How To Tell If Your Sea Bass Has Gone Bad

Sea bass is a delicious, mild white fish that is popular in many cuisines. However, like any fresh fish, it can spoil quickly if not stored and handled properly. Eating spoiled sea bass can cause foodborne illnesses, so it’s important to know how to tell if your sea bass has gone bad. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to determine if your sea bass is still safe to eat.

Check The Smell

The most reliable way to tell if sea bass has spoiled is to smell it. Fresh sea bass should have a mild, briny ocean scent with no sour or ammonia notes. If it smells overly “fishy,” sour, or foul, it’s likely gone bad and should be discarded.

Trust your nose above all else – if it smells off, don’t risk eating it. It’s not worth getting sick over.

Examine The Texture

Press your finger gently into the flesh of the sea bass Fresh fish should spring back and feel firm yet elastic Spoiled sea bass will have mushy, slimy flesh that leaves an indentation when pressed.

The flesh should also hold together well and not fall apart If the fillets are mushy or disintegrating, it’s a sign that bacteria have started breaking the fish down Discard it.

Look At The Color

Fresh sea bass has glossy, pearly white flesh with pinkish undertones As it spoils, the color fades to an unappetizing grayish, milky shade.

Discolored areas, dark spots, or browning around the edges also indicate it’s past its prime. If the skin or flesh look dull and lifeless, do not eat it.

Check The Surface

The skin should look moist but not slimy. A slippery, glossy coating is a clear red flag.

Fresh sea bass also has clear, shiny eyes and vibrant red gills. Cloudy eyes and brownish gills indicate spoiled fish.

Scales should cling tightly to fresh sea bass. If they flake off at the lightest touch, that’s bad news.

Watch For Gaps Between Flesh

Examine the fish closely for any gaps in the segments of flesh. Clean slits between layers are normal, but once bacteria take hold, the spaces widen.

If you see gaps appearing, toss the sea bass out immediately. This is a surefire sign it’s begun decomposing.

Consider The Sell-By Date

The sell-by date on sea bass gives you a good benchmark for maximum freshness.

For raw sea bass in the fridge, use within 1-2 days of the sell-by date. Cooked sea bass stays fresh for 3-4 days past the date.

Frozen sea bass lasts 2-3 months beyond the sell-by date if properly stored at 0°F or below. If in doubt, remember the old adage: “When in doubt, throw it out.”

Know Where To Look For Issues

The belly area near the head and guts spoils most rapidly. Check this part extra closely for early signs of sliminess, discoloration and off odors.

The thicker parts of the fillet will deteriorate slower than the thinner edges and tail. But once one area goes bad, bacteria spread quickly.

Prevent Spoilage

Proper storage is key to keeping sea bass fresh and deliciously edible. Keep raw sea bass on ice or refrigerate immediately after catching or purchasing. Use within 2 days.

Cook fresh sea bass soon after buying for maximum quality and flavor. Refrigerate cooked portions immediately in airtight containers. Eat within 3-4 days.

Freeze for long-term storage. Portion into meal-size fillets, vacuum seal, and freeze at 0° F or below. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.

With sea bass and any fish, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you detect any sour, ammonia, or “off” odors, or see any signs of slime, discoloration, or decomposition, don’t take chances. When in doubt, throw it out. Following these guidelines will ensure your sea bass stays fresh and delicious. Trust your senses, buy high-quality fish, keep it cold, and use proper storage methods to enjoy sea bass at its best.

How to Know When Fish Is Done

FAQ

How do you know if sea bass has gone off?

Now that you know what fresh fish should look and smell like, you’ll be better equipped to sniff out spoiled fish. “If it smells pungently fishy and putrid (and doesn’t make you want to eat it!), trust your nose. Its texture may also become slimy, less firm and more mushy, and it may turn gray. Shine is fine.

What does off sea bass look like?

As a fish goes off, the eyes will dull, the skin and flesh will soften and mark easily. Fillets are harder to tell if they’re fresh, but if you can see the flesh-side, check that there aren’t any gaps forming in the diagonal lines that demarcate it – it’s a sign it’s deteriorating.

Should seabass smell fishy?

Sea bass is a white fleshed firm bodied fish with a mild flavor unless it is not kept cold before cooking and consumption. This is true for almost all fish. When fresh fish are kept cool, they smell like good clean fish, not “fishy” or spoiled.

How long is sea bass good in the fridge?

Raw fish and shellfish should be kept in the refrigerator (40 °F/4.4 °C or less) only 1 or 2 days before cooking or freezing. After cooking, store seafood in the refrigerator 3 to 4 days. Any frozen fish or shellfish will be safe indefinitely; however, the flavor and texture will lessen after lengthy storage.

How do you know if a sea bass is bad?

The best way is to smell and look at the sea bass: signs of bad sea bass are a sour smell, dull color and slimy texture; discard any sea bass with an off smell or appearance. About Our Authors Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here

How long does cooked sea bass last?

Cooked sea bass will usually stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge and 4 months in the freezer. How to tell if raw sea bass is bad? The best way is to smell and look at the sea bass: signs of bad sea bass are a sour smell, dull color and slimy texture; discard any sea bass with an off smell or appearance.

How do you know if fish has gone bad?

In order to tell if fish has gone bad, you’ll need to take into account the sell-by date printed on the packaging, the place the fish has been kept, and the texture and smell of the fish. To avoid food poisoning, it’s best to discard fish once it shows any signs of spoiling. Toss refrigerated raw fish 2 days after the sell-by date.

How do you know if a fish is spoiled?

As fish continues to spoil, its pungent fish smell will grow stronger and stronger. It’s best to discard fish as soon as it starts to smell “off.” Inspect the raw fish for a milky color. Fish meat is typically light pink or white in color, with a thin, clear film of liquid.