Can You Eat Catfish Raw? (Know Everything You Need)

Catfish is famous in many food recipes. There are different ways of preparing this fish. Some people will prefer to grill it, and others will bake it or fry it.

Catfish has an outstanding flavor that you will not find in just any white fish in all these cases. While catfish have many cooking options, can you eat catfish raw?

The answer is, that you should not eat catfish raw. It contains live parasites that will result in foodborne illnesses and others. Having undercooked catfish will also bring issues to your health. Be sure to cook this fish until it reaches an internal temperature of 145.

Catfish has tons of healthy nutrients, so adding it to your diet benefits your body. Also, it is a pretty delicious meal, famous to people of North America, Europe, and Asia.

Despite being famous, it is not a common practice for people to have it raw. Read this article to know more about catfish, why you should not eat it raw, and what will happen if you do.

Are Raw Catfish Edible?

Catfish are edible. It doesn’t matter whether they are farm or wild reared. However, each type of catfish has a unique flavor that you won’t find in others.

 Despite many theories behind catfish, one thing should remain clear, do not eat raw catfish. There is much fish that people eat raw, but catfish are not among them.

Catfish, whether cooked or not, might not be as safe. Wild-raised catfish mainly contain many parasites. It also has high amounts of fatty acids, which can cause blood clots. But raw fish has higher chances of putting your health at stake.

Even as you eat this fish, be sure to limit the number of times you have it. Also, do not have it raw or when it is undercooked.

What Does a Raw Catfish Taste Like?

Catfish has this unique and incredible flavor rare to find anywhere else. Probably, it’s one reason why people love it. Each type of catfish has a particular flavor. How they taste mainly depends on how it is raised.

The farm-raised catfish has a sweet, moist, and mild taste. Its flesh is pretty firm with little scales, unlike other fish. Usually, this fish is grain-fed, predominantly affecting how it tastes.

The wild-reared catfish mainly depends on the bottoms of the lake or river. It is muddy and has so much dirt that it forms a large part of its taste. Its ends are, however, sweet.

Is Raw Catfish Commonly Eaten?

Some people prefer eating raw catfish. It is used to make common dishes like sushi and sashimi in Japan. Other regions where raw catfish is popular include Hawaii, Southeast Asia, the Netherlands, and Latin America.

Most of the dishes that raw catfish is used in are part of those people’s culture. Even when eaten raw, it has nutritional benefits. It has proteins, Vitamin B12, Phosphorus, Thiamine, and Sodium, which all add value to your body.

While it is common for people to eat catfish, eating it raw is not common. Most will prefer grilling, baking, or pan-frying, among other cooking methods.

If you eat it raw, then try and avoid this. Ensure that your catfish is pretty well-cooked to eliminate the parasites and toxins.

LEARN MORE: Can You Eat a Seahorse?

Is Catfish Safe to Eat? See What Happens if You Eat Catfish Raw!

Catfish are very much safe to eat. It is offered in the various hotels because it is delicious. It also promotes good health since it has omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12. You can boil or bake and incorporate it into your regular diet for better results.

The only time catfish becomes unsafe to eat is when you have it raw. Also, when you don’t let it cook to the ideal internal temperature, it will cause issues. The poisons that catfish have are mainly found in the bone area.

However, the parasites and fecal matter will be in its flesh. These parasites easily transfer to your body, causing infections if you eat the catfish raw.

Some infections that undercooked catfish can cause include Giardiasis and Listeria. The signs that you have such foodborne illnesses are severe vomiting and stomach pains. In other cases, you will have diarrhea.

What Happens if You Eat Raw Catfish

Eating raw catfish puts you at risk of contracting various waterborne diseases. The wild catfish, for instance, lives in water contaminated with parasites and feces. These get into the fish’s body and remain alive unless you remove them.

The best way to ensure your catfish is germs and parasite free is by adequately cooking it. If you don’t, you will get infections such as anisakiasis and cryptosporidiosis.

The farm-raised catfish may not have so many parasites. It can still make you sick if you do not cook it well.

LEARN MORE: Can You Freeze Robert Redford Dessert?

Conclusion

While catfish is edible and safe to eat, only have it when well-cooked. If you eat catfish raw or undercooked, you risk getting various waterborne infections. 

Places like Japan and Hawaii use raw catfish to prepare some meals. If you cook it, the taste might be sweet and moist, and others will have a muddy taste depending on where it’s raised. You can refrigerate it for four days after cooking.

 Ensure you cook your catfish to 145℉. It’s the ideal temperature that kills the parasites in the catfish that may intoxicate you.

Tips: You can have the catfish in the refrigerator for about two days. This only applies to raw and fresh catfish. If your catfish is already cooked, it can stay in the refrigerator for four days. Refrigerating it for more days will diminish its quality.