Is Doctorfish kosher?

Doctorfish is kosher according to Jewish dietary law.

What is the scientific name of Doctorfish?

The scientific name of Doctorfish is Acanthurus chirurgus.

Does Doctorfish have fins and scales?

Yes. Doctorfish has both fins and removable scales, which is the requirement set in Leviticus 11:9-12 and Deuteronomy 14:9-10 for a fish to be considered kosher.

Can I eat Doctorfish sushi or sashimi?

If Doctorfish is prepared in a kosher kitchen with kosher utensils and ingredients, Doctorfish sushi or sashimi can be kosher. Always verify the kosher certification of the restaurant or preparation source.

Where can I find more information about whether Doctorfish 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.

Doctorfish

Acanthurus chirurgus

Kosher

Has fins and scales

Fins Yes

Scales Yes

Description

The doctorfish tang, also known as the doctorfish, is a species of marine ray-finned fish belonging to the family Acanthuridae, the surgeonfishes, unicornfishes and tangs. These fishes are found in the western Atlantic Ocean.

The doctorfish lives among rocky outcrops and coral reefs in the Atlantic, from Massachusetts to Brazil, plus the tropical west coast of Africa. It's been recorded twice in the Mediterranean.

Also known as

Doctorfish Tang
Lancetfish

Kosher Doctorfish in foreign languages

Scientific	Acanthurus chirurgus
Spanish	Doctor
Portuguese	Peixe-cirurgião
French	Chirurgien Docteur
Chinese	小帶刺尾魚

Gallery

Doctorfish — Alive — Alive · MChGilbert / CC BY-SA 4.0

Warnings & Kosher Issues

Kosher. The doctorfish is a surgeonfish with fins and scales.
Sharp tail spines. It has scalpel-like spines on the base of the tail that can cut when the fish is handled.
The alias lancetfish is wrong. The true lancetfish is a separate deep-sea fish (genus Alepisaurus).