How to Choose a Fresh Fish Knowing how to choose fresh fish is a vital skill for a seafood cook. But buying fresh fish is easy if you know what to look for. Here are some tips on choosing fresh fish. First, look for bright, clear eyes. The eyes are the window to a truly fresh fish, for they fade quickly into gray dullness. Dull-eyed fish may be safe to eat, but they are past their prime. Next, look at and touch the fish. Does it shine? Does it look metallic and clean? Or has it dulled or has discolored patches on it? If so, it is marginal. Third, smell it. A fresh fish should smell like clean water, or a touch briny or even like cucumbers. Under no circumstances should you buy a nasty smelling fish. Cooking won't improve it. Last, look at the gills. They should be a rich red. If the fish is old, they will turn the color of faded brick.