Introduction to Kosher Fish Guide
In order for a fish to be kosher, it must have the two signs the Torah gives: the fish must have fins and scales. In order to prove a fish kosher, the scales must be visible to the naked eye and they must be easy to remove from the skin of the fish, either by hand or with an instrument.
If a fish is not completely covered in scales – it only has several scales – it is still considered kosher.
The Following is a list of Fish that are Kosher and fine to use.
– Albacore: See: Mackerel
– Alewife: See: Herring
– Amberjack: See: Jack
– Anchovies: (Family Engraulidae). Including: European anchovy (Engraulis encrasciolus), North of California anchovy (Engraulis mordax).
– Angelfish and butterfly fish: (Family Chaetodontidae). Including: Angelfish(Holacanthus species, Pomacanthus species).
– Atlantic Pomfret or Ray’s Bream: (Brama brama)
– Ballyhoo: See: Flyingfish
– Barracuda: (Family Sphyraenidae) Including: Barracuda and kakus (Sphyraena species).
– Bass, Sea Bass Temperate bass, Sunfish, Drums
– Bigeye: (Family Priacanthidae). Including: Bigeyes or aweoweos (Priacanthus species).
– Blackfish: See: Carp, Wrass
– Blacksmith: See: Damselfish
– Blueback: See: Flounder, Herring, Trout
– Bluefish or snapper blue: (Pomatomus saltarix)
– Bluegill: See: Sunfish
– Bocaccio: See: Scorpionfish
– Bombay duck (Harpadeon nehereus)
– Bonefish (Albula vulpes)
– Bonito See: Cobia, Mackerel
– Bowfin Freshwater dogfish, or grindle (Amia calva)
– Bream: See: Carp, Atlantic pomfret, Porgie
– Brill: See: Flounder
– Buffalo fish: See: Sucker
– Burbot: See: Codfish
– ButterFish: (Family Stromateidae), Including: Butterfish (Peprilus tracanthus);
Pacific pompano (Peprilus similimus); harvestfish (Peprilus species)
– Butterfly fish: See: Angelfish
– Cabrilla: See: Sea Bass
– Calico bass See: Sunfish
– Capelin See: Smelt
– Carp and minnow (Family Cyprinidae), Including: the carp, leather carp, mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio); Crucian carp (Carassius carassius); Goldfish (Carassius auratus); tench (Tinca tinca); Splittail (Pogonichthys macrolepidotus); Squawfish (Ptychocheilus species); Scramento backfish or hardhead (Orthodon microlepidotus); Freshwater bream (Abramis species, Blicca species); Roach (Rutilus rutilus).
– Carosucker See: Sucker
– Caviar (Must be from a kosher fish) See: Trout and whitefish (salmon), Lumpsucker (non kosher), Sturgeon (non kosher).
– Cero See: Mackerel
– Channel bass See: Drums
– Char See: Trout
– Chilipepper See: Scorpionfish
– Chinook salmon See: Trout
– Chup See: Trout, Sea chubs
– Cichlid (Family Chichilidae), Including: Tilapias (Tilapia species); Mozambique mouthbrooder (Tilapia mossambica); Cichlios (Cichlasoma species); Rio Grande perch (Cichlasoma cyanoguttatum)
– Cigarfish See: Jack
– Cisco See: Trout
– Coalfish See: Codfish
– Cobia, cabio, or black bonito (Rachycentron canadum) Cod, cultus, black, blue, or ling. See: Greenling, Sablefish
– Codfish (Family Gadidae), Including: Cod (Gadus morhua), Haddock (Melanogrammus aegiefinus); Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus); Pollock, saithe, or coalfish (Pollachius virens); Walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma); Hake (Urophycis species); Whiting (Meriangiu meriangus); Blue whiting or poutassou (Micromesistius poutassou); Burbot, lawyer, or freshwater ling (lota lota); Tomcods or frostfish (Microgradus species).
– Coho salmon See: Trout
– Corbina or Corvina See: Drums
– Cottonwick See: Grunts
– Crapplie See: Sunfish
– Creville See: Jack
– Croacker See: Drums
– Crucian carp See: Carp
– Cubbyu See: Drums
– Cunner See: Wrass
– Dab See: Flounder
– Damselfish (Family Pomacentridae). Including: Blacksmith (Chromis punctipinnis); Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicunda).
