Ciguatera toxin is commonly found in which fish?

Ciguatera toxin is a naturally occurring toxin that originates from certain marine algae and can accumulate in the tissues of larger reef fish that consume these algae. Amberjack, a type of fish commonly found in warmer coastal waters, is known to be susceptible to ciguatera poisoning because it is a predator fish that eats smaller fish and is often part of the food chain that includes toxin-producing algae.

Amberjack is associated with ciguatera because it resides in the specific habitats where the toxin-producing dinoflagellates flourish. When humans consume amberjack that has accumulated the ciguatera toxin, it can lead to ciguatera fish poisoning, which is characterized by gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms.

In contrast, fish like salmon, tuna, and trout typically do not accumulate ciguatera toxin, as they inhabit different ecological niches or are not part of the specific pathways that lead to the accumulation of the toxin. Therefore, the connection between amberjack and ciguatera toxin is crucial for understanding the risks associated with certain seafood consumption.