I Hate Parasites(worms)

[guidofatherof5]

Yesterday I purchased a beautiful 2 lb salmon fillet. It was labeled "Fresh-Never Frozen" "U.S. wild caught"
The price was good. I even decided to have some myself since all the salmon purchased lately has gone to my snake.

I individually wrapped a few pieces and put in the freezer. I fed a small piece to Tank and took a couple pieces down to the snakes.
Using a good sharp pair of fabric scissors I made up a nice plate for my girls.
While I was feeding them I saw movement in the dish and found this worm crawling around.
Lousy stinking pinworm.
Looks like I'll have to de-worm a group of snake and Tank.
From this point forward all fish will be frozen for at least a month before I feed it off.
One more reason for me to move away from all fish.

[snakehill]

EWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ConcinusMan]

Nuke it 'till it's lightly cooked and make fish jello.

Of course there is always the issue of mercury and PCB's which are present in all WC (and to a lesser degree, farmed) U.S. salmon.

If you're going to feed raw grocery store fish, I would definitely stick to the frozen tilapia, farmed steelhead, or WC Alaskan salmon, all should be previously frozen.

Those can be more expensive and what you got is cheap, for definite reasons Steve.

[Mommy2many]

That just sucks. And that was people food as well

[ConcinusMan]

That just sucks. And that was people food as well

Yup. Cooking eliminates the parasite problem. It's not meant to be eaten raw. Also, there are warnings out for the various fish available in markets. There is a maximum amount a person can eat, (even if it's cooked) and not get poisoned by contaminants. That's the cold hard reality with fish these days. Not only are many species in trouble, but the very little there is left to harvest, is contaminated with pollutants. Sad but true.

The lower priced fresh fish you see in the store, is priced low for a reason. Contaminants such as PCB's and mercury are highest in these low priced fish. Parasites are present in all WC fish. Most farmed fish is fairly clean of parasites, but this isn't guaranteed. Freezing at very low temperatures (0 degrees F is sufficient) for weeks, will all but eliminate the parasite risk. So will cooking.

List of Seafood Health Alerts - Seafood Selector - Environmental Defense Fund

[snakehill]

Cooking may eliminate any problems but your're still eating a worm!!!

[ConcinusMan]

It's just a little protein. Won't hurt you. Most of the parasites such as these pinworms can even be swallowed alive and it won't infect you. They will simply get destroyed by your stomach acid.

The problem here, mainly, is the eggs. Many of the parasites will die if digested, and won't infect warm blooded animals anyway. But the eggs will survive, hatch out in the lower intestines, and will infect cold blooded animals such as snakes and turtles. Tape worms are little different, and also present in most WC fish. Those will infect human beings, cats, and other warm blooded animals. I wouldn't suggest ever eating raw fresh fish or feeding it to your cats.

[snakehill]

Well considering some of the things I DO eat it's not that disgusting I guess!!!!

[ConcinusMan]

The fact is, human beings eat very disgusting things every day, whether you know it or not. It's only a problem if that disgusting thing you swallow causes health issues. Obviously, a live tapeworm living in your intestines is a health issue. Cook your fish, and limit your intake of mercury/PCB's, then there's no problem.

[snakehill]

I only eat shellfish!