07-22-2004, 07:11 PM
[url "javascript: addTag('cool')"][cool][/url][blue]While it is true that barracuda are tasty, it is also true that it can be dangerous to eat the great barracuda of southeastern waters. They are widely known for having concentrations of "ciguatera", a fish toxin, in their flesh. The larger the fish, the greater the concentration.[/blue]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]They accumulate this over several years by eating other reef fishes with minute amounts in their flesh. It gradually builds up in the top predator's flesh and they become deadly to eat.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As far as I know, this has never been a problem with the popular (and smaller) Pacific barracuda, off the California coast. Used to catch and eat a lot of them myself. They are especially good smoked.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I'm betting that the victim of that encounter was not looking at the barracuda as an invited guest for the evening meal.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]They accumulate this over several years by eating other reef fishes with minute amounts in their flesh. It gradually builds up in the top predator's flesh and they become deadly to eat.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]As far as I know, this has never been a problem with the popular (and smaller) Pacific barracuda, off the California coast. Used to catch and eat a lot of them myself. They are especially good smoked.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I'm betting that the victim of that encounter was not looking at the barracuda as an invited guest for the evening meal.[/#0000ff]
[signature]