Take the 2-minute tour ×  I love fish, and I love cooking it.
The thing is, I don't have any idea how to buy fish.
Considering common fish in a grocery store (salmon, whitefish,
tuna, grouper, etc.), how can I tell a good specimen from a bad
one? When the difference is not clear, which way should I err?
Is there any different set of criteria, when I'm buying fish at
an outdoor market?  share|improve this question I guess I was
thinking filets, but I should be able to expect that they could
filet it for me, yes? –  Andres Jaan Tack Jul 10 '10 at 17:08
Indeed. A good fish monger will fillet the fish for you, Just
use the guidelines below to pick your fish. –  Pulse Jul 10 '10
at 17:18  3 Answers 3  up vote 19 down vote accepted  As a rule
of thumb for a whole fish, and not a fillet -    • the gills
should be bright red   • the skin/scales should be bright and
shiny like metal   • this fish shouldn't really smell of
anything except 'watery'   • the flesh should rebound quickly
when pressed   • the eyes should