| Revision as of 04:29, 4 July 2006 editEmjaycue (talk | contribs)39 edits Edits to add more detail about "gastrointestinal symptoms" and to summarize discussion of same from various online sources.← Previous edit | Revision as of 04:33, 4 July 2006 edit undoEmjaycue (talk | contribs)39 editsmNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| Line 17: | Line 17: | ||
| The escolar is dark brown in colour, growing darker with age until it is quite black. It is a fast-swimming fish with a prominent ] and multiple finlets. It grows up to 2 m in length. | The escolar is dark brown in colour, growing darker with age until it is quite black. It is a fast-swimming fish with a prominent ] and multiple finlets. It grows up to 2 m in length. | ||
| Like its relative the ], ''Ruvettus pretiosus'', the escolar is consumed in several European and Asian countries, as well as in the ]. Neither fish metabolises the wax esters (Gempylotoxin) naturally found in their diet, which causes an oil content in the muscle meat of the fish amounting to 18-21%. These wax esters may rapidly cause gastrointestinal symptoms following consumption; however these effects are usually short lived. The gastrointestinal symptoms, called "keriorrhoea", caused by these wax esters may include oily orange discharge or leakage from the rectum that may smell of mineral oil. The discharge can stain clothing and occur without warning 30 minutes to 36 hours after consuming the fish. The oil may pool in the rectum and cause frequent urges for bowel movements due to its lubricant qualities and may be accidentally discharged by the passing of gas. Symptoms may occur over a period of one or more days. Other symptoms may include stomach cramps and loose bowel movements. Some |
Like its relative the ], ''Ruvettus pretiosus'', the escolar is consumed in several European and Asian countries, as well as in the ]. Neither fish metabolises the wax esters (Gempylotoxin) naturally found in their diet, which causes an oil content in the muscle meat of the fish amounting to 18-21%. These wax esters may rapidly cause gastrointestinal symptoms following consumption; however these effects are usually short lived. The gastrointestinal symptoms, called "keriorrhoea", caused by these wax esters may include oily orange discharge or leakage from the rectum that may smell of mineral oil. The discharge can stain clothing and occur without warning 30 minutes to 36 hours after consuming the fish. The oil may pool in the rectum and cause frequent urges for bowel movements due to its lubricant qualities and may be accidentally discharged by the passing of gas. Symptoms may occur over a period of one or more days. Other symptoms may include stomach cramps and loose bowel movements. Some suggestions for avoiding the ruining of clothing and embarrassment, for both males and females, include use of strategically-placed feminine hygiene products (e.g. panty liners) during the course of symptoms. | ||
| Escolar is sometimes consumed raw as sushi or sashimi. It is also sold as "butterfish" and "oilfish." | Escolar is sometimes consumed raw as sushi or sashimi. It is also sold as "butterfish" and "oilfish." | ||
Revision as of 04:33, 4 July 2006
| Escolar | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Perciformes |
| Family: | Gempylidae |
| Genus: | Lepidocybium Gill, 1862 |
| Species: | L. flavobrunneum |
| Binomial name | |
| Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Smith, 1843) | |
The escolar, Lepidocybium flavobrunneum, is a snake mackerel, the only species in the genus Lepidocybium. It is found in deep (200–885 m) tropical and temperate waters around the world.
The escolar is dark brown in colour, growing darker with age until it is quite black. It is a fast-swimming fish with a prominent lateral keel and multiple finlets. It grows up to 2 m in length.
Like its relative the oilfish, Ruvettus pretiosus, the escolar is consumed in several European and Asian countries, as well as in the USA. Neither fish metabolises the wax esters (Gempylotoxin) naturally found in their diet, which causes an oil content in the muscle meat of the fish amounting to 18-21%. These wax esters may rapidly cause gastrointestinal symptoms following consumption; however these effects are usually short lived. The gastrointestinal symptoms, called "keriorrhoea", caused by these wax esters may include oily orange discharge or leakage from the rectum that may smell of mineral oil. The discharge can stain clothing and occur without warning 30 minutes to 36 hours after consuming the fish. The oil may pool in the rectum and cause frequent urges for bowel movements due to its lubricant qualities and may be accidentally discharged by the passing of gas. Symptoms may occur over a period of one or more days. Other symptoms may include stomach cramps and loose bowel movements. Some suggestions for avoiding the ruining of clothing and embarrassment, for both males and females, include use of strategically-placed feminine hygiene products (e.g. panty liners) during the course of symptoms.
Escolar is sometimes consumed raw as sushi or sashimi. It is also sold as "butterfish" and "oilfish."
References
- Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Lepidocybium flavobrunneum". FishBase. March 2006 version.