Home >> Science & Nature >> Nature

How to Bleed a Catfish

The method of bleeding fish is a controversial subject, as some see the act as inhumane and violent. However, severing the arteries in a fish, especially large fish like catfish, is a quick, near painless way kill and preserve the taste of the fish. In comparison to other methods, such as suffocation, bleeding out a catfish is by far the most humane way to kill the creature. Also, meat from a bled catfish is not only whiter in color and firmer than a catfish that hasn't been bled, it also tastes less fishy and muddy.

Things You'll Need

Stainless steel scissors
Bucket
Hammer
Ice

Instructions

- 1
  Hit the catfish sharply on the head with a blunt object, such as a hammer, immediately after you catch it. The fish will be knocked unconscious.
- 2
  Place the catfish on its back and hold it just beneath the gills. The connecting tissue between the two gills will be exposed. Within this tissue is an artery that you will sever.
- 3
  Cut the connecting tissue down the middle with a pair of stainless steel scissors.
- 4
  Place the catfish face first into a large bucket full of water to allow it to bleed out completely. The catfish's heart will pump out the blood quickly, so this process should not take any longer than a minute or two.
- 5
  Lay the catfish on a bed of ice to keep it cool after it's been bled out. Clean and cook it as desired.

Nature