What fish is highest in mercury?

Overall, larger and longer-lived fish tend to contain the most mercury ( 4 ). These include shark, swordfish, fresh tuna, marlin, king mackerel, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, and northern pike ( 5 ). Larger fish tend to eat many smaller fish, which contain small amounts of mercury.


Which fish have the most mercury?

Fish that contain higher levels of mercury include:
  • shark.
  • ray.
  • swordfish.
  • barramundi.
  • gemfish.
  • orange roughy.
  • ling.
  • southern bluefin tuna.


Which fish has the least mercury?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans states that to consume those higher amounts, children should only be fed fish from the “Best Choices” list that are even lower in mercury – these fish are anchovies, Atlantic mackerel, catfish, clams, crab, crawfish, flounder, haddock, mullet, oysters, plaice, pollock, salmon, ...


Which fish is worst mercury?

Species of fish that are long-lived and high on the food chain, such as marlin, tuna, shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish contain higher concentrations of mercury than others.

What are the four highest mercury fish?

  • Do not eat Shark, Swordfish, King Mackerel, or Tilefish because they contain high levels of mercury.
  • Eat up to 12 ounces (2 average meals) a week of a variety of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury.


Which Fish Contain Mercury?



What is the healthiest fish to eat?

6 of the Healthiest Fish to Eat
  1. Albacore Tuna (troll- or pole-caught, from the US or British Columbia) ...
  2. Salmon (wild-caught, Alaska) ...
  3. Oysters (farmed) ...
  4. Sardines, Pacific (wild-caught) ...
  5. Rainbow Trout (farmed) ...
  6. Freshwater Coho Salmon (farmed in tank systems, from the US)


Are shrimp high in mercury?

Five of the most commonly eaten fish that are low in mercury are shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.

Is salmon high in mercury?

Salmon is low in mercury.

Both wild and farmed Atlantic salmon have much lower mercury levels than most other fish species. Farmed salmon has on average, 0.05 micrograms of mercury per gram.


Is tilapia high in mercury?

Low in Mercury. Because tilapia is a farm-raised fish -- usually in closed-tank systems -- they have less contact with pollution than other fish. This means they have the least mercury possible. Tilapia gets the official thumbs up for children and for women who are breastfeeding or pregnant.

Is canned tuna high in mercury?

Though tuna is very nutritious, it's also high in mercury compared to most other fish. Therefore, it should be eaten in moderation — not every day. You can eat skipjack and light canned tuna alongside other low-mercury fish a few times each week, but should limit or avoid albacore, yellowfin and bigeye tuna.

What seafood contains no mercury?

Small or short-lived species, such as sardines, shrimp, crab and tilapia, generally have low amounts of mercury. Wild salmon, which eat plankton and small fish, are low in mercury, as are farm-raised salmon, which are fed fish meal containing little mercury.


Is there any fish that is mercury free?

Actually, there is no such thing as a wild caught mercury free fish! All fish caught in their natural environment (wild caught) contain some level of toxin, including mercury. Now, this toxin level can vary due to first, the area of fishing and second, the species of fish.

Can I eat salmon everyday?

Generally speaking, eating salmon every day is not always recommended, unless you eat small amounts. “The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that people consume 8 to 10 ounces of seafood per week, especially fish that are lower in mercury, which would include salmon,” says Pike.

What fish to avoid while pregnant?

The bigger and older the fish, the more mercury it's likely to contain. During pregnancy, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages you to avoid: Bigeye tuna. King mackerel.
...
  • Anchovies.
  • Catfish.
  • Cod.
  • Herring.
  • Light canned tuna.
  • Pacific oysters.
  • Pollock.
  • Salmon.


How do you get mercury out of your body?

The traditional treatment for mercury poisoning is to stop all exposures. In many cases, chelation therapy is also used. This involves giving a medication (the chelator) which goes into the body and grabs the metal (chelos is the Greek word for claw) then carries the metal out of the body, usually into the urine.

Does chicken have mercury?

The concentration of Hg in chicken tissues were found in the range of 2.54–5.54 μg/kg (liver), 1.27–3.86 μg/kg (muscles) and 2.13–3.27 μg/kg (heart). The bioaccumulation factors (BAF) for Hg in different tissues were found in the range of 0.092–0.269.

What fish to avoid?

Worst: Fish High in Mercury
  • Imported swordfish.
  • Imported marlin.
  • Shark.
  • Tilefish.


What is healthier tilapia or salmon?

Tilapia contains much less omega-3 than other fish like salmon. Its omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is higher than other fish and may contribute to inflammation in the body.

Can I eat fish everyday?

But is it safe to eat fish every day? “For most individuals it's fine to eat fish every day,” says Eric Rimm, professor of epidemiology and nutrition, in an August 30, 2015 article on Today.com, adding that “it's certainly better to eat fish every day than to eat beef every day.”

Does cooking salmon get rid of mercury?

Mercury and PFOS cannot be removed through cooking or cleaning -- they get into the flesh of the fish. You can reduce the amount of other contaminants like PCBs by removing fat when you clean and cook fish. Trim skin and fat, especially belly fat.


What foods are high in mercury?

Here are eight foods you should avoid to reduce your exposure to dietary mercury.
  • Swordfish. A predatory fish that inhabits several ocean zones, swordfish is one of the highest sources of mercury. ...
  • Shark. ...
  • Tilefish. ...
  • King Mackerel. ...
  • Bigeye Tuna. ...
  • Marlin. ...
  • Orange Roughy. ...
  • Chilean Sea Bass.


How often can I eat salmon?

Fish and shellfish in this category, such as salmon, catfish, tilapia, lobster and scallops, are safe to eat two to three times a week, or 8 to 12 ounces per week, according to the FDA.

What seafood has the highest levels of mercury?

Overall, larger and longer-lived fish tend to contain the most mercury ( 4 ). These include shark, swordfish, fresh tuna, marlin, king mackerel, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, and northern pike ( 5 ). Larger fish tend to eat many smaller fish, which contain small amounts of mercury.


How do I know if I have too much mercury?

Organic mercury poisoning symptoms

Symptoms of organic mercury poisoning from long-term exposure include: Feeling numb or dull pain in certain parts of your body. Tremors (uncontrollable shaking). Unsteady walk.

Is lobster high in mercury?

Lobster is a low mercury seafood option, so the primary safety concern is to make sure it is stored and prepared properly as well as fully cooked, advises Naze. This applies to both fresh and frozen lobster eaten at home or in a restaurant.