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Caution! Zaharon fish are sold at the Talfiot market in Haifa - delicious, but extremely dangerous • A week later - the municipality also warns

(haipo) - A week after we published an article in Hai Pa warning that fish shops in Haifa are offering for sale Zaharon fish that may endanger those who come in contact with them (The article by marine researcher Motti Mendelson from 23/7/23), today (Sun. 30/7/23) The Haifa municipality also issued such a warning notice.


Motti Mendelson's article that was published in Chai Pa on Sunday 23/7/23

"Alia and a sting in it" - this week Zaharon fish were photographed together with other edible fish in the Talfiot market in Haifa, this fish called "Zahron Hador" has invaded our Mediterranean Sea for over a decade and in recent years Zaharon has also arrived on the shores of Haifa.
The hahron fish is a protected fish in Eilat but fishing is allowed in the Mediterranean Sea. The fish is really beautiful, its taste is excellent - it does not fall short of the stingray known as locust. In the US, it is sold in restaurants and is a success in its taste.

Zaharon Chai was thrown to the bathing beach in Haifa (Photo: Motti Mendelson)
Zaharon Chai was thrown to the bathing beach in Haifa (Photo: Motti Mendelson)

Recently, the fish was officially recognized by the rabbinate as kosher fish according to Halacha.
So far for connoisseurs, this is the "Alia".

If so, then where is the thorn?
This fish has extremely long and very poisonous spines!
People who have been bitten by a Zaharon report pains similar in intensity to a snake bite, a feeling of circumcision, vomiting and even paralysis of the limbs.

The handling of this fish requires skillful caution and yes... also small and strong scissors for cutting the spines. From here we call on the fishermen to cut these dangerous spines even before shipping to the markets, so that the fish will arrive for sale without spines, for the sake of sellers and buyers.

Thorns of the Zaharon fish (Photo: Motti Mendelson)
Thorns of the Zaharon fish (Photo: Motti Mendelson)

The fish sellers in Israel are well aware of all the dangers of a fish bite, and they themselves clean the fish before delivering it to the customer, but when it comes to highly poisonous fish, one must avoid sending the fish to the markets with the spines - for the safety of the sellers (mainly) and the buyers, in case a fish is sold with spikes for the innocent buyer.

A very important piece of general information for anyone who catches any poisonous fish on their fishing rod - it is better not to just throw the poisonous spines in the trash, but to make sure that they are protected from human or animal contact.

Zaharon fish are sold at the Talpiot market in Haifa (photo: Chai Pa in the field)
Zaharon fish are sold at the Talpiot market in Haifa (photo: Chai Pa in the field)
The most poisonous spines of the Zaharon fish sold in the Talpiot market in Haifa (photo: Chai Pa in the field)
The most poisonous spines of the Zaharon fish sold in the Talpiot market in Haifa (photo: Chai Pa in the field)

The hazharon venom is active and extremely dangerous even after the death of the fish

For those who think that if the fish is dead it is not satisfactory...wrong. The hazron venom is active about two days after the death of the fish...as time passes - the action of the venom decreases.
For all fishermen who are very likely to come across this fish at some point, after cleaning the fish carefully, chop and bury the spines away from human contact.

In any case of a bite in those dealing with this fish, it is recommended to contact the Institute for Information on Poisoning located on the first floor... of the Rambam Hospital in Haifa.

The haharon fish with the spines spread out (photo: Motti Mendelsohn)
The haharon fish with the spines spread out (photo: Motti Mendelsohn)

There is usually a common superstition that every bite of a fish... venom, for example, urinates on the site of the injury... The truth is that heat destroys and decomposes the protein of which the venom is composed, but it must be remembered that the heat of decomposition is over forty degrees.
In the photos you can see the fish in all its glory... literally on its impressive spines.

Soon fish restaurants will also serve this fish, whose flesh is a delight to the palate, and other kosher fish that are already in our seas and are not well known.
Have an appetite and be careful!


Warning notice from Haifa Municipality - Sunday 30/7/23

Caution - Zaharon!
Following information received by the municipal veterinary service about the sale of Zaharon fish in fish shops, the veterinarians conducted an audit of fish shops in the city.
The doctors explained to the fish store owners the danger inherent in the fish spines and how the danger to public health can be prevented.
The hahron fish is a poisonous fish, where the venom is concentrated in the crown of thorns on the fish's back. A bite and the penetration of the venom causes severe pain, swelling, and even breathing difficulties and death, depending on the sensitivity.
However, the fish is edible.
The public is urged not to touch these fish and to be extremely careful with the instructions of the Ministry of Health and to purchase the fish when it is completely free of spines and fins.

contact: At watsapBy email

Motty Mendelssohn
Motty Mendelssohn
Marine researcher (diving, underwater photography) and marine and environmental ecology for 35 years. Lecturer in the field for about 20 years. You can order a lecture or a series of lectures accompanied by unique and spectacular photos, taken during many years of research, in Israel and abroad • 050-7271157 • [email protected]

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14 תגובות

  1. Moti, thank you very much. Your article is fascinating. Have a good week.

  2. Hello Ali.
    The venom hurts a lot even when it's small, but the warning is a terrible pain and not for a day.

  3. A venomous fish is also painful and I'm weak, it killed me with pain 🤣🤣🤣🤣

  4. Hello Kurdish
    To your question..it is not similar to a land snake bite of course because there is a sea urchin that does not have serum.
    Everyone reacts differently to pain. There is a level for the dangerousness of marine animals. Because the subject is ichthyology. So I will refer to this only about the fish living in the territory of Israel.
    Atrophy causes death.
    A disconcerting mahogany, also in the category.
    Radiating zaharons, generations, radiating, dragons... cause intense pain except for residual tiaras.
    Of all the victims I have talked to over the years, many have said that because of the pain they wanted to amputate the injured limb so...

  5. I didn't understand how people who get bitten know how to compare the pain to a snake bite...????

    • Because those who are bitten by a fish have usually already been bitten by a snake, a scorpion and a worm like that

  6. Eyal Shalom
    You can live in a bright atmosphere, it doesn't change facts,
    And burying your head in the sand is an escape from reality.

  7. The weekly warning of some invasive species.
    The corner should be called 'Which animal will we be afraid of this week'.

    • Ailee the hero, ignorance is not a disease, it can be cured by wisdom.

    • Hafayush Haifaimosh Hamdoshan,
      What's the deal with ignorance?

      It seems that there are many books out there waiting for you to open them

  8. Another interesting article by the marine researcher Motty Mendelson, that in my humble opinion, many do not know the danger involved in touching and eating fish and other marine animals and how to be careful of them. Good luck Levi.

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