The poison found in pufferfish, blowfish, balloon fish, toads, sunfish, porcupine fish, toadfish, globefish, and swellfish is a tetrodotoxin. This is one of the most toxic poisons found in nature. Most ingestions are deliberate because pufferfish are considered an Asian delicacy in some sushi and sashimi. Unless the chef is specially trained to cut the meat in a particular fashion, the dish may contain a large amount of the toxin.
Poisoning is similar to paralytic shellfish poisoning .
Symptoms may progress to paralysis, loss of consciousness, and respiratory failure, and lead to death. The victim may become paralyzed. Artificial respirations may keep the person alive until the victim reaches a hospital's Emergency Department. Rapidly turn the person onto his or her side if vomiting occurs. Medicine is a constantly changing science and not all therapies are clearly established.