How can you tell if fish is fresh?

We’re always up for a bit of fish. Unfortunately, not all the fish on display at the fishmonger is sea-fresh. There are a few things to look out for when identifying the freshest fish. Not only because spoiled fish can make you seriously ill, but also because fresh fish tastes much better. 

The smell

It may sound strange, but fresh fish doesn’t stink. It smells fresh, briny and only slightly fishy. Do you smell a strong fishy odor? This may be caused by prolonged bacterial activity, and there’s a good chance the fish has been lying there for a while.

The eyes

You can recognize a fresh fish by its round, bulging eyes with shiny black pupils. When the fish has been lying around for a while, the eyes become flatter and develop a dull film. If you see that, you know the fish is no longer fresh. It’s also important that the eyes aren’t stained with blood or look cloudy.

The gills

The gills naturally have a bright, dark-red color. Do they look grayish? Then the fish is probably no longer fresh. Sticky gills are also a bad sign. It’s also important that the fins are still intact.

Feeling hungry? Try preparing your fish one of these ways tonight.

The skin

Fish naturally have a sheen. Many species have a protein-rich layer of slime around their skin; this layer should be shiny and translucent. Take a good look to see whether you can spot this layer. The scales also indicate freshness. The scales should be firmly attached to the fish and should shine nicely too. The skin should also be shiny and taut; the skin of less fresh fish is dull and wrinkled.

The overall appearance

Does your fish meet the conditions above? Then there’s a good chance it’s fresh. Also look at the overall picture; common sense will often get you a long way. Is the fish’s belly swollen, soft or torn? This is usually a bad sign. With steaks and fish fillets, you can recognize dehydration by brown edges, so always pay attention to those too.