Ark. family members make mistake of sampling gar eggs, become violently ill from toxin

Ark. family learns the hard way gar eggs are toxic

HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. — Take it from Darwin Aaron and his family in Cleburne County: gar eggs are poisonous. Tiffany Aaron said her husband, Darwin, and brother-in-law, Russell Aaron, took a long-nosed gar while spearfishing at Greers Ferry Lake on April 5. Gar meat is edible, so they figured they’d try the roe.

They prepared the eggs that evening, with Darwin and Russell Aaron eating some, along with Darwin and Tiffany’s 10-year-old son, Carson.

Carson was the first to start vomiting at about 1:30 a.m. Russell and Darwin soon were sick, too.

Tiffany Aaron looked online and read that gar eggs are poisonous.

All three family members recovered after a few days.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said eggs from all gar species are highly toxic.