Do fish stay alive when frozen?
The good news is that fish are generally able to adapt to changes in temperature and can survive in cold water for extended periods of time. However, if a body of water freezes over completely and remains frozen for an extended period of time, it is possible that some fish may die.
Dense and firm-fleshed fish (like rockfish, cobia, or mahi) hold up well frozen. Softer fleshed fish, particularly fatty and oily ones (like bluefish or spanish mackerel) do not freeze well, and should be eaten fresh. Salmon and tuna have high amounts of fat, so they freeze okay, but they are much better fresh.
Freezing to specific temperatures and for specific times kills parasites in raw fish. You may obtain fish which has been frozen or you may freeze fish in the establishment. You may serve fish raw if you or your supplier: Freeze the fish and store it at or below -4°F for at least 168 hours (7 days).
“Fish do feel pain. It's likely different from what humans feel, but it is still a kind of pain.” At the anatomical level, fish have neurons known as nociceptors, which detect potential harm, such as high temperatures, intense pressure, and caustic chemicals.
Out of all the "old-school" methods, this process seems most inhumane. The AVMA does not advocate freezing fish as an acceptable method of euthanasia; the only way they would approve of cooling would be to deep freeze an animal that is already under deep anesthesia.
Many people freeze fish in water, and this causes fish to lose some of its flavor when defrosted. Fresh, and the emphasis is on 'fresh', (store bought or fresh catch) fish freeze well for up to six months if stored in an airtight method (fatty fish like salmon and trout; only three months).
Water — Place fish in a shallow metal, foil or plastic pan; cover with water and freeze. To prevent evaporation of the ice, wrap the container in freezer paper after it is frozen, label and freeze. Freezing fish in a block of ice will produce a poorer quality product than using the glaze methods.
How long this state lasts depends on how it was killed and how it was treated after death. A fish that is killed properly and immediately iced down will stay in rigor mortis up to five or six days; an improperly killed fish will stay in rigor mortis only a few hours.
However, colder water can hold more dissolved gas than warmer water can, so water below freezing holds the most oxygen. Then, because fish metabolism has slowed down, they are using less oxygen. Some fish even go into a state called torpor that decreases their need for oxygen even more.
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