BFAR Warns Public About Deadly Devil Crab Poison Similar to Puffer Fish
BFAR has warned the public about the deadly devil crab poison after a female vlogger passed away from eating it.
Emma Amit, a vlogger, did not know that the devil crab she ate in Barangay Luzviminda, Puerto Princesa City, contained a powerful toxin. She died on February 6, 2026, shortly after consuming it. Her sudden passing shocked many people in the community and online.
According to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources in Palawan, the devil crab, scientifically known as Zosimus aeneus, is commonly found in different parts of Palawan. However, it is strictly prohibited to collect or eat this type of crab because of its dangerous poison.
BFAR explained that people should not be easily attracted to brightly colored sea creatures. While not all colorful crabs are poisonous, many of them carry toxins. If a person is not familiar with the species, it is safer not to eat it.
The devil crab contains tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin, the same harmful substances found in pufferfish and shellfish affected by red tide. These toxins are heat-stable, which means they do not disappear even after cooking.
Symptoms can appear within 10 to 45 minutes after eating the crab. Some people may feel numbness in the lips, dizziness, or weakness. In severe cases, the poison can lead to respiratory failure and even death.
BFAR has distributed information materials in Barangay Luzviminda, where three deaths related to devil crab consumption have already been recorded, to prevent further tragedies.
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Food Vlogger Dies After Eating Toxic “Devil Crab” in Palawan