"Is belt fish kosher?"
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Belt fish is not kosher because it does not have the removable scales required by Jewish dietary law.
Quick Facts
- Kosher fish must possess both fins and removable scales.
- Belt fish (also called ribbonfish or cutlassfish) has fins but no true scales.
- It is absent from recognized kosher fish lists such as Chabad and Kashrut.com.
AI Consensus
Models Agreed
- All models state that belt fish lacks scales, disqualifying it from kosher status.
- All agree that kosher fish require both fins and removable scales.
Quick Answer
No, belt fish is not kosher. The species lacks the removable scales that are a mandatory requirement for a fish to be considered kosher.
Why Scales Matter
Jewish law (kashrut) defines a kosher fish as one that has:
- Fins – a clear, external fin structure.
- Scales – scales that can be removed without tearing the skin (Leviticus 11:9) 14.
If either element is missing, the fish is disqualified.
Belt Fish Characteristics
- Common names: belt fish, ribbonfish, cutlassfish.
- Physical traits: It possesses fins but does not have true scales; its skin is smooth and scaleless 23.
- Halachic commentary: Sources explicitly note that “beltfish have no scales and make no effort whatever to be kosher” 2.
Kosher Fish Lists
Comprehensive kosher fish lists (e.g., Chabad.org, Kashrut.com) do not include belt fish, confirming its non‑kosher status 14.
Bottom Line
Because belt fish lacks the required scales, it fails the fundamental kosher criterion and is therefore not kosher.
Key Takeaway: A fish must have both fins and removable scales to be kosher; belt fish only has fins.
AI can make mistakes. Verify important information.