Authorities Warn Against Eating Toxic Alligator Gar Eggs After Flood
Over 300 alligator gar escaped from a flooded pond in Chachoengsao province, prompting officials to warn the public not to eat the fish's highly toxic eggs, which can affect the nervous system and heart and may be fatal. Authorities note that the fish, up to three meters long with sharp teeth, can be dangerous if mishandled, but the main risk is consuming the eggs. A Facebook post by Taksin Chaiyasan spread the warning, urging locals to avoid catching and eating the fish to prevent tragedy.
Authorities warn that the eggs of alligator gar are highly toxic, affecting the nervous system and heart, and eating them could be fatal for an entire family. The warning follows the escape of over 300 alligator gar from a pond in Bueng Samae San, Sala Daeng subdistrict, Bang Nam Phriew district, Chachoengsao province, after flooding. The fish, measuring 2–3 meters long with sharp teeth, can be dangerous if mishandled. Officials stress that the eggs are especially poisonous and should not be consumed, noting that Thais often eat fish eggs first because they are tasty. A Facebook user, Taksin Chaiyasan, posted the alert, urging locals not to catch and eat the fish, especially the eggs, to avoid tragedy. He added that while the fish are shy and unlikely to bite like a crocodile, the real danger lies in people catching them for food and mistakenly eating the toxic eggs.
