Is It Kosher?

Fish which have fins and scales are kosher. Fish which only have fins are not kosher. Of the four types of scales — clenoid, cycloid, ganoid and placoid — only clenoid and cycloid scales are valid according to the Torah. Ganoid is the type found on sturgeon and placoid is found on shark.

The scales must be true scales that can be removed without damaging the skin of the fish. Some fish that have bony tubercles or plate-like scales that can only be removed by removing part of the skin — such as eels, lumpfish, shark, sturgeon, and swordfish — are not kosher. All shellfish and mammals (such as whales and dolphins) are not kosher.

Care must be taken when buying fresh, whole fish, filleted, or frozen, because of the possibility of substitution by non-kosher fish or of contamination by remnants of non-kosher fish. Smoked fish is frequently soaked in brine and smoked along with non-kosher fish — this soaking and smoking is tantamount to cooking, therefore the product is not kosher.

Partial list of Kosher Fish: Albacore (Tuna), Anchovies, Bass, Bluefish, Carp, Cod, Flounder, Grouper, Haddock, Halibut, Herring, Mackerel, Mullet, Perch, Pike, Pollock, Pompano, Salmon, Sardines, Snapper, Sole, Tilapia, Trout, Whitefish.

Non-Kosher Fish: Catfish, Eels, Lobster, Oysters, Shark, Shrimp, Swordfish, Sturgeon, and all shellfish.