Worms in Fish Flesh

[Berry Lindley]

OK it's kind of slow here, thought I'd start something up here. Anyone ever notice the red worms embedded in the flesh of fish fillets? We see these in crappie around here, and when I kept bass many yrs ago they were in them too. They have a pretty interesting life cycle, passing through several interim hosts and various life stages. There have been I think 3 cases where humans have been affected in the US, each of the 3 I've read about have gotten these from eating live bait minnows. (Funny, I've never quite had that urge). Anyhow here is some info on the critter, is actually a nematode, not an annelid (segmented worm). Also I understand proper cooking will kill any contamination, so just cut them out and eat 'em up. The fish that is, and NOT the bait.

http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/the_big_red_worm.htm

 

[Dan J.]

I've had the DNR guys tell me that after properly cooking the fish, the majority of parasitic worms in the flesh are "consumable" and are not a health issue for humans. :huh:



I think I'd rather eat a McFish than a cooked worm filet. Although there's little guarantee that it's any better. :lol:

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Thank heavens I have never seen one in any crappie I have cleaned.



TOXIC