Ichthyoallyeinotoxism, or

hallucinogenic fish Several species of fish are claimed to produce hallucinogenic effects when consumed. For example, ''Sarpa salpa'', a species of sea bream, is commonly claimed to be hallucinogenic. These widely distributed coastal fish are normally found in t ...

inebriation, comes from eating certain species of fish found in several parts of the tropics, the effects of which are reputed to be similar in some aspects to

LSD Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), also known colloquially as acid, is a potent psychedelic drug. Effects typically include intensified thoughts, emotions, and sensory perception. At sufficiently high dosages LSD manifests primarily mental, vi ...

. Experiences may include vivid auditory and visual hallucinations. This has given rise to the collective common name "dream fish" for ichthyoallyeinotoxic fish. The species most commonly claimed to be capable of producing this kind of toxicity include several species from the genus ''

Kyphosus ''Kyphosus'' is a genus of sea chubs native to the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. It is the only genus in the subfamily Kyphosinae of the family Kyphosidae. Species There are currently 16 recognized species in this genus: * '' Kyphosus an ...

'', including ''Kyphosus fuscus'', ''K. cinerascens'' and ''K. vaigiensis''. It is unclear whether the toxins are produced by the fish themselves or by marine algae in their diet, but a dietary origin may be more likely. ''

Sarpa salpa ''Sarpa salpa'', known commonly as the dreamfish, salema, salema porgy, cow bream or goldline, is a species of sea bream, recognisable by the golden stripes that run down the length of its body, and which can cause ichthyoallyeinotoxism when ea ...

'', a species of

bream Bream ( ) are species of freshwater and marine fish belonging to a variety of genera including '' Abramis'' (e.g., ''A. brama'', the common bream), '' Acanthopagrus'', ''Argyrops'', '' Blicca'', '' Brama'', '' Chilotilapia'', ''Etelis'', '' L ...

, can induce

-like hallucinations if it is eaten. These widely distributed

coastal fish Coastal fish, also called inshore fish or neritic fish, inhabit the sea between the shoreline and the edge of the continental shelf. Since the continental shelf is usually less than deep, it follows that pelagic coastal fish are generally epi ...

are called "the fish that make dreams" in

Arabic Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C. E.Watson; Walter ...

. In 2006, two men who ate fish, apparently the ''

'' caught in the Mediterranean, were affected by ichthyoallyeinotoxism and experienced hallucinations lasting for several days. Other hallucinogenic fish are '' Siganus spinus'', called "the fish that inebriates" in

Reunion Island Reunion may refer to: * Class reunion * Family reunion Reunion, Réunion, Re-union, Reunions or The Reunion may also refer to: Places * Réunion, a French overseas department and island in the Indian Ocean * Reunion, Commerce City, Colorado, ...

, and '' Mulloides flavolineatus'' (formerly ''Mulloidichthys samoensis''), called "the chief of ghosts" in

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state ...

References

{{Poisoning and toxicity Toxic effect of noxious substances eaten as food Adverse effects of psychoactive drugs

See also

References