What happens if you eat a dead fish?

Last weekend, I went fishing with my dad. We caught a few fish, but one of them died before we could put it back in the water. My dad said that it was no big deal and that we could still eat it. So, I did. But now I’m wondering…what happens if you eat a dead fish?

What happens if you eat a dead fish?

While it may not be the most appetizing thing in the world, there are a few potential consequences of eating a dead fish. Let’s explore what could happen if you took a chance and chowed down on some expired fish.

The Risks of Eating a Dead Fish

There are a few risks associated with consuming expired seafood, the most common of which is food poisoning. Food poisoning occurs when you eat food that is contaminated with bacteria, viruses, or other toxins. Symptoms of food poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and headache. In severe cases, food poisoning can lead to death.

Another risk of eating a dead fish is contracting an infectious disease. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens—organisms that can cause disease. Some common pathogens associated with seafood include Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria. These pathogens can cause serious illnesses like typhoid fever, cholera, and listeriosis.

The last major risk of consuming spoiled fish is heavy metal poisoning. Heavy metals like mercury and lead can accumulate in fish over time. When you eat contaminated fish, these heavy metals can build up in your body and potentially cause neurological problems, kidney damage, and even death.

N.B. If a fish just died, you can eat it without any thoughts. But if the fish start to rot, don’t eat it.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Those are the risks associated with eating a dead fish. As you can see, there are some pretty serious consequences that come along with consuming expired seafood. So next time you’re feeling tempted to take a chance on some old fish, think twice—it might not be worth the risk!