Buying fish in Singapore

[smoulder]

Like Sea Bass. I think Sea Bass is a very generic term; have actually wondered whether some were Tilapia.

We went to Connie island(near Punggol beach) last weekend and there we saw a guy brought his son along and was fishing by casting a net in the beach. In front of us he caught a sea bass which looks exactly like the one we get in the wet markets/fairprice here. He also caught a baby stingray. It was quite exciting for us to watch it especially for my daughter. I never saw anyone catch fish like that in a beach, like just walking few feet away from the shore. The guy looked like a white collar properly dressed guy, not those typical fisherman type of look. He said they go there and fish quite often as a hobby and also they cook and eat it.

So the sea bass we get here in Singapore seems to come from the local seas nearby, while Tilapia is a fresh water fish isnt it?

My wife's ex colleague (a white collar guy - working in IT sales) used to spend a lot of money traveling around the world so that he could fish! That's just what some people enjoy.

I doubt that the fish in the wet market is fished so close to Singapore waters - I doubt that it would be sustainable considering the volume of fish needed to be consumed. Maybe someone else will have a better idea, but I suspect that it is more likely to be fished using trawlers which are based in Saba Sarawak, aka East Malaysia.

[Wd40]

I don't know the specifics that you are asking about. I think the two are fairly similar; neither is high on my list but they are OK steamed (whole fish), although I guess that is just as much about the sauce/additional flavouring as anything.

If you are buying them whole at the market and know what you are looking at, that is one step ahead!

I was just wondering if Seas bass is a salt water fish and Tilapia is a sweet water fish, how could they be similar? Or may be I am completely wrong and the it doesnt matter.

Sorry, I am not sure but not entirely sure why the waters of origin would make a huge difference (not saying it doesn't). To me, both are mild and fairly soft texture; the latter being something I'm not in love with.

For "Sea Bass," I'm just not sure exactly what one is buying. If you buy one, like it, and can get the same thing over and over from the same guy/stall, then it is OK. Generically, I have a sense that the name could be associated with many different species of fish, all of which are slightly different.

Also not sure if it matters but many of the fish sold are often farm raised too, no?

I see thanks. The sea bass that I have seen in Fairprice and wet markets are all the same. I mean I am so new to fish, but even I can identify Sea Bass the moment I see it. I am sure there could be other varieties. But this is the common Sea Bass, I find:



The main difference is that Sea Bass has very light scales while the Tilapia has more prominent scales. This is the picture of Black Tilapia, I clicked in Fairprice today.

[Wd40]

BTW, I read about the mercury content issue with some fishes and Batang seems to be one of those with higher mercury content, so I guess I am going to bring less of it. Fresh water fish seems to have less mercury content, so another reason to try Tilapia

[smoulder]

Sardines and saba fish are unfortunately notorious for mercury content.

[Lisafuller]

Like Sea Bass. I think Sea Bass is a very generic term; have actually wondered whether some were Tilapia.

We went to Connie island(near Punggol beach) last weekend and there we saw a guy brought his son along and was fishing by casting a net in the beach. In front of us he caught a sea bass which looks exactly like the one we get in the wet markets/fairprice here. He also caught a baby stingray. It was quite exciting for us to watch it especially for my daughter. I never saw anyone catch fish like that in a beach, like just walking few feet away from the shore. The guy looked like a white collar properly dressed guy, not those typical fisherman type of look. He said they go there and fish quite often as a hobby and also they cook and eat it.

So the sea bass we get here in Singapore seems to come from the local seas nearby, while Tilapia is a fresh water fish isnt it?

There are actually a number of areas in SG where fishing is allowed, one that comes to mind is Labrador park, near vivo/reflections@keppel bay.

[Lisafuller]

Like Sea Bass. I think Sea Bass is a very generic term; have actually wondered whether some were Tilapia.

We went to Connie island(near Punggol beach) last weekend and there we saw a guy brought his son along and was fishing by casting a net in the beach. In front of us he caught a sea bass which looks exactly like the one we get in the wet markets/fairprice here. He also caught a baby stingray. It was quite exciting for us to watch it especially for my daughter. I never saw anyone catch fish like that in a beach, like just walking few feet away from the shore. The guy looked like a white collar properly dressed guy, not those typical fisherman type of look. He said they go there and fish quite often as a hobby and also they cook and eat it.

So the sea bass we get here in Singapore seems to come from the local seas nearby, while Tilapia is a fresh water fish isnt it?

Nice experience, a long way from where you stay though (although still not too far in the grand scheme of things)!

I don't know the specifics that you are asking about. I think the two are fairly similar; neither is high on my list but they are OK steamed (whole fish), although I guess that is just as much about the sauce/additional flavouring as anything.

If you are buying them whole at the market and know what you are looking at, that is one step ahead!

I prefer sea bass pan fried - when lightly seared in a pan it can be delicious!

