Commentary for Avodah Zarah 79:2
איתמר רב הונא אמר עד שתהא ראש ושדרה ניכר רב נחמן אמר או ראש או שדרה מתיב רב עוקבא בר חמא ובדגים כל שיש לו סנפיר וקשקשת אמר אביי כי תניא ההיא בארא' ופלמודא דדמו רישייהו לטמאים
It has been stated: R. Huna said: So long as the head and backbone are recognizable. R. Nahman said: Either the head or the backbone. R. Ukba b. Hama objected: [We learned] with regard to fish, only such as have fins and scales [may be eaten]! Abaye said: When that mishnah was taught, it referred to the ara’a and the palmuda fish, the heads of which resemble those of unclean fish.
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
R. Huna and R. Nahman argue over whether both the head and backbone need to be recognizable or whether one is sufficient. But R. Ukba argues that the kashrut of fish is determined by their having fins and scales, not by their heads or backbones. Abaye answers that while, of course, kosher fish need to have fins and scales, the fish can usually be told apart by their heads. If their heads are the same as unclean fish, then one will need to examine the fins and scales. But if we know the head belongs to a kosher fish, then the fish can be eaten.
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