Our Tips for Buying & Storing Fresh Fish and Seafood
In Australia we are luckyto have some of the freshest and most delicious range of fish and seafood in the world. At FishCo the best quality fish and seafood arrives daily from around Australia, and is available at the most competitive pricing.
Our friendly staff and Fishmongers are the best people to ask for advice about the flavours, textures and best cooking methods of fish and seafood. Follow us on Facebook for product info, recipes and the chance to win a $50 voucher every month.
- Always buy your fish & seafood last before going home – use cold bags and ask for free ice!
- Always ask about seasonal fish and seafood because seasonal produce has better availability and pricing.
- Our fish have a pleasant, fresh, ocean smell. This is an indicator of freshness. Never buy fish that has unexpectedly pungent aromas – it may be unsafe to eat and cooking it will not improve the quality.
- Never store fillets in direct contact with ice. Always cover & refridgerate. Cook & eat within 2 days.
- When selecting whole fish, we encourage our customers to touch and feel, as a firm bladder area is the best indicator of fresh whole fish. (Please note that contact with ice can dull the eyes of fish, even when very fresh). Remember to consider the size of your pan or oven when selecting your fish! Don’t forget that we offer complimentary gutting, scaling and cutting.
- When eating whole fish, the best way to avoid bones is to pull the flesh down along the line of the rib cage (away from the top fins) with your fork.
- When buying cooked prawns and oysters, our recommendation is to ‘Try Before You Buy’ to ensure that you are satisfied with the product. FishCo offer complimentary tasting of cooked prawns and oysters.
- When buying uncooked prawns, the best indicator of freshness is to check the firmness of the prawn. However, always be mindful that some species are naturally softer than others.
- Fresh fish & seafood should be removed from packaging, covered and stored in the coolest part of the fridge. However:
- Refridgerate uncooked prawns in a bowl of ice and water, change daily.
- Cover oysters & smoked fish with wet paper, then seal in container or with wrap and refrigerate.
- Always defrost fish & seafood overnight in the fridge. Do not refreeze.
- CAUTION: Even ‘boneless’ fish fillets may contain bones. Take care before eating and check carefully before feeding to children.
- As a general rule, the darker the flesh of the fish, the stronger the flavour. This means white or light coloured fish fillets are mild in flavour and the preferred choice for people who don’t like a ‘fishy’ taste; think battered fish you’d buy at the fish n chips shop! YUM!
Examples of Fish Varieties regularly available at FishCo, and their flavour:
Strong Flavoured Fish |
Mild Flavoured Fish |
Mildest Flavoured Fish |
||||
Tuna* |
Sardines* |
John Dory |
Flathead |
Red Emperor |
Ling |
Orange Roughy |
Marlin* |
Kingfish* |
Snapper |
Atlantic Salmon* |
Tilapia |
Flake |
Basa |
Swordfish* |
Mackeral* |
Silver Bream |
Perch |
Coral Trout |
Nile Perch |
Blue Eye Cod |
Kingfish* |
Spanish Mackeral* |
Tailor* |
Sand Whiting |
Parrot Fish |
Groper |
Monkfish |
Moonfish* |
Bonito* |
Silver Dory |
Barramundi |
Rainbow Trout |
Bream |
Murray Cod |
Garfish |
Leather Jackets |
Ocean Trout* |
*Denotes fish that is very high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids. NB: All fish contain Omega 3 Fatty Acids.
Refund Policy
Despite all our best efforts, our produce is perishable and sometimes things go wrong, for this reason we have a no-questions asked refund policy for all produce that is returned when customers:
- contact us within 24 hrs of purchase
- retain proof of purchase (itemised receipt)
- retain produce even if processed or cooked (may be frozen until able to return to store)
Note, we only refund for items that are returned with proof of purchase and we are happy to try to reprint itemised receipts if necessary. Please see our full refund policy here.