MARINE ANIMALS THAT ARE POISONOUS TO EAT 



131 



samples of the viscera and flesh to cats or dogs, and observing the 

 animal for the developments of toxic symptoms. The viscera — 

 liver and intestines — of tropical marine fishes should never be 

 eaten. Also, the roe of most marine fishes is potentially dangerous, 

 and 'in some cases may produce rapid death. Fishes which are un- 

 usually large for their size should be eaten with caution. This is 

 particularly true for barracuda (Sphyraena), jacks (Caranx), and 

 grouper (Epinephelus) during their reproductive seasons. 



Fig. 84. Top: Seabass, Variola louti (Forskal). (From Hiyama) Bottom 

 Barracuda, Sphyraena barracuda (Walbaum). (From Hiyama) 



If one is living under survival conditions, and questionable fishes 

 must be eaten, it is advisable to cut the fish into thin fillets and to 

 soak them in several changes of water — fresh or salt — for at least 

 30 minutes. (Do not use the rinse water for cooking purposes.) 

 This will serve to leach out the poison which is somewhat water 

 soluble. If a questionable species is cooked by boiling, the water 

 should always be discarded. It must be emphasized that ordinary 

 cooking procedures do not destroy or significantly weaken the 

 poison. The advice of native people on eating tropical marine fishes 

 is frequently conflicting and erroneous, particularly if they have not 

 lived within a particular region over a period of time. Keep in mind 

 that an edible fish in one region may kill you in another. 



Fig. 83. Top to bottom: Parrotfish, Scarus microrhinos Bleeker. (From 



Hiyama) Seabass or Grouper, Cephalopholis argus Bloch and Schneider. 



(From Hiyama) Seabass, Plectropomus oligacanthus Bleeker. (From Hiyama) 



Seabass, Plectropomus truncatus (Fowler). (From Hiyama) 



