Guide to Kosher-Certified Fish

Last updated 05/22/13

Fins and scales - Fish with both fins and scales are Kosher. Fish with only fins are not Kosher. Of the four types of scales—ctenoid, cycloid, ganoid and placoid—according to law, only ctenoid and cycloid scales are valid; sturgeon scales are ganoid, and shark scales are placoid. The scales must indeed be removable without damaging the fish's skin. As the law says, 'You may eat fish; whatever has fins and scales you may eat...' Bony tubercle, plate-like or spiny scales can only be removed by removing part of the skin; they are not the scales we are talking about here. Some fish with such scales, such as eel, loach, shark, sturgeon and swordfish, are not Kosher fish.

Shellfish, mammals and eggs - All shellfish and mammals (such as whales and dolphins) are not Kosher. Only Kosher fish roe, such as fish eggs or caviar, is permitted, so supervision is necessary.

Fresh fish and fillets - Care must be taken when buying fresh, whole fish, fillets or frozen related products, because it is possible to buy non-Kosher fish, or fish contaminated by non-Kosher fish residue on knives and cutting boards.

Fish sticks may have three problems: the fish, the oil, and the frying utensils and equipment (usually used for non-Kosher fish as well as Kosher fish).

Blood - There is no prohibition on consuming fish blood, except that people may think a person is eating prohibited blood, in which case a sign must be posted indicating that the blood is fish blood. Ritual slaughter is not required.

For more information about fish, see the frequently asked questions about Kosher fish in the Kosher articles!

List of Kosher fish and non-Kosher fish

Important disclaimer! Please read!

This list can only serve as a general guide, because many Kosher fish species share names with other species that are not necessarily Kosher fish. Consumers should be careful when buying fish to ensure that the fish they buy is indeed Kosher fish.

These lists of Kosher fish and non-Kosher fish were compiled by Dr. James Atz, Curator at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and Dr. Biblis Bibili, Dean of the Department of Ichthyology.

New York 10024.

Special thanks to the Orthodox Union of America for allowing us to reprint this list!

List of Kosher fish

Albacore see: Mackerel

Alewife see: Herring

Amberjack see: Jacks

Anchovies (Engraulidae). These include: European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus), Northern California anchovy (Engraulis mordax).

Angelfish and butterflyfish (Chaetodontidae). These include: Angelfish (Holacanthus species, Pomacanthus species).

ama or reineta, whose Latin names are lepidotus australis or lepidotus raii)

Atlantic Pomfret or Ray's bream (Brama brama); barracudas and kakus (Sphyraena species).

Ballyhoo see: Flying fish

Barracuda (Sphyraenidae)

Bass see Sea bass. Temperate bass, Sunfish, Drums

Bigeyes (Priacanthidae family). Includes: bigeye or true bigeye (Priacanthus species).

Blackfish see: Carp, Sea chubs

Blacksmith fish see: Damselfish

Blueback see: Flounders, Herring, Trout

Bluefish or snapper blue (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Bluegill see: Sunfish

Blue marlin

Bocaccio see: Scorpionfish

Bombay duck (Harpadon nehereus)

Bonefish (Al)

ito fish see: Cobia, Mackerel

Bowfin, Bowfish, freshwater fish or (Amia calva)

am see: Carp, Atlantic Pomfret, P

Brill: Flounders

Buffalo fish see: Suckers

Burbot see: Cod

Butterfish (Stromateidae family), includes: Butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus); Pacific pompano (Peprilus simillimus); harvestfish (Peprilus species)

Butterflyfish see: Angelfish

Cabrilla fish see: Sea bass

Calico bass see: Sunfish

Capelin see: Smelts

Carp and minnows (Cyprinidae), include: carp, leather carp, mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio); crucian carp (Carassius); goldfish (Carassius auratus); tench (Tinca tinca); Splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus); Sacramento blackfish or hardhead (Orthodon microlepidotus); freshwater bream (Abramis species, Blicca species); roach (Rutilus rutilus).

Carosucker see: Suckers

Caviar (must come from Kosher fish) see: Trout and whitefish (salmon), Lumpsuckers (non-Kosher), Sturgeons (non-Kosher).

Cero see: Mackerel

Channel bass see: Drums

Char see: Trout

Chilipepper see: Sea bass

Chinook salmon see: Trout

Chub see: Trout, Sea chubs

Cichlids (Family Cichlidae), include: Tilapia (Tilapia species); Mozambique mouthbrooder (Tilapia mossambica); Cichlids (Cichlasoma species); Rio Grande perch (Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum)

Cigarfish see: Jacks

Cisco see: Trout

Coalfish see: Cod

Cobia, cabio, black bonito (Rachycentron canadum)

Cod, varieties, black, blue or black. See: Greenlings, Sablefish

Cod (Family Gadidae), includes: cod (Gadus morhua), Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus); Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus); Pollock, saithe, coalfish (Pollachius virens); Walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma); Hakes (Urophycis species); Whiting (Merlangius merlangus); Blue whiting or poutassou (Micromesistius poutassou); Tomcods or frostfish (Microgadus species).

Coho salmon see: Trout

Corbina or Corvina, see: Drums

Cottonwick see: Grunts

Crappie see: Sunfish

Crevalle see: Jacks

Croaker see: Drums

Crucian carp see: Carp

Cubbyu see: Drums

Cunner see: Wrasses

Dab see: Flounders

Damselfish (Pomacentridae)