– Doctorfish See: Surgeonfish
– Dolly Varden See: Trout
– Dolphin fish or mahimahis (Coryphaena species) Not to be confused with the Mammal called Dolphin or Porpoise, which is non kosher.
– Drums and croaker (Family Sciaenidae), Including: Seatrout and carvina (Cynoscion species); Weakfish (Cynoscion nebulosus); White seabass (Cynoscion nobillis); Croaker (micropogon species, Bairdiella species, Odontoscion species); Silver perch (Bairdiella chyrsura); White or King croaker (Genyonemus lineatus); Black croaker (cheilottena saturnum); Spotfin croaker (Roncadorstearnsi); Yellowfin croaker(Umbrinaroncador); Drums (Pogonias species, Stellifer species, Umbrina species); Red drum or channel bass (Sciaenops ocallata); Freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens); Kingfish or king whiting (Menticirrhus species); California corbina (Menticirrhus undulatus); spot or lafayette (Leiostomus xanthurus); Queenfish (Seriphus politus); Cubbyu or ribbon fish (Equetus umbrosus).
– Eulachon See: Smelt
– Flounder (Families Bothidae and Pleuronectidae). Including: Flounder (Paralichthys species, Liopsetta species, Platichthys species,etc.); Starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus); Summer flounder or fluke (Paralichthys denatus); Yellowtail flounder (limanda ferrugina); Winter flounder, lemon sole or blackback (Pseudopleuronectes americanus); Halibut (Hippoglossus species); California halibut (Paralichthys Californicus); Bigmouth sole (Hippoglossina stomata); Butter of scalyfin sole (Isopsetta isolepis); “Dover” sole (Microstomus pacificus); “English” sole (Parophrys vetulus); Fantail sole (Xystreurys liolepis); Petrale sole (Eopsetta jordan); Rex sole (Glyptocephalus zichirus); Rock sole (Lepidopsetta bilineata); Sand Sole (Psettichthys melanostictus); Slender sole (Lyopsetta exillis); Yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera); Pacific turbots (Pleuronichthys species); Curlfin turbot or sole (Pleuronichthys decurrens); Diamond turbot (Hypsopsetta guttulata); Greenland turbot or halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides); Sanddab (Citharichthys species); Dab (Limanda species); American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides); European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa); Brill (scophthalmus rhomus). But not including: European turbot (Scophthalmus maximus or Psetta maximus).
– Fluke See: Flounder
– Flyingfish and halfbeak (Family Exocoetidae); Flyingfish (Cypselurus species, and others); Ballyhoo or balao (Hemiramphus species).
– Frostfish See: Codfish
– Gag See: Sea bass
– Garibaldi See: Damselfish
– Giant kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus)
– Gizzard shad See: Herring
– Goatfish or surmullet (Family Mullidae). Including: Goatfish (Mullus species, Pseudupeneus species); Wekes or goatfish (Mulloidichthys species, Upeneus species); Kumu (Parupeneus species); Red mullet (Mullus surmuletus).
Gobies (Family Gobidae), Including: Bigmouth sleeper or guavina (Gobiomorus dormitor); Sirajo goby (sicydium plumieri)
– Goldeye and mooneye (Hiodon alosoides and Hiodon tergisus).
– Goldfish See: Carp
– Grayling See: Trout
– Graysby See: Sea bass
– Greenling (Family Hexagrammidae), Including: Greenling (Hexagrammos species); Kelp greenling or seatrout (Hexagrammos decagrammus); Lingcod, cultus orblue cod (Ophiodonelongatus); Atkamackerel (Pleurogrammus monopterygius).
– Grindle See: Bowfin
– Grouper See: Sea bass
– Grunion See: Silversides
– Grunt (Family Pomadasyldae), Including; Grunt (Haemulon species, Pomadasys species); Margate (Haemulon album); Tomtate (Haemulon aurolineattum); Cottonwick (Haemulon melanurum); Sailors choice (Haemulon parral); Porkfish (Anisotremus virginicus); Black margate (Anisotremus surinamensis); Sargo (Anisotremus davidsoni); Pigfish (Orthopristis chrysoptera).
