Description

A toxic marine organism that kills fish via infection and produces at least two toxins. Found to date on the US Atlantic coasts of North Carolina and Maryland. Although there are no known human fatalities, intoxication is purported to cause short-term problems such as confusion, fatigue, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties, and may also cause learning and memory problems. The organism can exist as an amoeba on river bottoms. While these amoeba can be inactive and form cysts, they also can secrete zoospores that feed on underwater algae. The zoospores also can transform into toxic dinoflagellates that infect fish.