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Is Moray eel kosher?

No — Moray eel is not kosher under Jewish dietary law.

Not kosher. Like other eels, morays lack the removable scales required by kashrut.

Moray eel (Muraenidae)

Image: Photo by Nhobgood Nick Hobgood · licensed CC BY-SA 3.0 · source

Scientific name
Muraenidae
Also known as
Moray, Green moray, Spotted moray
Category
scaleless
Fins & scales
Fins ✓ , no scales ✗
Kosher status
Not kosher

About Moray eel

Family of eels (Muraenidae) found in tropical and temperate seas, known for their snake-like bodies and powerful jaws. The giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) is a species of moray eel and a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae. In terms of body mass, it is the largest moray eel; however, the slender giant moray is the largest in terms of body length. The giant moray (Gymnothorax javanicus) is a species of moray eel and a species of marine fish in the family Muraenidae. In terms of body mass, it is the largest moray eel; however, the slender giant moray is the largest in terms of body length. Description As the name suggests, the giant moray is a large eel, reaching up to a little over 3m (10 feet) in length and 30 kg (66 lb) in weight. Its elongated body is brownish in color. While juveniles are tan in color with large black spots, adults have black specks that grade into leopard-like spots behind the head. Distribution and habitat The giant moray is widespread in the Indo-Pacific region, being found from eastern coast of Africa, Red Sea included, to the Pitcairn group, Hawaiian Islands and also Polynesia, north to southern Japan and south to New Caledonia, Fiji and the Austral Islands. It lives in lagoons and on the outer slopes of coral reefs. During the day, it sits sheltered in crevices between 1 and 50 meters deep. Biology The giant moray is carnivorous and nocturnal, hunting its prey within the reef. It is known to engage in cooperative hunting with the roving coral grouper (Plectropomus pessuliferus). These...

Kosher ruling

Not kosher. Like other eels, morays lack the removable scales required by kashrut.

Source: Orthodox Union; Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0); Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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