– Guavina See: Gobie
– Haddock See: Codfish
– Hake See also Codfish
– Hake (Family Meriucciidae), Including: Hake (Merluccius species); Silver hake or whiting (Meriuccius bilinearis); Pacific hake or meriuccio (Meriuccius productus)
– Halfbeak See: Flying fish
– Halfmoon See: Sea chubs
– Halibut See: Flounder
– Hamlet See: Sea bass
– Hardhead See: Carp
– Harvestfish See: Butterfish
– Hawkfish (Family Cirrhitidae). Including: Hawkfish (Cirrhitus species).
– Herring (Family Clupeidae), Including: Atlantic and Pacific herring (Clupae harengus subspecies); thread herring (Opisthonema species); Shads (Alosa species); Shad or glut herring, or blueback (Alosa aestivalis); Hickory shad (Alosa mediocris); Alewife or river herring (Alosa pseudoharengus); Gizzard shads (Dorosoma species); Menhaden or mossbunker (Brevoortia species); Spanish sardines (Sardineila anchovia); European sardine or pilchard (Sardina pilchardus); Pacific sardine or pilchard (Sardinops sagax); Spart (Sprattus sprattus)
– Hind: See: Sea bass
– Hogchocker See: Sole
– Hogfish: See: Wrass
– Horse mackerel: See: Jack
– Jack Mackerel See: Jack
– Jack and Pompanos: (Family Charangidae) Including: Pompanos, palometas, and permits (Trachionotus species); Amberjacks and yellowtails (Seriola species); California yellowtail (Seriola dorsalls); Scads and cigarfish (Decapterus species, Selar species, Trachurus species); Jack mackerel or horse mackerel (Trachurus symmetricus); Jacks and uluas (Caranx species, Carangoides species); Crevalles (Caranx species); Blue runner (Caranx crysos); Rainbow runner (Elagatis bipinnulata); Moonfish (Vomer species); Lookdown (Selene vomer); Leatherback or lae (Scomberoides sanctipetri); BUT NOT INCLUDING: Leatherjacket (Oligoplites saurus).
– Jacksmelt: See: Silverside
– Jewfish: See: Sea bass
– John Dory: (Zeus faber)
– Kelpfish: See: Giant Kelpfish
– Kingfish: See: Drum, mackerel,
– Ladyfish, or tenpounder (Elops saurus)
– Lafayette: See: Drum
– Lake Herring: See: Trout
– Lance or Launce: See: Sand lance
– Largemouth bass: See: Sunfish
– Lawyer: See: Codfish
– Leatherback: See: Jack
– Lingcod: See: Greenling
– Lizardfish: (Family Synodontidae)
– Lookdown: See: Jack
– Mackerel: See also: Jack
– Mackerel, Atka: See: Greenling
– (Family Scombridae), Including: Mackerel (Scomber species, Scomberomorus species, Auxis species); Spanish mackerel, cero, and sierra (Scomberomorus species); King mackerel or kingfish (Scomberomorus cavalla); Bonitos (Sarda species); Wahoo (Acanthocybius solanderi); tuna (Thunnus species, Euthynnus species); Skipjack tuna (Euthynnus or Katsuwonus species); Albacore (thunnus alalunga) But not including: Snake mackerel
– Mahimahi: See: Dolphin fish
– Margate: See: Grunt
– Menhaden: See: Herring
– Menpachii: See: Squirrelfish
– Merluccio: See: Hake
– Milkfish or awa: (Chanos chanos)
– Mojarras: (Family Gerreidae) including: Mojarras (Eucinostomus species, Gerres species, Diapterus species)
– Monkeyface Prickleback: (Cebidichthys violaceus)
– Mooneye: See: Goldeye
– Moonfish: See: Jack
– Mossbunker: See: Herring
– Mouthbrooder: See: Cichlid
– Mullet: See: Goatfish
– Mullets: (Farnily Mugilidae) including: Mullets and amaamas (Mugil species); Uouoa (Neomyxus chaptallii); Mountain mullets or dajaos (agonostomus species)
– Muskellunge: See: Pike
– Mutton hamlet: See: Sea bass
– Muttonfish: See: Snapper
– Needlefish: (Family Beslonidae) Needlefish or marine gars (strongylura species, Tylosuru species)
– Opaleye: See: Sea club
– Palometa: See: Jack
– Parrotfish: (Family Scaridae) including: Parrotfish and uhus (Scarus species, Siparisoma species)
– Perch: See also: Temperate basses, Drums, Cichlid, Surfperch, Scorpionfish Perches (Family Percidae) including: Yellow perch (Perca flavescens); Walleye, pike perch, or yellow or blue pike (Stizostedion vitreum); Sauget (Stizostedion canadense)
– Permit: See: Jack
– Pickerel: See: Pike
– Pigfish: See: Grunt
– Pike: See also: Perch
– Pike: (Family Esocidae) including; Pike (esox lucius); Pickerel (Esox species); Muskellunge (esox masquinongy)
– Pikeperch: See: Perch
– Pilchard: See: Herring
– Pinfish: See: Porgie
– Plaice: See: Flounder
– Pollock: See Codfish
– Pomfret: See: Atlantic Pomfret
– Pompano: See: Jack, Butterfish
– Porgie and sea bream: (Family Sparidae). Including: Porgie (Calamus species, Diplodus species, Pagrus species); Scup (Stenotomus chrysops); Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides); Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus)
– Porkfish: See: Gruntt
– Poutassou: See: Codfish
– Prickleback: See: Monkeyface prickleback, Rockprickleback (non kosher).
