Be a Smart Seafood Diner

Ordering fish at a restaurant requires savvy choices. Not all fish are equal—some can leave a bad taste in your mouth, literally and figuratively. To help you navigate menus, here are 10 fish you should avoid ordering for health, sustainability, and quality reasons.

1. Tilapia: The Bottom Feeder

Tilapia is often praised for being mild and affordable. However, as a bottom feeder, it consumes less desirable food, which can affect its taste and quality. Better skip it for a fresher option.

2. Atlantic Cod: Overfished and Vulnerable

Atlantic cod populations have suffered from overfishing. By ordering it, you contribute to its decline. Instead, choose Pacific cod or other sustainable fish.

3. Farmed Atlantic Salmon: Artificially Enhanced

Farmed Atlantic salmon often gets its pink color from additives, lacking the nutrients found in wild salmon. Plus, farming practices can harm the environment. Opt for wild-caught varieties instead.

4. Bluefin Tuna: An Endangered Luxury

Bluefin tuna is delicious but endangered. Choosing it supports unsustainable fishing. Try albacore tuna as a more eco-friendly alternative.

5. Vietnamese Catfish (Pangasius): Questionable Farming

Pangasius, or Vietnamese catfish, comes from overcrowded farms that may use harmful chemicals. Look for better-quality fish raised with ethical practices.

6. Yellowfin Tuna: Mercury Concerns

Yellowfin tuna can contain high mercury levels, posing health risks—especially for pregnant women and children. Smaller tuna species like skipjack or albacore are safer choices.

7. Swordfish: Another Mercury Risk

Swordfish also accumulates mercury due to its position as a predator. Limit consumption and pick sustainable options like mahi-mahi or grouper.

8. Red Snapper: At Risk of Overfishing

Red snapper remains popular but faces population pressures from overfishing. Choose sustainably sourced alternatives to support ocean health.

9. Chilean Sea Bass: Beware of Mislabeling

Chilean sea bass sounds exotic but often suffers from mislabeling and unregulated fishing. Verify certifications to avoid buying misrepresented fish.

10. Imported Shrimp: Ethical and Environmental Issues

Though not a fish, imported shrimp deserves caution. It often involves murky supply chains with unethical labor and environmental damage. Prefer domestic or responsibly farmed shrimp.

Make Informed Seafood Choices

By avoiding these fish, you protect your health and support sustainable fisheries. In fact, smart choices extend beyond seafood—many diners avoid lemon water at restaurants for hygiene reasons.

Next time you scan a menu, keep this list in mind for a tasty, guilt-free dining experience.