[Lisafuller]

I don't know the specifics that you are asking about. I think the two are fairly similar; neither is high on my list but they are OK steamed (whole fish), although I guess that is just as much about the sauce/additional flavouring as anything.

If you are buying them whole at the market and know what you are looking at, that is one step ahead!

I was just wondering if Seas bass is a salt water fish and Tilapia is a sweet water fish, how could they be similar? Or may be I am completely wrong and the it doesnt matter.

Sorry, I am not sure but not entirely sure why the waters of origin would make a huge difference (not saying it doesn't). To me, both are mild and fairly soft texture; the latter being something I'm not in love with.

For "Sea Bass," I'm just not sure exactly what one is buying. If you buy one, like it, and can get the same thing over and over from the same guy/stall, then it is OK. Generically, I have a sense that the name could be associated with many different species of fish, all of which are slightly different.

Also not sure if it matters but many of the fish sold are often farm raised too, no?

Many of the fish come from Ah Hua Kelong (local fish farm)

[Lisafuller]

Like Sea Bass. I think Sea Bass is a very generic term; have actually wondered whether some were Tilapia.

We went to Connie island(near Punggol beach) last weekend and there we saw a guy brought his son along and was fishing by casting a net in the beach. In front of us he caught a sea bass which looks exactly like the one we get in the wet markets/fairprice here. He also caught a baby stingray. It was quite exciting for us to watch it especially for my daughter. I never saw anyone catch fish like that in a beach, like just walking few feet away from the shore. The guy looked like a white collar properly dressed guy, not those typical fisherman type of look. He said they go there and fish quite often as a hobby and also they cook and eat it.

So the sea bass we get here in Singapore seems to come from the local seas nearby, while Tilapia is a fresh water fish isnt it?

My wife's ex colleague (a white collar guy - working in IT sales) used to spend a lot of money traveling around the world so that he could fish! That's just what some people enjoy.

I doubt that the fish in the wet market is fished so close to Singapore waters - I doubt that it would be sustainable considering the volume of fish needed to be consumed. Maybe someone else will have a better idea, but I suspect that it is more likely to be fished using trawlers which are based in Saba Sarawak, aka East Malaysia.

Singapore imports from Malaysia and China mostly. Those that are bred locally are from Ah Hua Kelong.

[Lisafuller]

I was just wondering if Seas bass is a salt water fish and Tilapia is a sweet water fish, how could they be similar? Or may be I am completely wrong and the it doesnt matter.

Sorry, I am not sure but not entirely sure why the waters of origin would make a huge difference (not saying it doesn't). To me, both are mild and fairly soft texture; the latter being something I'm not in love with.

For "Sea Bass," I'm just not sure exactly what one is buying. If you buy one, like it, and can get the same thing over and over from the same guy/stall, then it is OK. Generically, I have a sense that the name could be associated with many different species of fish, all of which are slightly different.

Also not sure if it matters but many of the fish sold are often farm raised too, no?

I see thanks. The sea bass that I have seen in Fairprice and wet markets are all the same. I mean I am so new to fish, but even I can identify Sea Bass the moment I see it. I am sure there could be other varieties. But this is the common Sea Bass, I find:



The main difference is that Sea Bass has very light scales while the Tilapia has more prominent scales. This is the picture of Black Tilapia, I clicked in Fairprice today.

Yup, I've also noticed tilapia tends to be darker in color which your pictures affirm.

[Lisafuller]

Sardines and saba fish are unfortunately notorious for mercury content.

Cod, tuna and mackerel as well. In fact, most canned fish.

[Wd40]

Sardines and saba fish are unfortunately notorious for mercury content.

No lah, not sardines. Sardines have one of the lowest mercury content. King Mackeral which we get in India has the highest. Spanish Mackeral(Batang) is somewhere in the middle.

https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental- ... -1990-2012

[Lisafuller]

There are so many kinds of each fish, each coming from all around the world that it's impossible to keep track!

[Wd40]

Today's adventure:

I brought Tilapia from the wet market. $8 per kg, these 2 fish cost $7.50



This is how we fried it.



The meat is very soft, even softer than Sea bass, but the flavor is nice, almost tastes like Paneer(Cottage cheeze). Sea bass is bland in comparison.

[NYY1]

Today's adventure:

I brought Tilapia from the wet market. $8 per kg, these 2 fish cost $7.50



This is how we fried it.



The meat is very soft, even softer than Sea bass, but the flavor is nice, almost tastes like Paneer(Cottage cheeze). Sea bass is bland in comparison.

I was wondering when you were going to try one . You filet it yourself or have the market do it?

Happy New Year!

[Wd40]

I was wondering when you were going to try one . You filet it yourself or have the market do it?

Happy New Year!

The fishmonger descaled it and cleaned it and cut it. We never fillet it for Indian style frying or curry. Always steak

Happy New Year!