Which Fish Have Parasites

By Sushi Modern | March 26th, 2018

Salmon, tuna, snapper, flounder, escolar, sea bass—there are countless fish to try as sushi and sashimi! But with a wide diversity of options comes the burden of remembering which can and cannot be safely consumed raw. Unfortunately, fish used for sushi can be susceptible to parasites like Anisakis and tapeworms that cause serious illness. That's why we've put together a helpful buying guide to flag species that have parasite risks and other hazards. When shopping for fish for sushi, use this safe sushi-grade guide and avoid any fish labeled with parasite risk (unless it was specifically frozen to be used in sushi). For a thorough report on parasites in sushi, read more about the sushi-grade myth.

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Fin Fish
Shellfish
Roe and Liver

Fish

Name	Risks
*Tuna, all species (Maguro)*	No risk
*Yellowtail (Hamachi)*	No risk
*Wild Salmon (Samon)*	Parasites
*Farmed Salmon (Samon)*	No Risk ^[1]
*Arctic Char (Hokkyoku Iwana)*	No risk
*Mackerel (Saba)*	Parasites
*Sea Bream (Tai)*	No risk
*Red Snapper (Hamadai)*	No risk
*Porgy (Kurodai)*	No risk
*Eels (Unagi, Anago, and Hamo)*	No risk
*Flounder, wild & farmed (Hirame)*	Parasites
*Dover Sole (Shitabirame)*	Parasites
*Wild Turbot (Makogarei)*	Parasites
*Farmed Turbot (Makogarei)*	No risk
*Gizzard Shad (Kohada)*	No risk
*Anchovy (Katakuchiiwashi)*	No risk
*Tilefish (Amadai)*	No risk
*Branzino (Hata)*	Parasites
*Barracuda (Kamasu)*	No risk
*Bluefish (Amikiri)*	No risk
*Opah (Mandai)*	No risk
*Dory (Matoudai)*	No risk
*Mahi-Mahi (Shiira)*	No risk
*Pompano (Koban-aji)*	No risk
*Smelt (Wakasagi)*	No risk
*Sturgeon (Shirochozame)*	No risk
*Tilapia (Izumidai)*	No risk
*Wahoo (Ono)*	No risk
Escolar	Side effects ^[2]
*Monkfish (Anko)*	Parasites
*Cobia (Sugi)*	Parasites
*Mullet (Bora)*	Parasites
*Hake (Heiku)*	Parasites
*Haddock (Montsukidara)*	Parasites
*Herring (Nishin)*	Parasites
*Sardine (Iwashi)*	Parasites
*Rainbow Trout (Nijimasu)*	Parasites
*Cod (Tara)*	Parasites
*Black Sea Bass (Hata)*	Parasites
*Chilean Sea Bass (Ookuchi)*	Parasites

Shellfish

Name	Risks
*Shrimp, all species (Ebi)*	No risk
*Sea Urchin (Uni)*	No risk
*Octopus (Tako)*	Parasites
*Squid (Ika)*	Parasites
*Cuttlefish (Ko-ika)*	No risk
*Scallop (Hotate)*	No risk
*Abalone (Awabi)*	No risk
*King Crab (Tarabagani)*	No risk
*Blue Crab (Gazami)*	No risk
*Stone Crab (Kani)*	No risk
*Spanner Crab (Kani)*	No risk
*Snow Crab (Zuwaigani)*	No risk
*Dungeness Crab (Danjinesukani)*	No risk
*Peekytoe Crab (Kani)*	No risk
*Lobster (Ise ebi)*	No risk
Langostines	No risk
*Raw Geoduck (Mirugai)*	No risk
*Surf Clam (Nimaigai)*	No risk
*Manila Clam (Nimaigai)*	No risk
*Cockle (Torigai)*	No risk
*Oyster (Kaki)*	No risk
*Mussels (Murasakiigai)*	No risk

Other

Name	Risks
*Monkfish Liver (Ankimo)*	Parasites ^[3]
Sturgeon Roe (Caviar)	No risk
*Salmon Roe (Ikura)*	No risk
*Flying Fish Roe (Tobiko)*	No risk
*Capelin Roe (Masago)*	No risk

Notes

Farmed salmon are significantly lower risk for parasites because their feed is often parasite-free pellets. A survey of studies on parasite infection in salmon found 0% parasite infection in any samples of farmed salmon, but anywhere from 65-100% of wild salmon samples.
Escolar can cause gastric distress after consuming even a normal-sized portion.
Ankimo (monkfish liver) is usually cooked, eliminating the risk of parasites.

Missing a fish you'd like to see on this list? Email faq@sushimodern.com.