If you’ve ever been fishing and accidentally caught an ugly fish that looks like it has wings and legs and armored plates on its head, then you’ve probably caught a sea robin (also known as Gurnard).
So, ugly as they may be…are sea robins edible despite their unappealing appearance?
Keep reading to find out more about these unique fish and the love/hate relationship anglers have for them…
Table of Contents
- Are Sea Robins Good To Eat?
- What Do Sea Robins Taste Like?
- Are Sea Robins Safe To Eat?
- Are Sea Robins Good For You?
- How To Prepare Sea Robin
- How To Cook Sea Robins
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
- Related Posts
Are Sea Robins Good To Eat?
Despite their very unappetizing looks, sea robins are actually perfectly edible. In fact, they are a very popular fish to eat in parts of Europe and can be a great addition to many soups and stews.
In the U.S. however, sea robins are usually looked down upon as “trash” fish or “nuisance” fish since they are notorious for taking the bait that was intended for other fish.
Before you toss your next sea robin back though, consider the mildly sweet, subtly flavored white fish that you will be losing. It’s makes for some rather tasty fried fish fingers.
What Do Sea Robins Taste Like?
Sea robin has a flavor that is subtle and mildly sweet. It is said to be similar to the flavor of flounder or whiting. There have been reports that it tastes better than sea bass or fluke, although it has slightly darker and firmer meat than sea bass.
The meat is not as flaky like a lot of other fish. If you aren’t too keen on the flavor of sea robin the first time you try it, play around with how you cook it.
Due to it’s mild flavor, it is possible to alter its flavor, to an extent, in the way you prepare it.
So prepare it a couple of different ways before you decide, for good, whether or not you like it.
Are Sea Robins Safe To Eat?
While it is difficult to look at something so odd and see something edible, sea robins are safe to eat. You might have heard that they are poisonous to humans and that is true. However, the toxin is only in the spines of the dorsal fins and gill plates and is not in the actual meat.
Also, the poison is very mild and will only cause mild pain or irritation for a few days if you are stung by a spine. It is not fatal to humans, nor will it make you sick.
It should also be noted that sea robins are bottom dwellers, so there is no concern for ciguatera poisoning either.
Are Sea Robins Good For You?
Not only are sea robins edible, but they can also be quite beneficial to your health. Like many fish, sea robins are a good low-fat, high-protein option for anyone who is looking to lower their cholesterol or risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular disease.
They are also very rich in the following vitamins and minerals.
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Vitamin B6
- Selenium
Also, like most fish, they are high in Omega-3 fatty acids which have also been shown to have a positive effect on heart health.
How To Prepare Sea Robin
The downside of sea robins is the difficulty in cleaning and preparing them for cooking. The boney fins can make cleaning them a challenge and you will want to wear gloves to protect yourself from their spines.
This is a fish that will make you work for your food and unfortunately, they have a very low meat-to-size ratio that might not make it worth the struggle for many.
Most anglers cut off the top dorsal fin, all the way down to the tail. Then make an incision under the gills, and gut the fish so you left with a ‘drumstick’ or ‘cone shaped’ fillet.
How To Cook Sea Robins
Cooking sea robins isn’t different from any other fish, except that they have a pretty thick skin that can be difficult to remove prior to cooking. It’s not uncommon to see them cooked with the skin left on.
It is most commonly cut into small cubes and either turned into a ceviche dish or added to flavor soups and stews.
For those who don’t mind the challenge of removing the skin, they are great seared. Some people also like to batter the filets and then fry them as fish sticks. Baking is another popular option.
It’s such a mild-flavored fish that you can prepare it almost any way that you desire, just remember that strong seasonings or spices will overpower the taste of the fish.
Keep it simple!
Do You Love Seafood?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Eat Sea Robin Raw?
No. Sea robins yield very little meat, so getting a portion big enough to have as sushi or sashimi would be very difficult. Removing the thick skin before it’s cooked is also very challenging and would probably damage what little meat you did have.
Do Sea Robins Have Worms?
Sea robins are known to eat segmented worms as part of their normal diet, but the worms rarely enter the meat of the fish.
Do Sea Robins Have Legs?
No, but they have spines that look like little legs. Sea robins have 6 “legs,” 3 on each side of their body.
These “legs” are flexible spines that have separated from their boney pectoral fins over time and are used as feeler “forelegs” that aid the sea robin in stirring up food from the sea floor where it lives.
Final Thoughts
Although strange-looking creatures, sea robins are a very popular food choice in Europe and are slowly becoming a more widely accepted food option in the U.S.
Don’t be so quick to throw these ugly fish overboard. Rather put in the elbow grease to clean them and make some tasty fish fingers or stew. Your stomach will thank you.
You May Also Like: Are Stingray Fish Good to Eat? You May Be Surprised!
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