Since fish are poikilothermal,
their metabolism and the commensal
bacterial flora of their skin, gills and intestines
are adapted to lower temperatures than those
of mammals. Hence, chilling has less effect on
slowing spoilage when compared with chilled
red meat and poultry, especially for fish
caught in temperate and polar regions, whereas
chilled fish caught in tropical waters tend to
spoil more slowly, since the initial micro flora
is not adapted to growing in chilled conditions