Ostracitoxin
Encyclopedia
When under stress, a boxfish
(family Ostraciidae) will release the Ostracitoxin toxin (see: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/146/3641/244). It is an ichthyotoxic, hemolytic, nonprotein (which is apparently unusual, although similar to Tetrodotoxin
in this way) poison in the mucous secretions of their skin. This is a heat-stable and nondialyzable; that is foamed in aqueous solutions and is toxic to various biological systems. It is unique among known fish poisons. It is toxic to other boxfish as well and looks like red tide and sea cucumber toxins in general properties. Although it is not recommended, it is a growing fancy to keep boxfish in a home aquarium. Members of the family Ostraciidae secrete an ichthyotoxic mucus from their skin when stressed or disturbed.
The boxfish must be alive to synthesize its bodily chemicals into the toxin, therefore it cannot release its toxin after it dies. It may, however, have residual toxin if it were in the process of releasing toxin when it died.
Boxfish
Ostraciidae is a family of squared, bony fish belonging to the order Tetraodontiformes, closely related to the pufferfishes and filefishes. Fish in the family are known variously as boxfishes, cofferfishes, cowfishes and trunkfishes...
(family Ostraciidae) will release the Ostracitoxin toxin (see: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/146/3641/244). It is an ichthyotoxic, hemolytic, nonprotein (which is apparently unusual, although similar to Tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin
Tetrodotoxin, also known as "tetrodox" and frequently abbreviated as TTX, sometimes colloquially referred to as "zombie powder" by those who practice Vodou, is a potent neurotoxin with no known antidote. There have been successful tests of a possible antidote in mice, but further tests must be...
in this way) poison in the mucous secretions of their skin. This is a heat-stable and nondialyzable; that is foamed in aqueous solutions and is toxic to various biological systems. It is unique among known fish poisons. It is toxic to other boxfish as well and looks like red tide and sea cucumber toxins in general properties. Although it is not recommended, it is a growing fancy to keep boxfish in a home aquarium. Members of the family Ostraciidae secrete an ichthyotoxic mucus from their skin when stressed or disturbed.
The boxfish must be alive to synthesize its bodily chemicals into the toxin, therefore it cannot release its toxin after it dies. It may, however, have residual toxin if it were in the process of releasing toxin when it died.