[Timezone Detection]
Create Account - Join in Seconds!

User Name: Email Address:
Human Verification

Please enter the six letters or digits that appear in the image opposite.

Don't Eat Reef Fish!


Bookmark and Share
Results 1 to 2 of 2
  1. #1
    jimsflies - Reefkeeper
    Admin/Founder

    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    11,467
    First Name
    Jim

    Default Don't Eat Reef Fish!

    Researchers have identified which areas of the human nervous system are effected by the the tropical disease, called ciguatera. Ciguatera is contracted by eating reef fish and is the world's most common form of non-bacterial food poisoning, affecting 50,000-500,000 people each year.

    Some reef fish contain ciguatoxins which are responsible for the disease. The first recorded incident of ciguatera was in 1774, when British sailors led by Captain James Cook were exploring the coast of Vanuatu and experienced a peculiar type of poisoning after eating fish.

    The most prominent symptom of ciguatera is cold allodynia, a disorder where exposure to cool objects or water causes severe burning pain and electric shock-like sensations. In addition to the burning pain associated with cool temperatures, ciguatera also causes nausea, diarrhea, intense itchiness, and abdominal pain.

    Professor Richard Lewis and Irina Vetter, scientists with the University of Queensland's Institute for Molecular Bioscience, led the research team that examined the effect of ciguatoxins on the body's nervous system. In a detailed study of nerve channels, the team found that ciguatoxins don't directly affect the channels responsible for sensing pain and cold. "We identified the channels in the nervous system that the ciguatoxins act on, which in turn activate the nerves that sense cold and pain," Vetter says.

    "It's the first time anyone has established the molecular and cellular basis of ciguatoxin-induced cold pain and may lead to a treatment for this symptom."

    Read More in EMBO Journal.
    Attached Images Attached Images  
    Last edited by jimsflies; 12-20-2012 at 03:19 PM.

  2. #2
    slapshot - Reefkeeper CR Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Farmington Hills Michigan
    Posts
    724
    Awards Photo of the Month - May 2012 Photo of the Month Photo of the Month Tank of the Month

    Default

    I only eat deep water ocean fish any more. Just too much pollution in fresh water and in shore environments.
    Likes Sir Patrick liked this post

Similar Topics

  1. Reef Aquarium Fish reef fish
    By kane720 in forum Marine Fish
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 10-26-2010, 11:13 PM
  2. New to Reefing reef safe fish
    By redemer123 in forum Basics
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 08-30-2010, 12:55 PM
  3. New to Reefing How many fish for a 90g reef?
    By dberrong in forum Basics
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 12-13-2007, 07:54 PM
  4. Reef Aquarium Fish new fish to the reef tank
    By lReef lKeeper in forum Marine Fish
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-06-2006, 04:25 PM

Tags for this Article

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new articles
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

About CaptiveReefs

    If you are interested in learning about reefkeeping or have a problem with your reef, our reefkeeping community is here to help. Feel free to ask a question or search our site. We have lots of experienced reefkeepers that are willing to provide free reefkeeping advice!

    Besides being a great resource for all levels of reef aquarium hobbyists, CaptiveReefs is a social experience that will enhance your enjoyment of reefkeeping. CaptiveReefs is committed to connecting reefkeepers with the support and information they need to grow beautiful coral reef aquariums.

Information

Connect with Us