Once your fish is dead, you’ll have to make the decision of whether or not to throw it away. In most cases, you’ll need to consider how long it will take for decomposition to occur and whether or not there is enough space in your trash can for the amount of raw food you’ll need to get rid of.
Many people believe that dead fish should never be thrown away as it’s an insult to the sea. However, we have to be practical and consider the fact that this type of seafood is often on people’s dinner tables, and there’s probably not enough room in your local trash cans to accommodate all the fish that will decompose after you throw it away. This article will tell you how long it takes for dead fish to decompose so you’ll know whether or not you should just leave it in the ocean.
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Decomposition Process
In most cases, fish will start decomposing after the person who caught it has had the opportunity to eat it. This is usually within a couple of days of the fish being killed. Sometimes, it can take a little longer depending on the type of fish, how it was killed, and how well it was stored prior to being eaten. The decomposition process is fairly simple and can be broken down into five steps.
- Blood Starts To Separate From Flesh
- Skin Begins To Turn Black
- Tendons And Viscera Start To Rot
- Muscle At The Tops Of The Fish Starts To Break Down
- Bones And Scales Break Down Further Into Powder
- Oxygen Is Released As The Process Progresses
As the decomposition process begins, the first sign that you’re dealing with a dead fish is the blood that starts to separate from the flesh. This is usually within a couple of days of the fish being killed, but it can take longer in a hotter climate or if the fish was previously frozen. Sometimes, there will be no signs of decomposition for a week or more in a cooler climate, but in a hotter one, this process can occur much more quickly. If you’re not sure whether or not the fish is actually dead, you may need to contact a professional to take a look at it.
How Long Does It Take For Fish To Decompose?
Depending on the size of the fish, the decomposition process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. The larger the fish, the longer it will take for decomposition to occur. In most cases, you’ll know when decomposition is complete by looking for the signs listed above. In some instances, you may need to cut open the fish to confirm that the decomposition process is finished. In the meantime, you’ve got plenty of opportunity to enjoy the fish you and your family gathered, and if you plan on eating it, you may need to get rid of the rest once you know it’s decomposed. Otherwise, you’ll just be throwing away good food that could have gone bad!
Are There Any Special Procedures For Throwing Away A Fish?
There are a few things you should keep in mind if you decide to throw away a fish. For starters, make sure there aren’t any signs of life remaining in the animal, and if there are, continue checking for these signs until you’re certain that the process is finished. Also, don’t throw any fish with broken shells or skeletons in it away as these are signs that the fish was already dead when it was caught, and there’s no need to continue the decomposition process. Once you’ve identified these signs, it’s time to get rid of the animal that can no longer provide you with any benefit.
How To Store Fish For Later Use?
Depending on the size of the fish, you may need to store it in the refrigerator or freezer to keep it fresh. Freezing will halt the decomposition process so you won’t need to worry about it for quite some time. If you choose to store the fish in the freezer, you can take it out and allow it to defrost before eating it. This may be convenient if you think that the fish will be thrown away soon anyway and you don’t want to bother with the decomposition process. Defrosting the fish in the refrigerator will also work but there’s no guarantee that it will stay fresh for the entire duration. If you think that there’s a chance the fish you have may go bad, it’s probably best to just leave it in the freezer.
When Is It Safe To Eat Fish?
Once you know for sure that the decomposition process is complete, it’s time to start thinking about eating the fish you have. In most cases, you can start feeling safe to eat it as soon as three weeks have passed since the animal was killed. This is typically the time at which the flesh matures and begins to taste the same as the original fish. If you’ve stored it properly in the freezer or refrigerator, the texture should remain the same as that of the raw fish you caught. If you’ve cut open the fish to confirm it was decomposed, then you can be sure that the flesh is safe to eat and will never go bad.
In some instances, especially if you’re not a professional, it may not be safe to eat the fish at all. If the head is attached, it may be a sign that toxins have accumulated in the body during decomposition. In these cases, it may be best to remove the head and discard it before eating the rest. Sometimes, a little liquid will accumulate at the base of the fish’s fins, and in cases where there is blood in it, then this fish is unsafe to eat. You may also want to avoid eating the fish if it has already begun to decompose as it may be contaminated by bacteria that cause illness.
Final Say
Once you’re sure that the decomposition process is complete, it’s time to start thinking about what to do with the animal that can no longer provide you with any benefits. In most cases, you’ll need to think about how much space you have in your trash can and whether or not you’ll need to hire a professional to remove it. There are plenty of instances where people decide to keep fish that have gone through decomposition as a part of their seafood collection even though it’s not safe to eat them. This is usually because they feel that having a piece of art on their wall is worth the risk of ingesting bacteria. If you decide to do the same, then make sure that you thoroughly wash your hands before and after handling the fish to avoid any risk of illness. Also, be sure to wear gloves when handling the dead animal to avoid any contamination.
Depending on the size of the fish, it may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for it to decompose. If you want to be certain that it’s safe to eat, then you should assume that three weeks have passed since the animal was killed and discard it if there’s still meat on its bones. Otherwise, it’s better to just leave it in the freezer until it defrosts and then eat it. Also, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling the fish to avoid any risk of illness. If you decide to store it in the freezer, then take it out and allow it to defrost before eating it. This may be convenient if you think that the fish will be thrown away soon anyway and you don’t want to bother with the decomposition process. Defrosting the fish in the refrigerator will also work but there’s no guarantee that it will stay fresh for the entire duration. If you think that there’s a chance the fish you have may go bad, it’s probably best to just leave it in the freezer.