Biology and Ecology of Toxic Pufferfish

2017 | Medical & Veterinary

This is the first comprehensive book on the biology and ecology of pufferfish, also known as blowfish, swellfish, and globefish. Covering 197 species of pufferfish recorded so far from the marine, brackish, and freshwater ecosystems of the world, this important volume expounds on the toxins and associated poisonings of pufferfish. Importantly, the volume also explores the many uses of pufferfish, such as in aquariums, for their nutritional and culinary value, and for their emerging uses in the treatment of pain. Topics covered include: * biology and ecology of pufferfish * profiles of world's marine, brackish, and freshwater pufferfish species * characteristics of TTX (tetrodotoxin) and STX (saxitoxin) of pufferfish * pufferfish poisoning and symptoms, treatment, and management * aquarium uses of pufferfish * nutritional and pharmaceutical values of pufferfish * diseases and parasites of pufferfish and their management The volume includes over 240 color illustrations. It has been reported that the internal organs of almost all the species of pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, which is 100 times more potent than cyanide, and one pufferfish contains enough toxin to kill 30 adult men.

The muscle portion of some species of pufferfish, which is free of toxin, however, is used to prepare a delicious meal (called fugu in Japan) by specially trained/licensed chefs in China, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea . Further, owing to their beautiful colorations of the body, many species of pufferfish are of great use in freshwater, brackish, and marine aquariums. TTX is also a promising source in the development of new drugs, including drugs that mitigate cancer pain and other pain, without the crippling side-effects of addiction and nausea. This new volume provides a wealth of information on this unique fish and will be a valuable resource for students, scientists, and others in fisheries science, marine biology, aquatic biology, and environmental science, as well as a important resource for pharmaceutical and medical libraries as well.

Ramasamy Santhanam (Author)