THE BAIS HAVAAD HALACHA JOURNAL: Volume 5776 Issue XXXIV Bechukosai IS THIS FISH KOSHER? How to determine the Kashrus of fish By: OU Kosher HALACHA YOMIS FOR RAV BELSKY ZT"L

Q. How do I know if a fish is kosher? A. The Torah (Vayikra 11:9) describes a kosher fish as one that has “snapir v’kaskeses,” fins and scales. Ramban (Vayikra 11:9) defines the scales as ones which can be removed without ripping skin; scales which cannot be removed without tearing skin, such as those on sharks, are not considered scales according to halachah. The Gemara (Chulin 66b) states that all fish which have scales have fins as well. As such, in order to know that a fish is kosher all one would need to do is determine that it has scales which can be removed without tearing the skin of the fish.