Are puffer fish invasive species?

This invasive fish is native to the Pacific and Indian Ocean, and to the Red Sea, from where it likely migrated via the Suez Canal and rapidly invaded the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, reaching the western part of the basin.

Where is the puffer fish poison?

The toxin is found on the skin and internal organs of the puffer fish, and is approximately 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide. A lethal dose of tetrodotoxin is smaller than the head of a pin, with one fish containing enough poison to kill 30 people.

Why is there no antidote for puffer fish?

Almost all pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, a substance that makes them foul tasting and often lethal to fish. To humans, tetrodotoxin is deadly, up to 1,200 times more poisonous than cyanide. There is enough toxin in one pufferfish to kill 30 adult humans, and there is no known antidote.

Why is the puffer fish not affected by tetrodotoxin?

Pufferfish are poisonous due to the presence of tetrodotoxin. Several other aquatic animals also contain this toxin, such as the blue-ringed octopus. Tetrodotoxin kills because it can interfere with our nervous systems. It blocks sodium channels, which carry messages between the brain and our muscles.

Is there a cure for puffer fish poison?

There is no known antidote for fugu poison. The standard treatment is to support the respiratory and circulatory systems until the poison is metabolized and excreted by the victim’s body.

How do pufferfish get tetrodotoxin?

TTX is produced primarily by marine bacteria, and pufferfish accumulate TTX via the food chain that begins with these bacteria. Consequently, pufferfish become non-toxic when they are fed TTX-free diets in an environment in which the invasion of TTX-bearing organisms is completely shut off.

What is the toxin in puffer fish?

Puffer fish may contain the potent and deadly toxins tetrodotoxin and/or saxitoxin which can cause severe illness and death. These are central nervous system toxins and are more deadly than cyanide.

What does the puffer fish neurotoxin tetrodotoxin directly inhibit?

Tetrodotoxin is a sodium channel blocker. It inhibits the firing of action potentials in neurons by binding to the voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cell membranes and blocking the passage of sodium ions (responsible for the rising phase of an action potential) into the neuron.

Has anyone ever died from eating puffer fish?

More than 100 people die annually from puffer fish poisoning. Almost all resulting from consuming the world’s most deadly delicacy. Throughout history, thousands have met their demise from fugu poisoning, primarily in Japan and China where it is more readily found in sushi restaurants.