Orange Roughy vs Tilapia Comparison: What’s The Difference

orange roughy vs tilapia
orange roughy vs tilapia

From selecting the fishing gear to modifying the technique, you might need to adapt to different settings while trying to catch a particular type of fish.

As a beginner angler, it can be quite overwhelming to get a hold of all the different methods.

So, you should rely on expert opinion and try going with your local experts a few times a week. This will help increase your experience substantially and help you grow as an angler.

There are many popular types of fish that can be bought from the market.

However, to make an informed decision, you should do some research on the nutritional content and health benefits. So, let’s cover some of the aspects of Orange Roughy vs Tilapia.

You should note that both of these are great options that people can go for but there are also some similarities.

These are usually the main reason why so many people get confused between the two varieties. Hence, if you are having the same problem when trying to select between them then going through this article should help you out.

If done properly, then making a decision should be a lot easier.

Comparing Orange Roughy vs Tilapia

Types Of Fish Orange Roughy Fish Tilapia Fish
Vitamin E Per 100 Grams 1.2 Milligrams 0.4 Milligrams
Selenium Per 100 Grams 66.7 Micrograms 41.8 Micrograms
Magnesium Per 100 Grams 17 Milligrams 27 Milligrams
Phosphorus Per 100 Grams 107 Milligrams 170 Milligrams
Potassium Per 100 Grams 167 Milligrams 302 Milligrams
Vitamin B3 Per 100 Grams 1.53 Milligrams 3.903 Milligrams
Vitamin B12 Per 100 Grams 0.38 Micrograms 1.58 Micrograms

Orange Roughy

The primary difference between the Orange Roughy and Tilapia is the amount of mercury. As compared to Tilapia, the life span for Orange Roughy can be ten times more.

On the one hand, Tilapia can live for around a decade max. On the other hand, Orange Roughy can live up to a century.

So, there is a possibility that the Orange Roughy meat available in the market was alive for several decades.

With that said, this increased lifetime allows this fish to absorb high amounts of mercury.

orange roughy

When compared to the charts, the Orange Roughy is categorized as fish that has an extensive amount of mercury.

At the same time, Tilapia has substantially lower amounts of mercury and is categorized much lower on the chart with cod and ocean perch.

So, to stay on the safe side, it would be better if you could avoid this fish and look towards other alternatives on the market.

As far as the size of this fish is concerned, it is comparable to Tilapia and can be somewhat larger in some cases.

The color of the fish and the overall structure is also another giveaway when you’re trying to differentiate Tilapia from Orange Roughy.

Depending upon the environment, this fish maintains different shades of orange.

On the other hand, Tilapia brings the standard greyish-green color to the table.

The taste of this fish is also similar to Tilapia, but some people have pointed out a mild sweetness to the flavor. Luckily, you can mask the sweetness easily by modifying the proportion of spices within the recipe.

Orange Roughy is harder to find in the market, and you will probably have to pay more to get this fish for your diet plan. This variety usually has a mild flavor that is flakey.

This also stays moist if you bake it properly, but this mostly depends on the style of cooking you go for.

red tilapia

It is recommended that you try using different techniques first as it helps in getting the best possible taste. People can usually test around using different recipes so that they can find one that best suits their palate.

It is also important that you alter recipes according to your taste.

With time, you should be able to find different recipes and cooking styles that can be used to prepare Orange Roughy.

Keep in mind that your choice might vary from other users which is why it is essential that you try testing around a little.

Another thing people should focus on is the area they are trying to catch these varieties from. In most cases, tilapia can be found at a much cheaper price, but the main issue is that the variable contains tons of impurities in its meat.

This is why it is often recommended that you avoid eating them.

Tilapia

As compared to the Orange Roughy, there are substantially fewer amounts of mercury in this fish.

However, even though the amount of mercury is less, that doesn’t mean you should jump on this fish and add it to your meal plan.

Tilapia maintains a poor reputation because of its lower omega-three content. It doesn’t provide nearly as much omega-three fats when compared with other alternatives on the market.

So, if you’re into health and fitness, Tilapia might not be such a good choice for you.

Most Tilapia comes from farms and maintains a sufficient supply from overseas.

Sadly, these overseas farms don’t give any attention to the sanitation of the environment and just try to boost the growth rate by using different chemicals.

tilapia

The chemical waste and toxins get absorbed by the fish and then impact the health of the consumers. So, this fish is just as dangerous to your health as Orange Roughy.

However, if you’re able to find a reliable supplier that offers wild-caught Tilapia on a consistent basis, then this fish is a viable option.

Aside from the mild flavor and superior texture, this fish brings a unique depth to your recipe.

It is affordable and doesn’t add much strain to your budget. So, you can sustainably add this fish to your diet without worrying about harmful effects.

Unfortunately, it is quite difficult to find a reliable supplier, and for most people, it is better to look towards alternatives like Cod or Perch.

All in all, both of these fish don’t bring a satisfactory value proposition to the table.

You won’t get any substantial health benefits from this fish. It is likely that consuming these fish will negatively impact your health.

So, to stay on the safe side, try asking your local experts about what fish better suits an overall diet.

If you happen to find a reliable supplier, then getting tons of Tilapia should not be a problem. On the other hand, if you are still running into the same issue then you might consider trying to catch some Tilapia on your own.

When it comes to this, there are several things that should be kept in mind.

The first thing that you need to understand is how fresh Tilapia can be told apart from wild ones. This can take some time but once you know the process, it should be much easier.

The best way to tell the varieties apart is by looking at their fins.

tilapia

If you notice that the condition of the fins is damaged, and brittle then it indicates that the fish might be raised on farms.

This is because these varieties don’t have enough space to move around which causes them to get hurt over time.

On the other hand, the fins of Tilapia growing in the wild are usually soft and round. This is a clear indication that the fish has been roaming around freely.

If you are still confused, then try looking at the color of the meat found in these varieties.

The wild Tilapia should have a lighter color on their meat while the ones raised on farms should have a darker color. This is another easy way to differentiate between these two fish.

With that being said, the information provided above should be enough for most people to make a decision.

If you are still confused, then try out both of these fish and then determine which one suits you better.

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