Mahi mahi is a fish that has fins and scales, which means that it is a kosher species. (This is despite the fact that it is also known as “dolphinfish,” and dolphins are 100% non-kosher mammals.)

Seems simple enough.

But it’s not that simple, because fish are often mislabeled and you have no way of knowing which fish you are actually holding. Just because a package says “mahi mahi” doesn’t mean that’s what you’re getting.

So here’s what you need to know:

If you catch a mahi mahi (or buy one whole) and you see the fins and scales, go home and cook it up in your kosher kitchen for a tasty kosher meal. The same applies if you are purchasing mahi mahi from a kosher-certified shop or in a sealed package bearing kosher certification.

If you are purchasing fresh mahi mahi from a non-kosher establishment, ask to see the skin still on the fish to make sure there are actual scales, and then ask the store employee to clean the knife well and cut your slice of fish on a fresh sheet of paper. You should then carefully wash the part of the fish that has been cut in water that is no warmer than room temperature.

Unlike meat or fowl, fish does not have to be slaughtered or salted, so nothing more needs to be done to make your meal kosher.

Bon appetit!