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Is Swordfish kosher?

No — Swordfish is not kosher under Jewish dietary law.

Not kosher according to the Orthodox Union, Chabad, and most Orthodox authorities: adult swordfish lose their juvenile scales and are scaleless at market size. Some Conservative authorities disagree; Orthodox practice does not accept swordfish.

Swordfish (Xiphias gladius)

Image: Photo by Naturalis Biodiversity Center · licensed CC0 · source

Scientific name
Xiphias gladius
Hebrew name
דג חרב
Also known as
Broadbill
Category
scaleless
Fins & scales
Fins ✓ , no scales ✗
Kosher status
Not kosher

About Swordfish

Large, predatory fish with a long, flat, pointed bill. Juvenile swordfish have scales; adults do not.

Kosher ruling

Not kosher according to the Orthodox Union, Chabad, and most Orthodox authorities: adult swordfish lose their juvenile scales and are scaleless at market size. Some Conservative authorities disagree; Orthodox practice does not accept swordfish.

Source: Orthodox Union, Chabad

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