Dangerous Fish: Some Varieties Can Be Fatal

• Pufferfish (Fugu) is extremely toxic due to tetrodotoxin; its preparation requires highly trained chefs as a small error can be fatal with no antidote.
• Salema Porgy (Dreamfish) can cause LSD-like hallucinations, especially when consuming its head, due to toxins from algae consumed by the fish.
• Ciguatoxin, a neurotoxin, is found in coral reef fish (e.g., barracuda, snapper), accumulating through the food chain from algae; climate change increases this risk.
• Large predatory and oily fish (e.g., King Mackerel, Swordfish, Shark) accumulate high levels of mercury, a neurotoxin harmful to the brain and nervous system, particularly for pregnant women and children.

Why It Matters: Beware: some fish contain deadly toxins, risking severe illness or death.