How do you know when fish has gone bad?

sophlowe45

How do you know if fish has gone bad? If its still before the use by date.

Is it normal if the fish smells a little?

This is one of the reasons I don't like buying fish, its simple to cook, 3 minutes in the microwave, but I am really struggling with how to know if it has gone bad or is still ok. I usually buy salmon, but have been trying to buy a few other varieties too.

RHYSDAD

Your nose should be able to tell:

Fish smell = fine.
Manky fish smell = probably not!

Edwardia

If fish is really off, it smells like ammonia, a really powerful stink.

If you can smell the fish on the fish counter from several metres away, I'd strongly suggest not buying it as it's on the way out. Morrisons has a fantastic range of fish but I've found that the fish counter smells and the fish goes off quicker than any other supermarket, which is a big shame.

Steve059

This looks like a job for the good old MSE OS 'sniff test'.

1. Open the packet.
2. Sniff the contents.
3. If you don't pass out, use them.
4. If you do pass out, throw them away when you come round.

sophlowe45

What about when fish has just gone bad?

Not when it is really off, but just about to go off. Thats the stage I am concerned about, my neighbour for example, will not eat fish she has in the fridge on its last day, she will throw it out.

And I have opened packets of fish on their last day and wondered whether they were still ok or not. As the smell is not so strong but still doesn't smell ok to me.

Sushi grade fish for example, does not smell at all.

I did buy a reduced price fish once from a supermarket, but when I got home and opened the packet it smelt really bad, so that was clearly bad, but its the just about to go / just gone bad stage I have problems with.

HappyMJ

sophlowe45 wrote: »

What about when fish has just gone bad?

Not when it is really off, but just about to go off. Thats the stage I am concerned about, my neighbour for example, will not eat fish she has in the fridge on its last day, she will throw it out.

And I have opened packets of fish on their last day and wondered whether they were still ok or not. As the smell is not so strong but still doesn't smell ok to me.

Sushi grade fish for example, does not smell at all.

I did buy a reduced price fish once from a supermarket, but when I got home and opened the packet it smelt really bad, so that was clearly bad, but its the just about to go / just gone bad stage I have problems with.

I let my cat have a sniff...if she walks off it's bad. If she jumps on me scratching and biting me to get it then it's fine.

So long as you cook it well it'll be OK. Personally I always buy fresh fish and freeze it. Or I'll just buy frozen (at sea) in the first place. Fish is fine if frozen. Most of the fish on sale probably has been frozen at sea first anyway.

lindseykim13

Well most of our fish is bought reduced on its last day to be honest and I've only ever had one lot that was off. You can tell when you are about to cook it as it smells awfull/weird not just a bit fishy.
If your still not sure and go on to cook it you will know as soon as you do a little taste test as it will taste off too. Bit like when you taste your milk is going off in your tea-you just know.

Edit to add-if I had a neighbour like that I'd get them to pass it my way.

stephen77

if its got the head attached. Look at the eyes. the more blood shot the eyes the less fresh the fish is.

Edwardia

I assumed we were talking about fillets but yep look at the eyes and if sunken def not fresh.

sophlowe45

Yes fillets or a salmon side.

I wouldn't know how to cut and fillet a fish with its head etc still intact. I have watched a few youtube videos but actually doing it myself...

Thank you for all the replies.

ash28

sophlowe45 wrote: »

How do you know if fish has gone bad? If its still before the use by date.

Is it normal if the fish smells a little?

This is one of the reasons I don't like buying fish, its simple to cook, 3 minutes in the microwave, but I am really struggling with how to know if it has gone bad or is still ok. I usually buy salmon, but have been trying to buy a few other varieties too.

If it's whole fish - bright, clear eyes and shiny skin....should smell very little - maybe a bit briny...if it smells "fishy" or pungent it's past it's best

Fillets - if the fillets have skin it should look shiny and a bit metallic...flesh should be quite firm and plump and look moist....if you poke it with your finger it shouldn't leave an indentation, if it does it's usually past it's best. No pungent smell. And if there's liquid on the fish it should be clear and not milky.

Fish fades as it ages - so bright and shiny is best.