after death. Fish are active at night, burrowing into sand or mud during the day. They feed on small ones bottom fish and crustaceans. Pelagic eggs and larvae
4. Puffer fish
The brown rocktooth, or brown puffer, or brown dog-fish, or ocellated dog-fish, or northern dog-fish (lat. Takifugu rubripes) is a species of marine ray-finned fish from the family of pufferfish of the order pufferfish. Even though it is considered a delicacy in Japan and is very expensive, the average tourist should be very careful when encountering it. When pricked with its needle, the fish releases poison - tetrodotoxin, which can kill a person, because an antidote for it has not yet been found. It is found both on the skin and in the internal organs, so cooking fugu yourself is strictly prohibited. The fish reaches a length of 50 cm and is found at a depth of about 100 meters. Distributed in the south of the Sea of Okhotsk (northern coast of Hokkaido Island), in the western waters of the Japanese Sea (along the mainland coast from Busan to Olga Bay; along the island from the southwestern coast of the island of Honshu to southwestern Sakhalin), the Yellow and East China Seas, along the Pacific coast of Japan from the Volcanic Bay to the island of Kyushu. IN Russian waters The Sea of Japan, where it enters north of Peter the Great Gulf and up to South Sakhalin, is common in the summer.
Fugu fish contains lethal dose tetrodotoxin in internal organs, mainly in the liver and caviar, gall bladder and skin. The liver and caviar of puffer fish should not be eaten at all; other parts of the body should not be eaten after careful special processing. The poison reversibly (can be metabolized) blocks sodium channels of membranes nerve cells, paralyzes muscles and causes respiratory arrest. Currently, there is no antidote; the only way to save a poisoned person is to artificially maintain the respiratory and circulatory systems until the poison wears off. Despite the licensing of fugu cooks, every year a number of people who eat incorrectly prepared food die from poisoning. Currently, it is possible to produce poison-free fugu fish on a large scale. Research has shown that fugu fish is not capable of producing neurotoxin, but only accumulates it in its body. Tetrodotoxin is initially produced by marine bacteria, which are then eaten by a variety of living organisms.
Eating improperly prepared fugu can be life-threatening. Therefore, to prepare fugu in special restaurants, since 1958, Japanese chefs have had to undergo special training and obtain a license. In the past, there was a tradition in Japan according to which, in case of fugu fish poisoning, the cook who prepared the dish had to also eat it (or commit ritual suicide).
For a long period in Japan, it was forbidden to eat fugu and there was even a ban on catching fugu fish. Similar bans are now in effect in some countries in Southeast Asia, however, they are not always effective. So, despite the ban on fugu fish in Thailand since 2002, it can still be purchased in local markets.