Ciguatoxic fish in the French West Indies.

An epidemiological study on ciguatera fish poisoning in the French West Indies on St-Barthelemy, St-Martin and Anguilla was conducted in the years 1985-1986-1987 and 1991-1992. A study on the toxicity of coral fish was realized. The toxicity of 700 fish belonging to 57 species was evaluated by bio-assays. 430 mosquito-bio-assays were performed on individual fish (flesh or liver) and 19 on pools (flesh or liver; with 4 to 24 fish). A second group was evaluated on liver by the chick feeding-test (33 individual and 64 on pools with 2 to 24 fish). The results showed that many species are involved in the toxic food chain. At least 25% may have a high level of toxicity, 32.5% are intermediate and 10% are doubtful. Major results concern: (1) high risk species (Caranx bartholomaei, C. lugubris, Lutjanus apodus, L. jocu, Gymnothorax funebris, G. moringa, Mycteroperca venenosa, M. tigris, Epinephelus morio, Sphyraena barracuda); (2) intermediate species (Caranx latus, C. ruber, Lutjanus buccanella); (3) low risk species (Balistes vetula, Haemulon album, Priacantus arenatus, Alphestes afer). Occasionally other species or new species are involved Etelis oculatus, Lutjanus analis, Pristipomoides macrophtalmus, Rhomboplites aurorubens, Haemulon album, Scarus vetula.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)