Does fish have mercury in it?

Question

Why did my fish taste like dirt?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Fish tasting like dirt has nothing to do with it having mercury in it. Fish may contain mercury. The farther up the food chain they are, the greater the likelihood that they eat other fish for their food. Fish that eat other fish that eat other fish are going to have even greater concentrations of mercury. Fish that eat very little fish, and mostly algae or other greens in the water, have lower concentrations of mercury.

As for your fish tasting like dirt, some people complain that they find catfish or other bottom feeders that way. Maybe it's a result of the minerals in their flesh. It's not because the fish wasn't cleaned properly. Some people also feel that beets taste like dirt. It may have to do with a sensitivity to one organic compound.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

I'm not sure what type of fish it was as I didn't catch or clean it.
I tried another piece of the same type of fish, and it tasted just fine to me. I guess it was just that one stinkin fish.
Thanks for the info about bottom feeders. That's good to know information.

Answer 2

Some fish are at higher risks of containing Mercury.

Tuna is a well known one. Which isn't too say all tuna has mercury. Most of whats in fish is in such small amounts that it can't do much harm. You have to eat quite a few fish for any harm to be done.

I grew up in Upstate NY so I know all to well about Mercury. Onondaga is so filled with Mercury you can't eat ANY fish from it, nor are you allowed to swim in it.

A rule of thumb growing up was never to eat more than 3 fish a week.