How to Choose Fresh Fish: 7 Signs to Check Before Buying

Fresh fish should look, smell and feel fresh before it reaches your kitchen. A few simple checks can help you judge quality more confidently when buying seafood.

1. Check the eyes

For whole fish, the eyes should generally look clear, bright and full rather than deeply sunken or cloudy.

2. Look at the gills

Fresh gills are usually moist and naturally red to pink. Very dull, dry or strongly discoloured gills can be a warning sign.

3. Notice the smell

Fresh seafood should have a clean, mild sea-like smell. A strong sour, ammonia-like or unpleasant odour is a reason to avoid it.

4. Press the flesh gently

The flesh should feel firm and spring back when lightly pressed. Very soft flesh that keeps a deep indentation may indicate loss of freshness.

5. Check the skin and scales

Whole fish should look moist, with skin that still has a natural sheen. Scales should not appear excessively dry or loose.

6. Look at the texture of cuts and fillets

Fish steaks and fillets should look moist and firm, not dried around the edges or excessively watery. The flesh should hold together rather than separating easily.

7. Check how the fish is kept cold

Fresh fish is highly perishable. It should be kept properly chilled during display, transport and storage. Good cold-chain handling matters just as much as appearance.

Buying fresh fish in Mumbai

When shopping for seafood, combine these visual and sensory checks with reliable chilled handling and clear product information. FishyGo focuses on fresh seafood delivery across supported Mumbai and MMR areas.

Next: Explore FishyGo’s fresh seafood catalogue or visit the dedicated Recipes section for cooking inspiration.