Crayfish is not kosher according to Jewish dietary law. Not kosher. Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans related to lobsters and share their disqualification.

What is the scientific name of Crayfish?

The scientific name of Crayfish is Astacoidea.

Does Crayfish have fins and scales?

Crayfish does not meet the requirement of having both fins and removable scales. Leviticus 11:9-12 requires fish to have both fins and scales to be considered kosher.

Can I eat Crayfish sushi or sashimi?

No. Since Crayfish is not kosher, it should not be consumed in any preparation, including sushi or sashimi.

Where can I find more information about whether Crayfish is kosher?

KosherFish.co references the Orthodox Union (OU) and Chabad lists of kosher and non-kosher fish. For specific halachic questions, consult your local Orthodox rabbi.

Crayfish

Astacoidea

Not Kosher

No fins or scales

Fins No

Scales No

Description

In most crayfish dishes only the tail is served, in soups, bisques, and etouffees. Sweden holds crayfish parties in August, and Louisiana makes crayfish a core part of Cajun cooking, producing about 100 million pounds a year.

Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans that live in running brooks and streams as well as swamps, ditches, and paddy fields. Most can't tolerate polluted water, and the greatest variety is in southeastern North America.

Also known as

Crawfish
Crawdad
Mudbug
Yabby

Crayfish in foreign languages

Scientific	Astacoidea
Arabic	جراد البحر
German	Flusskrebse
Russian	речные раки
Chinese	螯虾总科
Japanese	ザリガニ上科

Warnings & Kosher Issues

A freshwater crustacean with no fins or scales, so it is not kosher, the same as its relatives the lobsters.
In Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa the name crayfish often means saltwater spiny lobster instead.