Tag: Bottom feeders

According to the Environmental Working Group, consuming a single serving of freshwater fish can expose a person to the same level of 'forever chemicals' (PFAS) as drinking contaminated water for a month. Understanding this risk is crucial when considering which freshwater fish are the most unhealthy to eat due to accumulated toxins.

With more than 2,200 species worldwide, the catfish is one of the most diverse groups of fish, but one common misconception persists: that they are exclusively bottom feeders. The reality is far more complex, with their diets and feeding zones varying significantly across different species and environments.

According to a 2016 study, larger predatory fish had significantly higher mercury concentrations than bottom feeders, a nuance often missed in discussions about contaminants. However, other studies raise serious concerns, suggesting that many bottom feeders can accumulate harmful toxins like PCBs and neurotoxins from the sea floor. This raises the question: why should you not eat bottom feeders?