There have been several outbreaks of ciguatera fish poisoning among consumers who ate fish harvested in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The FDA has said that groupers, snappers, amberjacks and barracudas represent the most significant health threat.
When these fish feed on other fish that have eaten toxic marine algae, they concentrate the toxins in their tissues. The greatest risk of poisoning for humans comes from the largest fish.
Symptoms of ciguatera poisoning include nausea, vomiting, vertigo and joint pain. In the most serious cases, neurological problems can last for months or even years.