17 replies to this topic

[fishon]

white and yellow perch are in my opinion best eatin fresh water fish in nova scotia, gotta get them early in the year before the water warms up they tend to get wormy

Are the worms in the flesh or the gut? I don't recall ever seeing them.

[trutta]

I know small mouth get flesh worms, kept a few for a feed some years back and they were loaded with over a dozen in each fillet. Have seen them in Brown trout as well. Just put your fillets on a piece of glass with a light under it and flick them out with your fillet knife. Won't hurt anything but I didn't tell my family who enjoyed them as fish and chips.

[jsawler]

i'm surprised by this . i've found tape worms in blue bills , but not freshwater fish. kinda makes sense though i guess. didn't think it would be that common.food for thought for me i guess.lol

[Deon2005]

Also found worms on the livers of some big mackreal i caught this saturday first time i saw them there. I Knew the cod around here was loaded with worms and so are the smelt in oyster pond during winter. are there any fish left that are not infected? also has a buddy say he saw them in the flesh of stripers as well.

[Terran]

Hey Guys,

Here's a link to An Anglers Guide to Fish Diseases.

It is an American site, but most of the diseases and parasites are common. It may help identify any "guck" you run into.

Warning: If you look at this site, you may never eat fish again.

Terran

[pmorris]

Hey Guys,

Here's a link to An Anglers Guide to Fish Diseases.

It is an American site, but most of the diseases and parasites are common. It may help identify any "guck" you run into.

Warning: If you look at this site, you may never eat fish again.

Terran

Thanks for the link as it's a topic I wanted to investigate. It confirms my assumption that diseases and parasites are harmless to humans if the fish is properly-prepared. In other words, cook the thing and you'll kill the "nasties". My bigger concern has always been other toxins (e.g., mercury, heavy metals, etc.) that you can't get rid of.

Paul

[basindawg]

Thanks for the link as it's a topic I wanted to investigate. It confirms my assumption that diseases and parasites are harmless to humans if the fish is properly-prepared. In other words, cook the thing and you'll kill the "nasties". My bigger concern has always been other toxins (e.g., mercury, heavy metals, etc.) that you can't get rid of.

Paul

So don't have any freshwater sushi ! fry em buggers good!

[Stradicman]

Also found worms on the livers of some big mackreal i caught this saturday first time i saw them there. I Knew the cod around here was loaded with worms and so are the smelt in oyster pond during winter. are there any fish left that are not infected? also has a buddy say he saw them in the flesh of stripers as well.

I don't like hearing that as mackerel were the only fish that i never found worm's in yet.I stopped eating trout in the earlly 90's because the sea trout in east river were full of tape worms,pin worms and other nasty thing's but i guess it was good for the trout though as that got me into catch and release only for trout but i loved eating mackerel and so far i had a few feed's from pictou wharf and all's been good with tinkers.

[basindawg]

I don't like hearing that as mackerel were the only fish that i never found worm's in yet.I stopped eating trout in the earlly 90's because the sea trout in east river were full of tape worms,pin worms and other nasty thing's but i guess it was good for the trout though as that got me into catch and release only for trout but i loved eating mackerel and so far i had a few feed's from pictou wharf and all's been good with tinkers.

If we really knew what is in our food we'd probably quit eating. The only thing worse than biting into an apple and finding a worm is biting into an apple and finding half a worm. Lots of meat can have worms and other parasites, my youngest son worked in a fish plant in NFLD candling cod and picking worms out. Just glad I'm not a sushi eater.

[jsawler]

moral to the story is......cook your food!

later, jonathan

[basindawg]

moral to the story is......cook your food!

later, jonathan

Yep, I am long winded !

[jsawler]

sorry basin dog , not trying to be rude just comedic!

later, jonathan

[basindawg]

sorry basin dog , not trying to be rude just comedic!

later, jonathan

My friend you couldn't hurt my feelins if you took em out and beat em with a stick! I didn't take your post as being rude, witty and comical but not rude. I make myself fair game just for the because of it. Bring it on!!!!!!!

[Terran]

Thanks for the link as it's a topic I wanted to investigate. It confirms my assumption that diseases and parasites are harmless to humans if the fish is properly-prepared. In other words, cook the thing and you'll kill the "nasties". My bigger concern has always been other toxins (e.g., mercury, heavy metals, etc.) that you can't get rid of.

Paul

Hey Paul,

As you state, heavy metals are a big concern in fish tissue. These accumulated hazards are especially of concern for those who eat a diet with a large fish component.

Here is a link to a study published in "Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences" on Fish tissue metals and zooplankton assemblages of northeastern U.S. lakes. (Click on the PDF link for the full paper)

Here is a link describing some of the heavy metals in the environment and their effect, strangley enough the link is to a water treatment company: Heavy Metals-Lenntech

Here is a link to EHow Health listing different fish from high to low levels: Levels of Heavy Metals in Fish

You may also wish to examine this list of commercial fish and shellfish containing Methylmercury, prepared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It lists from highest levels to lowest, most commercial fishes that you might encounter (including Atlantic Mackerel). Check out: Mercury Levels in Commercial Fish and Shellfish - FDA

I think that it's safe to say, that small amounts of fish in you diet would not be harmful (unless you are pregnant - not "you" Paul). Certainly, as consumption increases, the risk grows, and certain types of fish are obviously more of concern than others. Fish also contain essential fatty acids (i.e. Omega 3) that is beneficial. The key word here, I guess, is moderation and choosing your fish carefully.

Hope this answers some of your questions, Paul.

Terran

[saywutnow]

Those worms are a parasite that are common in yellow perch. Its not a local thing either. I moved here from southern ontario, and its there too. Found them like that in Lake Erie and the Ottawa river east of North Bay.

[gould]

The worms found in Fish are usually in the meat. They are not harmfull if eaten as long as they are cooked well. There just extra protein. Usually fish will get wormy if there in warmer water for an extended period of time.

P.s. Whats an average sized perch here. I am used to limmits of 2 lb perch fishing Lake Simcoe in Ontario. I got out last winter on a few spots in Dartmouth but all i got was little 2-3 inch perch.

[hassaracker]

I have found the occasional tapeworm in the guts of trout I have caught in Keji, I was not sure what they were at first, but after having a close look, they were definitely worms 4 to 6" long...

[salmon are forever!]

The worms found in Fish are usually in the meat. They are not harmfull if eaten as long as they are cooked well. There just extra protein. Usually fish will get wormy if there in warmer water for an extended period of time.

P.s. Whats an average sized perch here. I am used to limmits of 2 lb perch fishing Lake Simcoe in Ontario. I got out last winter on a few spots in Dartmouth but all i got was little 2-3 inch perch.

Hey gould you say they usually are in the fish during the warm summer type months but i got a feed of trout 2nd day last year and theywere loaded with them i guess my question is why would they have them during the winter months to?