Tang is kosher according to Jewish dietary law.

What is the scientific name of Tang?

The scientific name of Tang is Acanthurus species.

Does Tang have fins and scales?

Yes. Tang 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 Tang sushi or sashimi?

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

Tang

Acanthurus species

Kosher

Has fins and scales

Fins Yes

Scales Yes

Description

Tangs (genus Acanthurus) live in tropical oceans worldwide, especially around coral reefs, with most species in the Indo-Pacific. They graze algae on the reef, often in schools.

Also known as

Surgeonfish
Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Unicornfish

Kosher Tang in foreign languages

Scientific	Acanthurus species
Hebrew	בתרן
Arabic	حسفلة
German	Echte Doktorfische
Greek	Ακανθούρος
Russian	Рыбы-хирурги
Chinese	刺尾鱼属
Japanese	クロハギ属
Thai	ปลาขี้ตังเบ็ด
Indonesian	Botana

Gallery

Tang — Whole on ice — Whole on ice · Dennis Tang / CC BY-SA 2.0

Warnings & Kosher Issues

Kosher. Tangs are ray-finned fish with fins and scales.
They are surgeonfish, with a sharp, scalpel-like spine on each side of the tail base that can cause a serious cut when handled.
As reef grazers, tangs and other surgeonfish can carry ciguatera toxin in tropical areas.