Strange fish that makes anyone who eats it drunk like alcohol

During a visit to the Cat Tien Archaeological National Monument, the reporter was introduced to the monkfish by Mr. Nguyen Van Tien - Deputy Director of the relic site. In particular, Mr. Tien said that if anyone has a weak immune system, eating this type of fish can cause nausea, etc.

A large monkfish about 50cm long was caught in the Dong Nai River.

Let us see with our own eyes the mysterious fish, the closest relative of the grass carp, this type of monkfish has large scales, red fins, a tapered body and a mouth larger than the grass carp. People here said that there were also people who had to be hospitalized after eating this fish because of signs of vomiting and continuous diarrhea, suspected of poisoning.

“When people catch this strange fish in the river, they often release it or give it to someone else. However, the recipients must promise that if anything happens while eating the fish, it will not be related to the donor. That is why the mystery and curiosity about this fish is even greater,” said Mr. Tien.

Monkfish, a mysterious fish species in Dong Nai River that many locals rumored and did not dare to eat.

Mr. Ao Thach Tinh (Quang Ngai commune, Cat Tien district) said that this fish species is also much rarer now. “If you want to eat the fish without getting drunk, you have to carefully cut it open so as not to break its intestines or gallbladder. Then remove the gills, wash it thoroughly, and then use a piece of sour star fruit or lemon to rub off all the black membrane in the fish’s belly. If someone’s resistance is weak, eating the fish meat after about 30 minutes will make them as drunk as if they were drunk,” Mr. Tinh revealed.

Because of this strangeness, recently, Mr. Hoang Duc Huy - lecturer of the Faculty of Biology - Biotechnology, University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh City led a group of interns to this area to study the monkfish species.

According to Mr. Huy's research, this fish species mainly lives in flowing water, and is endemic to the Dong Nai and Mekong rivers. "The area on both sides of the river is often still natural forest, so there is often a type of water plant called Strychnos nux vomica growing. This type of tree will have ripe fruit from June to September every year, when ripe it will have a very fragrant smell, and the monkfish really like to eat this fruit.

When fish eat Strychnos nux vomica fruit, the protein in the fish's body will change, causing a toxin that makes people drunk. However, when the fruit's season is over and the fish stop eating it, their meat will return to its original state. Therefore, whether people get drunk or not depends on the time they eat it," Mr. Duc Huy explained.

Mr. Huy said that the strychnine fruit is the cause of people who eat the monkfish feeling drunk and nauseous as if poisoned.