BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines – Fisherfolk in Cagayan have been warned of a poisonous fish species, which has claimed the life of a nine-year-old girl in a coastal community.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) identified the fish species as shadow goby, locally known as langen-langen or bunog, which usually thrives in shallow water such as coral reefs, mangrove swamps and seagrass meadows.
Dr. Jovita Ayson, BFAR Cagayan Valley director, made the warning in the wake of reports that Rovelyn Garcia, a Grade 2 pupil in the coastal town of Buguey, died of poisoning after eating the fish earlier this week.
Reports said Garcia’s parents, two sisters aged 13 and 15, and 70-year-old grandmother who also partook of the fish were hospitalized.
BFAR said the shadow goby is as deadly as puffer fish or butete.