Soft snapper flesh

 Hey guys just wondering if any one has had snapper that the flesh once cooked has gone mushi and soft to the point it just fall apart?

had a few boys say they have had down here in bunno and I got one yesti that was very average on the plate.

does anyone have any ideas why?


Posts: 126

Date Joined: 07/12/15

Mushy Flesh

Mon, 2016-03-21 10:43

 Yeah, i've had similar with snapper a few times.  I notice when filleting, my fingers would just sink into the flesh.  Happened 3 or 4 times.  I think it's just luck of the draw.  I treat my fish pretty well after capture ie. catch, bleed and into salt water ice slurry within 30 seconds of coming overboard.  Most my snapper catches have been from Jurien Bay, so i don't think limited to Bunbury.

Like you, i'd been keen to know why and if there's any signs to tell before they go into the esky.

crasny1's picture

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Date Joined: 16/10/08

Might ask our expert Glenn

Mon, 2016-03-21 11:22

But I suspect (have read somewhere) it is conditioning failure after a hard time during spawning

PS Have pmed Glenn Moore

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chris raff's picture

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Date Joined: 09/02/10

 Hopefully it’s a rare event

Mon, 2016-03-21 11:27

 Hopefully it’s a rare event .. and it’s not the same parasite that gets into the sambos and ytks that would not be good 

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mallesh's picture

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I believe Carnarvonite explained this on other tread last year

Mon, 2016-03-21 11:35

As Crasny said its conditioning failure after hard time spawning.

Cobbs, can you please confirm with your mates all the fish came from the same area.

We did have the same problem last year from fish caught at Bernier Island (mid June).

I will leave it with the experts to confirm.

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crasny1's picture

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Date Joined: 16/10/08

Tah mate

Mon, 2016-03-21 11:37

Remember reading it somewhere, and I think it was Carnarvonite that explained it.
Lucky us humans don't suffer the same, but the brain does get a little scrambled after "spawning"!!!

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"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk

southpoint's picture

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Date Joined: 30/03/11

Worms

Mon, 2016-03-21 11:51

There is also a fine little blacky / red worm that sometimes you find in snapper "mushy fish worms" they have a proper scientific name which escpaes me today but they are harmless just make the flesh mushy and soft... horrible to eat but safe if your desperate

Cobbs's picture

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Date Joined: 13/05/15

 Yeah thanks guys, all the

Mon, 2016-03-21 13:03

 Yeah thanks guys, all the fish from my mates where in deeper water late in the year . This is my first one Iv had and it's only early in season for spawning in shallows off Bunbury .

Glenn Moore's picture

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Date Joined: 13/02/12

not sure

Mon, 2016-03-21 15:49

Out of my area of expertise for sure, but I think it can be caused by a myxosporean parasite that has protease enzymes which are activated with temperature and break down the proteins in the muscle.  I think it is harmless but just ruins the flesh.  Not sure if it affects snapper or how prevalent it is in colder waters though.  Otherwise, might need to run it by someone out at Fisheries Aquatic Health Unit

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Glenn Moore

Curator of Fishes

Western Australian Museum

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