Behind the Counter
What Happens to Fish That Does Not Sell at Saranda's Fish Counter
Every evening when Fish Shop Ardit closes, whatever is left on the counter does not go back into a refrigerator to be sold tomorrow. It is sold off at reduced prices in the last hour, given to family, or discarded. The next morning starts fresh.
Why this matters
The alternative — what some sellers do — is refrigerate unsold fish overnight and present it again the next day. A one-day-old fish looks very similar to a same-day fish to an untrained eye. The difference is detectable but not obvious.
When you buy from a counter that maintains a no-carry-over policy, you know the fish was landed that morning. When you don't know the policy, you don't know the age.
How to verify freshness yourself
- Eyes: Clear, bright, slightly convex — not cloudy or sunken
- Gills: Bright red, not brown or grey
- Skin: Firm to touch, scales attached, natural colour
- Smell: Fresh sea air, not decomposition odour
- Flesh: Springs back when pressed, no indent
End of day deals
If you arrive between 7 and 10 PM you may find reduced prices on remaining stock. Still that day's catch — just pieces not sold during the main morning/afternoon period. A legitimate deal worth checking if you are flexible about species.
Rruga Idriz Alidhima 230, Sarande - Open every day 8:30 AM to 10 PM