– Queenfish: See: Drum
– Quillback: See: Sucker
– Rabalo: See: Snook
– Ray’s bream: See: Atlantic pomfret
– Red snapper: See: Snapper Redfish See: Scorpionfish, Wrass
– Roach: See: Carp
– Rock bass: See: Sunfish
– Rockhind: See: Sea bass
– Rockfish: See: Scorpionfish. Temperate bass
– Rosefish: See: Scorpionfish
– Rudderfish: See: Sea chub
– Runner: See: Jack
– Sablefish or black cod (Anoplopoma fimbria)
– Sailors choice: See: Grunt Saithe See: Codfish
– Salmon: See: Trout
– Sand lance, launce: (A mmodytes species)
– Sardine: See: Herring
– Sargo: See: Grunt
– Sauger: See: Perch
– Scad: See: Jack
– Scamp: See: Sea bass
– Schoolmaster: See: Snapper
– Scorpionfish: (family Scorpaenidae), Including: Scorpionfish (Scorpaena species); California scorpionfish or sculpin (Scorpaena guttata); Nohus (Scorpaenopsis species); Redfish, rosefish, or ocean perch (Sebasters marinus); rockfish (Sebasters species, Sebastodes species); Pacific ocean perch (Sebastes alutus); Chilipepper (Sebastes goodel); Bocaccio (Sebastes paucipinus); Shortspine thornyhead or channel rockfish (Sebastolobus alascanus)
– Scup: See: Porgie
– Sea bass: See also: Temperate bass, drum Sea bass (Family Serranidae) including: Black sea bass (Centropristis species); Groupers (Epinephelus species, and Mycteroperca species); Rockhind (Epinephelus adscensionis); Speckled hind (Epinephelus drummondhayi); Red hind (Epinephelus guttatus); Jewfish (Epinephelus itajara); Spotted cabrilla (Epinephelus analogus); Gag (Mycteroperca microlepis); Scamp (Mycteroperca phenax); Graysby (petrometopon cruentatum); Mutton hamlet (Alphestes afer) Sand bass, kelp bass, and spotted bass (Paralabrax species)
– Sea bream: See: Porgie
– Sea chub: (Family Kyphosidae) including: Bermuda chug or rudderfish (Kyphosus sectatrix); Opaleye (Girella nigrican); Halfmoon (Medialuna californiensis)
– Seaperch: See: Surfperch
– Searobin: (Family Triglidae); Searobin (Prionotus species)
– Seatrout: See: Drum, Greenling, Steelhead
– Shad: See: Herring
– Sheepshead: See: Porgie, Wrass
– Sierra: See: Mackerel
– Silverside: (Family Athernidae) including: Whitebait, spearing, or silversides (Menidia species); California grunion (Leurusthes tenuis); Jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis); Topsmelt (Atherinops affinis)
– Sirajo goby: See: Gobie
– Skipjack: See Mackerel
– Sleeper: See Gobie
– Smallmouth: bass See Sunfish
– Smelt: (Family Osmeridae) including: Smelt (Osmerus species); Capelin (Malotus villosus); Eullachon (Thaleichthys pacificus)
– Snap: See: Bluefish
– Snapper: (Family Lutjanidae) including: Snapper (Lutjanus species); Schoolmaster (Lutjanus apodus); Muttonfish or mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis); Red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus); Yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus); Kalikali (Pristipomoides sieboldi); Opakapaka (Pristipomoides microlepis); Onaga (Etelis carbunculus)
– Snook: (Family Centropomidae) including: Snook orrabalo (Centropomus species)
– Sockeye salmon: See: Trout
– Sole: See also: Flounder
– Soles: (Family Soleidae), Including: Sole or true sole (solea solea); Lined sole (Achirus lineatus); Hogchoker (Trinectes maculatus).
