Large fish tend to accumulate high levels of natural toxins through their diet and 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. Symptoms of ciguatera poisoning include numbness or tingling of the lips, tongue and throat, itching or skin rashes, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.
Symptoms usually develop within two to six hours after eating.
Travelers with an appetite for fish on the risky list should eat only small portions of large fish or settle for smaller, younger fish. All Rights Reserved.