How to Clean Small Fish

To begin, Cover the fish with water and leave them to soak. Have two bowls ready. To clean the fish, take the fish in both hands with its spine facing up. Put your thumb and index finger of your right hand just below the head where the head separates from the body. Hold the body in your left hand. Do the opposite if you are left handed. Squeeze firmly and gently just below the head with your thumb and index finger of your right hand and pull down and along the length of the body. The head should come off and you should be able to pull out the guts still attached to the head. There may be some left behind. Push with your thumb along the length of the inside of the fish, being careful not to stick your thumb along any of the bones. Place the head and guts in one bowl and the cleaned fish in another. Repeat. Once you have cleaned as many fish as you desire, rinse the cleaned fish many times before cooking. Take the other parts and feed them to your cat or use them for fertilizer. Get rid of them immediately or freeze them, however. They will make your house smell very bad, very quickly.

Small fish can be eaten without being de-boned. They are excellent fried.