Classification and Toxicological Examination of “Fugu” Imported from Formosa

Abstract

“Fugu” imported from Formosa into Fukuoka Airport in 1977 were divided to species, and the flesh was examined for toxicity by mouse bioassay. The results are summarized below.
1) Out of 6 specimens of Lagocephalus lunaris lunaris caught in the South China Sea, 5 were found to be toxic. The values of toxicity of the specimens ranged up to 171.2MU/g, and were estimated to be 39.3MU/g on average.
2) One specimen each of Lagocephalus laevigatus inermis and Lagocephalus lunaris spadiceus caught in the South China Sea were both toxic, giving values as high as 21.5 and 11.8MU/g, respectively. However, all 11 specimens of Lagocephalus lunaris spadiceus caught in the East China Sea and to the north of this area were non-toxic.
3) Both Lagocephalus lunaris lunaris and Lagocephalus lunaris spadiceus showed osteophyma-like swelling of the caudal vertebrae and postclaviculla. Thus, they could not be distinguished in terms of the swelling.
4) The specimens of Lagocephalus lunaris spadiceus were divided into two broad classes based on the color of the backs; one was grayish olive, and the other was dark blue or dark green. The colors may be related to the geographical source of the fish.