A finfish is a fish with fins, distinguished in common seafood usage from shellfish. Fish include bony fish such as tuna and pollock and cartilaginous fish such as sharks and skates. “Finfish” is a plain-language fisheries and seafood term, not a claim that every agency or technical context uses one identical formal definition.
What does “finfish” mean?
In common seafood usage, “finfish” means fish, set apart from shellfish. The term is useful for distinguishing fish from aquatic animals grouped as shellfish, but it should not be treated as a universal formal taxonomic or regulatory definition.
Fish are diverse. NOAA Fisheries describes bony and cartilaginous fish; sharks, skates, and rays are cartilaginous fish. Fish also live in a variety of habitats, so they are not all marine.
Finfish, shellfish, and sea stars
These labels can be confusing because “shellfish” and “starfish” both contain the word “fish.” The word alone does not mean an animal is a finfish.
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| Group | What distinguishes it | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Finfish | Fish; fish include bony and cartilaginous groups. | Tuna, pollock, shark, skate |
| Shellfish | A common seafood grouping that includes mollusks. Scallops are bivalves with two shells. | Scallop, clam, oyster |
| Sea stars | Echinoderms, not fish. | Sea star, commonly called a “starfish” |
NOAA Fisheries identifies the Atlantic sea scallop as a bivalve with two shells. Shellfish is a common food and fisheries grouping, not one taxonomic group.
Are starfish actually fish?
No. Sea stars are not fish. NOAA Ocean Service states, “Sea stars, commonly called, ‘starfish,’ are not fish.” Sea stars are echinoderms, so “starfish” is a familiar common name that can be misleading.
Why does the distinction matter?
The terms help people talk clearly about seafood and animal groups. When identifying a specific seafood species, use a reliable species reference rather than assuming that a broad label such as “finfish” names one particular fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a finfish?
A finfish is a fish with fins, distinguished from shellfish in common seafood usage. The term is a plain-language description, not a universal formal definition.
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Are sharks finfish?
Yes. Sharks are cartilaginous fish, as are skates and rays.
What counts as shellfish?
Shellfish is a broad seafood grouping that includes mollusks. For example, scallops are bivalves with two shells; clams and oysters are familiar examples too.
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Are starfish finfish?
No. Sea stars, commonly called starfish, are echinoderms, not fish.
Does the word “fish” in an animal’s name mean it is a finfish?
No. “Starfish” is a common name, but sea stars are not fish. The name alone does not establish an animal’s classification.
The Bottom Line
Finfish means fish in common seafood usage, in contrast with shellfish. Fish include bony and cartilaginous groups; shellfish includes animals such as scallops, and sea stars are echinoderms—not fish.
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