Oceans And Seafood
Earth’s oceans have been blessed with a vast magnitude of flora and fauna. These diversified plants and organisms form the ecosystem of the oceans on planet earth. These large massed water bodies are home to millions of species, of which many are the predators and many others serve as their prey. Of all these organisms thriving in oceans, fish are the most commonly known ocean organisms to mankind. These fish can be categorized ranging from fierce and deadly organisms to fairly friendly fish. Oceans and seas serve many fruitful purposes to human beings. Similarly, seafood is one of the most enjoyed cuisines all over the world. Seafood lovers tend to feast on organisms such as fishes, lobsters, crabs, oysters, snails, scallops, limpets and many others. This article elaborates upon the edibility of one such organism, which is killifish. Read more about Can you eat killifish?
Introduction to Killifish
Killifish are small-sized carnivore fish usually found in freshwater sources. These creatures usually feed on small aquatic organisms such as dwarf shrimps, crustaceans, insect larvae, worms and other small fish. To date, 1270 species of killifish have been discovered. The majority of these fish are small, ranging from 2.5 to 5 centimetres, and with the largest killifish species achieving the size of 15 centimetres. They usually avoid coming in proximity to surface water, to avoid falling prey to bigger predators.
Characteristics of Killifish
Killifish, like other fish species, have distinct characteristics, which sets them apart from other fish in water bodies. The following highlights major characteristics of killifish-
- Killifish are usually found in freshwater bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and streams. They are located in regions such as America, South Argentina, Southern Europe, parts of Africa and numerous islands located in the Indian ocean.
- Killifish tend to live in large and dense groups.
- Several species of killifish are gifted with mesmerizing colours and often kept as
pets in aquariums.
- Some species of killifish are known to possess the ability to survive out of eater for numerous weeks.
- The life expectancy of killifish ranges from 2 to 5 years when they are kept in an aquarium.
- Killifish are also used in biological research related to fish lifespan.
Edibility of Killifish
One of the most important questions that arise while discussing aquatic organisms is whether they can be consumed by human beings or not. This question has gained prominence from the ever-increasing popularity of seafood among the masses. In the case of killifish, this question can be simply answered by saying, yes killifish is edible and human beings can safely consume it. Consumption of killifish by human beings is not dangerous, as it is a completely non-poisonous fish. However, they are not commonly consumed as seafood and are not generally considered as the type of species that are consumed by human beings. Most often, killifish are preyed upon by large fish-eating birds. These small-sized carnivore fish are often used as live bait for capturing other larger fishes. Apart from this, killifish are most primarily used as pets as their vibrant body colours help them to obtain a beautiful and friendly look like pets which can be kept in an aquarium. So, It can be said that killifish as an edible form of seafood is yet to be explored.
Conclusion–
To recapitulate, it can be said that killifish can be consumed by human beings, owing to its non-poisonous nature. However, the edibility of killifish is certainly a topic that has not been explored properly on a large scale. This is resultant from the fact that killifish is often viewed as a pet fish, which can be easily kept in an aquarium at home. So, regarding the edibility of killifish, seafood lovers should have a try at other popular cuisines, which are tasty and fulfilling, as killifish has not assumed the role of popular or mostly consumed seafood and most probably killifish will remain as a pet fish and may not become part of our food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1. Is it safe to consume seafood?
Answer- Yes, seafood is safe to consume, provided the fact that it is cooked hygienically and cuisine consists of organisms that are non-poisonous to human beings. However, seafood also possesses the risk to infect the eaters with foodborne diseases.
Question 2. What is killifish most commonly used for?
Answer- Killifish are most commonly used as pets to keep in aquariums. These attractive looking pets are often kept as pets in households and hotels. They often tend to thrive in such conditions and can generally live up to 5 years.
Question 3. Is killifish edible?
Answer- Killifish is a non-poisonous fish, so it can be consumed by human beings. But it is not a commonly consumed seafood. It is mainly used as pet fish, bait to capture other larger fish, and for research purposes.
