Wolfram Sander, reefcolors.com
Info
Lactophrys triqueter is found on coral reefs and rocky reefs, and is seen solitary or in small groups.The Smooth Trunkfish feeds on a wide variety of small bottom invertebrates, f.e. molluscs, crustaceans, worms, sessile tunicates and sponges exposed by a jet of water ejected through the mouth.
When the trunkfish is excited, toxins are released that kill other fishes.
Lactophrys triqueter, also known as smooth or pearl trunkfish, is a resident of the Caribbean, and widespread found in the tropical western Atlantic, from Bermuda to the coast of northeastern Brazil, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.
The smooth trunkfish feeds mainly on crustaceans, worms, mussels, snails, sea squirts and sponges, but also algae and seaweed.
Description: Blackish brown; numerous white, cream or yellow spots; an area on flank with a pale honey-comb pattern; lips and fin bases blackish. Juvenile: black, with white spots.
fishbase: Reports of ciguatera poisoning!
Consuming this animal can trigger the dreaded Ciguatera fish poisoning.
The cause is to be found in certain unicellular organisms (dinoflagellates, such as Gambierdiscus toxicus), which produce toxins in the body of harmless and otherwise well-tolerated food fish, which can lead to various symptoms in humans:
Initial symptoms: Sweating, numbness and burning, especially around the mouth.
This is followed later by chills, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and muscle cramps. Paresthesia (itching, tingling, numbness) on the lips, the mucous membrane of the mouth and especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, numbness in the hands, feet and face.
Paralysis of the skeletal muscles, including the respiratory muscles, dizziness and coordination disorders may occur. Muscle pain, joint pain, headache, toothache, shivering and sweating are further symptoms. A general feeling of weakness develops. Consumption of alcohol aggravates the symptoms.
Less common are life-threatening drops in blood pressure and palpitations (tachycardia) or the opposite. Overall, the condition is very rare, but it leads to death in about 7% of cases.
Attention: An antidote does not exist!
First aid:
As early as possible: Pump out the stomach, if vomiting does not occur by itself
Activated carbon (medical carbon) give to bind the toxins: dosage is 1 g / kg body weight.
Promote excretion: As an acute therapy, the attending physician can give an infusion of 20% mannitol (sugar alcohol). The mechanism of action is unclear. Mannitol promotes urine excretion, so this measure should only be taken after fluid and electrolytes have been supplemented to prevent a circulatory collapse.
Rehydration with fluid and electrolytes is a sensible measure anyway, especially after vomiting and diarrhoea.
In life-threatening situations, plasma expanders should be given, i.e. infusions that increase the volume of the blood and remain in the circulation for a long time.
Cardiovascular symptoms may require further medical intervention: Atropine can be given if the heartbeat slows down, dopamine if the blood pressure drops.
You can find more information here:
http://www.dr-bernhard-peter.de/Apotheke/seite116.htm
Synonyms:
Ostracion triqueter Linnaeus, 1758
Rhinesomus triqueter (Linnaeus, 1758)
When the trunkfish is excited, toxins are released that kill other fishes.
Lactophrys triqueter, also known as smooth or pearl trunkfish, is a resident of the Caribbean, and widespread found in the tropical western Atlantic, from Bermuda to the coast of northeastern Brazil, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.
The smooth trunkfish feeds mainly on crustaceans, worms, mussels, snails, sea squirts and sponges, but also algae and seaweed.
Description: Blackish brown; numerous white, cream or yellow spots; an area on flank with a pale honey-comb pattern; lips and fin bases blackish. Juvenile: black, with white spots.
fishbase: Reports of ciguatera poisoning!
Consuming this animal can trigger the dreaded Ciguatera fish poisoning.
The cause is to be found in certain unicellular organisms (dinoflagellates, such as Gambierdiscus toxicus), which produce toxins in the body of harmless and otherwise well-tolerated food fish, which can lead to various symptoms in humans:
Initial symptoms: Sweating, numbness and burning, especially around the mouth.
This is followed later by chills, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and muscle cramps. Paresthesia (itching, tingling, numbness) on the lips, the mucous membrane of the mouth and especially on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, numbness in the hands, feet and face.
Paralysis of the skeletal muscles, including the respiratory muscles, dizziness and coordination disorders may occur. Muscle pain, joint pain, headache, toothache, shivering and sweating are further symptoms. A general feeling of weakness develops. Consumption of alcohol aggravates the symptoms.
Less common are life-threatening drops in blood pressure and palpitations (tachycardia) or the opposite. Overall, the condition is very rare, but it leads to death in about 7% of cases.
Attention: An antidote does not exist!
First aid:
As early as possible: Pump out the stomach, if vomiting does not occur by itself
Activated carbon (medical carbon) give to bind the toxins: dosage is 1 g / kg body weight.
Promote excretion: As an acute therapy, the attending physician can give an infusion of 20% mannitol (sugar alcohol). The mechanism of action is unclear. Mannitol promotes urine excretion, so this measure should only be taken after fluid and electrolytes have been supplemented to prevent a circulatory collapse.
Rehydration with fluid and electrolytes is a sensible measure anyway, especially after vomiting and diarrhoea.
In life-threatening situations, plasma expanders should be given, i.e. infusions that increase the volume of the blood and remain in the circulation for a long time.
Cardiovascular symptoms may require further medical intervention: Atropine can be given if the heartbeat slows down, dopamine if the blood pressure drops.
You can find more information here:
http://www.dr-bernhard-peter.de/Apotheke/seite116.htm
Synonyms:
Ostracion triqueter Linnaeus, 1758
Rhinesomus triqueter (Linnaeus, 1758)
