Jacksmelt is kosher according to Jewish dietary law.

Does Jacksmelt have fins and scales?

Yes. Jacksmelt 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 Jacksmelt sushi or sashimi?

If Jacksmelt is prepared in a kosher kitchen with kosher utensils and ingredients, Jacksmelt 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 Jacksmelt 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.

Jacksmelt

Kosher

Has fins and scales

Fins Yes

Scales Yes

Description

Jacksmelt is caught for food and valued for its mild flavor and flaky texture. It's also sometimes used as bait.

Jacksmelt (Atherinopsis californiensis) lives along the Pacific coast from Yaquina Bay, Oregon, down to Bahia Magdalena in Baja California Sur, Mexico. It schools in shallow water near sandy beaches and kelp forests, plus bays and estuaries, usually shallower than about 29 meters.

Also known as

California smelt
Blue smelt
Horse smelt
Silverside
Pescado del rey

Warnings & Kosher Issues

Kosher. Jacksmelt is a silverside with fins and scales.
Commonly confused with the topsmelt silverside (Atherinops affinis).