Fish cleaning before eating is verry important to prevent food poisoning and to keep the fish from spoiling.
HOW TO CLEAN FISH ?
Remember always if you do not clean you fish before eating then you might suffer from food poisoning. So, Here are the 10 methods to clean fish before cooking ..
1) Place the fish on a cutting board and use newspaper to protect your counter.
2) Insert the knife into the fish's belly, cutting towards the head while keeping the blade shallow.
3) Spread the body open and remove all the entrails, placing them in a bucket for easy disposal.
3) Cut out the fish's anus in a "V" shape.
4) Rinse the cavity with a steady stream of water.
5) Wash the fish's skin, scraping off any dark tissue inside the abdominal cavity.
6) Some fish may have a kidney near the backbone. You can remove it by scraping it out with a spoon or your thumbnail.
7) Optionally, remove the fish's head.
8) Place the clean fish in a dish.
9) Clean your work area thoroughly and dispose of any remnants immediately.
10 ) Now you're ready to start cooking!
By following these steps you can clean your fish in a right manner for cooking.
WHY TO CLEAN FISH WITH SALT ?
Cleaning and disinfectant agents can kill tiny organisms called microbes in a couple of different ways. They can either poison them or take away their water, which dries them out. Most fish diseases are caused by tiny organisms called protozoa or bacteria. It's challenging to find poisons that can kill different types of pathogens without leaving behind something that harms fish.
Salt solutions that are concentrated can dry out bacteria, protozoa, and other pests like hydra. Salt can easily be washed away with fresh water, and any leftovers won't harm fish. Alcohol also dries out bacteria, which is why it's used in hand sanitizer. You can use alcohol, like cheap vodka or grain alcohol, to clean fish tanks, but make sure to rinse it well. Ethanol, another type of alcohol, disappears completely without a trace. However, it is more expensive than salt.
Chlorine, found in bleach, is a very effective way to sterilize things. It's a strong chemical and is used in many cleaning products. In the past, when we used bleached coral in fish tanks, we would occasionally use bleach to get rid of algae. Even after rinsing it many times, tiny amounts of chlorine can stay and be harmful to fish, so we need to use chemicals to remove the chlorine. Bleach can also ruin your clothes.
Some glass cleaners have ammonia, which is poisonous to fish, so you should never spray it near fish tanks. If you have to use it to clean the glass, spray it on a cloth away from the tank and wipe only the outside glass.
White vinegar is often used to clean aquarium glass and covers. Vinegar is a weak acid solution made of acetic acid. It's mild enough that you can eat it in salad dressings or on french fries. As an acid, it helps dissolve the deposits that can build up if you have hard water. It rinses away easily, and any tiny leftover amount slightly lowers the water's acidity.
Other cleaners can have toxins in them. Fish gills are right in contact with the water and have lots of tiny blood vessels. Toxins in the water can go straight from the gills into the bloodstream and harm the gills themselves. There are sterilizing solutions and net dips that are safe for fish, but they can be expensive.
So, salt is an effective and inexpensive option, and any leftover amount is harmless to fish. You don't need to use expensive sea salt or "aquarium salt" – any sodium chloride (regular salt) will do the job.
WARNINGS AND TIPS
It's important to understand the environment where you're fishing due to the negative impact humans have on fish habitats.
1) Before catching fish, ensure their safety for consumption as mercury and heavy metal poisoning are common concerns. State agencies and outdoor organizations are reliable sources for researching the safety of fish in specific waters.
2) Fish possess natural defenses, so it's crucial to be cautious of sharp teeth, fins, spikes, barbs, and other appendages that can cause severe punctures or scrapes. Fish fins, in particular, can be extremely sharp, so extra care must be taken when gutting, filleting, or cleaning them.
3) Keep in mind that certain fish may have excessive bones or strong flavors, making them less suitable for consumption.
4) If you're holding a fish by the head while cleaning it, be mindful of their sharp teeth and exercise caution.