Bigger is Not Always Better

"Beware of the big fish" can be a warning for diners - especially in the Caribbean and South Pacific.

Eating large fish that have accumulated high levels of natural toxins through their diet can cause ciguatera poisoning in humans. Big carnivorous fish that live near coral reefs are particularly risky. These include barracuda, grouper, mackerel, mullet, red snapper and sea bass.

"Reputable restaurants are likely to screen their fish selection, but if you're catching your own fish, be forewarned that contaminated fish look, smell and taste normal, and cooking does not destroy the toxins," says Dr. Wayne J. Riley, director of the Travel Medicine Service at Baylor College of Medicine.

Symptoms of ciguatera poisoning include numbness or tingling of the lips, tongue and throat, itching or skin rashes, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. They usually develop within two to six hours after eating. "You should see a physician as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis and treat the illness," Dr. Riley says, "because severe cases can result in fatal respiratory paralysis."

Travelers with an appetite for fish on the risky list should eat only small portions of large fish or settle for smaller, younger fish. "And don't eat the head or internal organs, because they retain more toxins," Dr. Riley says.

- From Baylor College of Medicine

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Courtesy of Texas Medical Center News

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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