Fresh or Stale Fish? 6 Tips to Identify Quality Before You Buy

• Check fish eyes: Fresh fish have shiny eyes with clear black pupils; stale fish eyes are cloudy.
• Examine gills: Blood-red gills indicate freshness; brown or pale gills mean the fish is stale. Wash off any smeared blood to verify.
• Smell the fish: Fresh fish have a mild, watery smell. A strong, foul odor or no smell at all (due to chemicals) suggests staleness.
• Test scales: Firmly attached scales are a sign of fresh fish; loose scales indicate staleness.
• Observe skin: Fresh fish skin is shiny and slippery; stale fish skin lacks luster.