The problem is that not every fish is equally appropriate for every diner or every situation.
Some species are relatively high in mercury.
Some restaurant dishes may be heavily fried or covered in rich sauces.
Some menu names are vague enough that you don’t really know which species you’re ordering.
And some seafood choices raise sustainability concerns.
So rather than thinking of this as a list of fish that are “bad,” it’s more useful to think of it as a list of fish that may deserve extra attention when you’re eating out.
Here are 10 fish you may want to think twice about—and some alternatives that can make ordering seafood easier.
## 1. Swordfish
Swordfish is popular for a reason.
Its thick, meaty texture makes it feel more like a steak than a delicate fish fillet. It’s often grilled, seared, or served with vegetables and a lemon-based sauce.
But swordfish is also one of the species that can contain relatively high levels of mercury.
