Susceptibility of Fish, Crustacean and Mollusk to Tetrodotoxin and Paralytic Shellfish Poison

Abstract

Marine and freshwater fish (20 species), crustaceans (13 species) and mollusks (19 species) were collected around and in Taiwan, and examined for susceptibility to tetrodotoxin (TTX) and paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). The minimum lethal dose (MLD) of both toxins in most fish were estimated to <10MU/20g body weight on intraperitoneal and intramuscular administrations. Crustaceans (shrimps and crabs) showed the same susceptibility to either toxins. In contrast, most mollusks were much less susceptible to both toxins, with MLDs of TTX being >365MU/20g, and those of PSP being >300MU/10g, on intramuscular injection.