Recently, a man from Jiangsu Province bought an octopus at a vegetable market in Sanya City, Hainan Province, which was suspected to be a blue-ringed octopus. The blue-ringed octopus has previously been on the hot topics due to its toxicity.

So, what is blue-ringed octopus? Why is it so poisonous? The reporter interviewed relevant experts about this.

Aquatic science blogger Luo Tengda said in an interview with reporters that blue-ringed octopuses are four species of the genus Leopard octopus (striped leopard octopus, crescent leopard octopus, spotted leopard octopus and niger). Leopard octopus), the first three species are distributed in the waters of my country.

Zheng Xiaodong, a professor at the School of Fisheries, Ocean University of China, said that the blue-ringed octopus is a small octopus and not very big.

Rotenda said that the blue-ringed octopus is a famously poisonous creature and contains tetrodotoxin in its body. Data shows that the blue-ringed octopus releases 0.5 milligrams of toxin, which can cause death from poisoning. Once the toxin enters the human body, it will block the connection between the brain, spinal cord and other nerves in the body, causing people to quickly develop symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, muscle paralysis, general weakness, and difficulty breathing. The entire process may only take a few minutes. What's even more frightening is that this toxin is stable in toxicity and will neither decompose by heat nor be destroyed by salting, and it attacks very quickly.

Since 2023, blue-ringed octopus has appeared in many places in my country. "Currently, there is not much academic research on the blue-ringed octopus distributed in China's waters, and there is no relevant toxicity data. Consumers should be sure to select carefully when buying octopus." Luo Tengda reminded.

Zheng Xiaodong said that the blue-ringed octopus has blue circles, spots or stripes on its body, which is obviously different from the octopus that is usually eaten and is easier to distinguish.

Experts remind you that if you accidentally eat a blue-ringed octopus or are bitten by it, you must call 120 emergency hotline immediately. If the symptoms are mild, chopsticks or tongue depressors can be used to stimulate the pharynx and induce vomiting immediately. If the patient develops diaphragm paralysis and is unable to breathe spontaneously before the doctor arrives, artificial respiration and chest compressions must be performed immediately until the doctor arrives at the scene.