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How to Choose Fresh Fish?

While trying to buy fish, it is one of the biggest questions that bothers us whether it is fresh or not. No seller would call the fish he sells stale. In fact, some malicious fishermen do not hesitate to sell sardines as anchovies and mackerel as bonito.

How can we choose if the fish is fresh? Let's look at the points we should pay attention to when choosing fish.


  1. Fresh fish scales are hard and firmly adhered to the meat, and do not fall off easily. The scales of stale fish are pale and loose.

  2. The skin of fresh fish is vibrant and shiny. The skin of the stale fish looks pale and lifeless.

  3. The gills of fresh fish are wet and red. The gills of the stale fish begin to dry out and their color fades.

  4. The eyes of fresh fish are lively, bright and protruding. The eyes of the stale fish lose their shine and are drawn inward.

  5. The mouth of the fresh fish is closed and the flesh is firm. As the fish stale, its flesh loosens and its mouth opens.

  6. Fresh fish has a natural fishy and marine scent. As the fish gets stale, it emits an unbearable heavy odor.

  7. When you hold the fresh fish upright from the head with the head down, its tail stands upright because the flesh is tight. Since the meat of the stale fish becomes soft, its tail hangs to one side.

  8. When you press the fresh fish with your finger, the pit formed is immediately restored. The hole formed when you press the stale fish remains as it is.

  9. Since the internal organs of fresh fish do not swell, they sink to the bottom when thrown into water. Stale fish do not sink when thrown into water.


If you pay attention to these items when buying fish, you can easily distinguish fresh fish and eat it healthily.


The scales of fresh fish are tight and their eyes are lively.

The gills of fresh fish become lively and red.

The flesh of fresh fish is firm.

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