Ciguatoxin is associated with a type of seafood poisoning that occurs when people eat fish contaminated with toxic single-celled marine organisms known as dinoflagellates, or fish that have ingested other toxic fish. When these fish are consumed, individuals may experience ciguatera, a condition that leads to a variety of symptoms.Ciguatera can result in gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, as well as neuromuscular complications like tingling around the lips, unusual skin sensations, temperature sensitivity reversal, lack of muscle coordination, weakness, numbness, muscle pain, and itching. Respiratory problems may also arise. Symptoms typically appear soon after eating contaminated fish and can persist or reoccur for up to six months. While fatalities are rare, they can occur.Fish carrying ciguatoxin are often found in regions such as the southeastern United States, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Hawaii, and other tropical and subtropical areas around the world, including the central Pacific and northern Australia. Species like barracuda, amberjack, horse-eye jack, black jack, other large jacks, king mackerel, large groupers, and snappers are especially prone to contain ciguatoxin, though many other large predatory fish may also be affected.