– Spadefish: (Family Ephippidae). Including: Spadefish (Chaetodipterus species)
– Spanish mackerel: See: Mackerel
– Spearing: See: Silverside
– Splittail: See: Carp
– Spot: See: Drum
– Sprat: See: Herring
– Squawfish: See: Carp
– Squirrelfish: (Family Holocentridae), Including: Squirrelfish (Holocentrus species); Menpachii (Myripristis species).
– Steelhead: See: Trout
– Striped bass: See: Temperate bass
– Sucker: (Family Catostomidae). Including: Buffalo fish (Ictiobus species); Suckers (Catostomus species, Moxostoma species); Quillback or carpsucker (Carpiodes species)
– Sunfish:(Family Centrarchidae). Including: Freshwater bass (Micropterus species); Largemouth bass (Microterus salmoides); Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui); – Sunfish (Lepomis species); Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus); Warmouth (Lepomis macrochirus); Rock bass or red eye (Ambloplites rupestris); Crappies or calico bass (Pomoxis species)
– Surfperch: (Famly Embiotocidae). Including: Surfperch (Amphistichus species, Hyperprosopon species); Seaperch (Embiotoca species, Hypsurus species, Phanerodon species, Rhacochilus species); Blackperth (Embiotoca jacksoni); Pile perch (Rhacochilus vacca); Shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata).
– Surgeonfish: (Family Acanthuridae). Including: Surgeonfish and tang (Acanthurus species, Zebrasoma species); Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirugus); Unicornfish or kalas (Naso species).
– Tang: See: Surgeonfish
– Tarpon: (Megalops atlantica)
– Tautog: See: Wrass
– Temperate bass: (Family Percichthyidae). Including: Striped bass or rockfish (morone saxatillis); Yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis); White bass (Morojne chrysops); White perch (Morone americana); Giant California sea bass (Stereolepis gigas)
–Tench See: Carp
– Tenpounder: See: Ladyfish
– Threadfins: (Family polynemidae) including: Blue bobo (Polydactylus approximans); Barbu (Polydactylus virginicus); Moi (Polydactylus sexfilis)
– Tilapia: See: Cichlid
– Tilefish: (Family Branchiostegidae) including: tilefish (Logholatilus chamaeleonticeps) Ocean whitefish (Caulolatilus princeps)
– Tomcod: See: Codfish
– Tomtate: See: Grunt
– Tomsmelt: See: Silverside
– Tripletail: (Lobotes surinamensis)
– Trout and whitefish: (Family Salmonidae) including: Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar); Pacific salmon (Oncorhtnchus species); Coho or silver salmon; sockeye, blueback or red salmon; chinook, king or spring salmon; pink or humpback salmon; chum, dog or fall salmon, Trout (Salmo species) Brown trout, rainbow trout or steelhead, cutthroat trout, golden trout, Chars (Salvelinus species); Lake trout, brook trout, Arctic char, Dolly Varden, Whitefish and cisco (coregonus species and Prosopium species); Cisco or lake herring (Corengonus artedii); chub (coregonus species); grayling (thymallus Species)
– Tuna: See: Mackerel
– Turbot: See Flounder (some non kosher)
– Unicornfish: See: Surgeonfish
– Wahoo: See: Mackerel
– Walleye: See: Perch
– Walleye pollock: See: Codfish
– Warmouth: See: Sunfish
– Weakfish: See: Drum
– WhiteFish: See: Trout, Tilefish
– Whiting: See: Codfish, Hake, Drum
– Wrass: (Family Labridae) including: Hogfish and aawas (Bodianus species); Hogfish or capitaine (Lachnolaimus maximus); Tautog or blackfish (Tautoga onitis); California sheephead or redfish (Pimelometopon pulchrum); Cunner, chogset, or bergall (Tautogolabrus adspersus)
– Yellowtail: See: Jack
– Yellowtail snapper: See Snapper
