The Unexpected Sign Your Fish Has Gone Bad That You Shouldn't Ignore - Tasting Table

"Did you know that over three billion people in the world eat seafood? Whether that's a tuna salad, a Filet-O-Fish sandwich, or a whole Branzino for dinner, there are plenty of people out there enjoying fish regularly. One of the things that holds some people back from eating fish is that they are not confident in their ability to tell how fresh it is. Luckily, there are signs that your fish has gone bad and shouldn't be eaten."

"In fish that is still fresh, the bones should be firmly affixed to the meat. If you can pull the spine away easily, that's a warning sign. The spine in fresh fish should be firm and break if you try to pull it out. As fish ages, the surrounding flesh dries out and loses elasticity, allowing the bones to pull away with little effort."

Over three billion people eat seafood worldwide, yet many consumers lack confidence in judging freshness. Fresh fish bones should be firmly affixed to the meat, and the spine should be firm and resistant to removal; an easily pulled spine signals spoilage. As fish ages, surrounding flesh dries and loses elasticity, allowing bones to detach with little effort. Thin rib or pin bones should offer some resistance when removed. Fresh fish spoils faster than many meats and typically remains safe in refrigeration for only one to two days. Smell and appearance can mislead the unfamiliar, so checking bones and flesh along the spine helps assess freshness.

Read at Tasting Table