Fish killing machine with open back

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Fully automatic fish killing machine, Fish cleaning and descaling machine — Fish killing machine with open back

Introduction

The vertical fully automatic open back descaling fish killing machine is a commercial fish initial processing equipment, positioned as an integrated machine for “descaling+open back/open belly+visceral removal+cleaning”.

Previously, it required several people to scale and gut the fish, processing only a few dozen or even a hundred fish per hour. Now, one operator simply puts the fish into the machine and collects the fully cleaned, cookable fish at the outlet.

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Product Specifications

The following table outlines the core specifications of our open back descaling fish killing machine. Customized configurations can be used for specific fish species or yields – contact our team for tailored solutions.

Project	Parameters
Product Name	Automatic open back descaling fish killing machine
Material	Stainless steel (SUS304/316L)
Voltage	220V/380V
Total Power	1.5kw
Output	7s /piece
Specification	1 ~ 4 kg
Weight	140kg
Overall dimensions	600×600×950mm
Transmission method	Standard stainless steel chain drive
Mobility	Four locking caster wheels

Note:

Personal manual measurement may have slight errors.

Specifications may vary due to customization. This machine supports back cutting – if abdominal cutting is required, please specify your preference when requesting a quote.

Core function (completing four processes in one feeding)

Scale removal — Fish scales are automatically washed away by the water flow, requiring no manual cleaning.

Back opening/split — The fish is split open along its back.

Innard removal — Innards are automatically discharged from the outlet with the water, without damaging the gallbladder.

Fish body cleaning — The fish is clean and has a complete and beautiful appearance after processing.

Fish scale removal mechanical components — Remove fish scales

Mechanical linkage components — Mechanical linkage

Core Components

1. Stainless Steel Housing

The entire frame and all water-contact components are fabricated from 304-grade stainless steel (Customizable 316 stainless steel). This is non-negotiable for food processing equipment — it resists corrosion from water, fish blood, and cleaning chemicals, and it meets FDA and EU food-contact material standards. Cheaper machines that use carbon steel or painted frames will rust within months in a wet environment.

2. Drive Transmission System

The machine uses a 428H standard stainless steel roller chain for power transmission. This heavy-duty chain minimizes torque fluctuation under high load — when a larger fish enters the cutting zone, the chain maintains consistent power delivery rather than slipping or stalling. This is a common failure point on cheaper machines that use lightweight or non-stainless chains.

3. Descaling Assembly

Rotating brush rollers (or blade-edge rollers depending on configuration) contact the fish body from both sides. The brush pressure is adjustable to accommodate different scale types — hard-scaled fish like grass carp need firmer contact than soft-scaled species like silver carp.

4. Cutting Blade Unit

A food-grade stainless steel blade, guided by an adjustable track, performs the back-cut. The blade depth is adjustable to match fish size, ensuring the cut opens the cavity without slicing through the spine or damaging the gallbladder.

5. Water Spray System

A built-in water spray manifold runs the full length of the processing channel. It serves two purposes: flushing scales and viscera out of the machine continuously, and rinsing the cleaned fish as it exits.

6. Caster Wheels with Locks

Four heavy-duty caster wheels — two with locking brakes — allow the machine to be repositioned for cleaning and locked in place during operation. At 140 kg, the machine is stable but movable.

How a Fish Killing Machine Work Step

The operating procedure is designed for a single worker with minimal training:

Step 1: Preparation

Connect the water supply hose and confirm the drainage outlet is positioned over a floor drain or collection tank. Verify the power connection (220V or 380V) and check that the emergency stop is accessible.

Step 2: Stun the Fish

Lightly stun the fish (a quick blow to the head) before feeding. This is a standard practice in commercial fish processing — it prevents the fish from struggling during entry, which could cause injury to the operator or misalignment in the machine.

Step 3: Feed the Fish

Hold the fish with the head facing the feed opening and the back facing up toward the cutting blade. Guide the fish into the entry slot. The machine’s rollers grip the fish and pull it through automatically.

Step 4: Machine Processing (Automatic)

When fish move in the machine, they will perform the following three operations in sequence: removing fish scales, cutting the back of the fish with a cutting blade, and removing internal organs.

Step 5: Collect the Cleaned Fish

The fully processed fish exits the discharge end. It is descaled, opened, gutted, and rinsed — ready for cooking, freezing, or packaging.

Step 6: Continuous Operation

Once the tail of the current fish has fully entered the machine, the next fish can be fed immediately. This enables continuous, cyclic operation — one fish after another without stopping the machine.

Fish killing machine Entering the fish mouth — Remove fish scales

Fish killing machine Processing observation port — Mechanical linkage

Core Components

Seafood Processing PlantsSteel Housing

High-volume fish processing facilities use fish killing machines as the first station in a production line. After killing and cleaning, fish move to portioning equipment, then to vacuum packaging for distribution. The continuous-feed design keeps the line moving without bottlenecks.

Supermarket Seafood Counters

Large supermarkets with fresh fish counters use a single fish killing machine to process customer-selected fish on demand. The compact footprint (under 0.5 m²) and caster wheels make it practical for back-of-house retail spaces.

Restaurants & Hotel Kitchens

High-volume restaurants — especially hotpot restaurants, grilled fish restaurants, and Sichuan-style boiled fish (shuizhuyu) restaurants — process dozens of fish per service. A fish killing machine reduces prep time from hours to minutes and frees kitchen staff for cooking tasks.

Wet Markets & Seafood Stalls

Fish vendors in wet markets process a steady stream of customer-selected fish throughout the day. The machine’s continuous operation handles peak-hour demand without requiring additional staff.

Institutional Kitchens

School cafeterias, hospital kitchens, military bases, and corporate dining facilities that serve fish regularly benefit from the consistency and hygiene of machine processing over manual handling.

Applicable Fish Species

The fish killing machine is designed for common freshwater and near-shore species within the 0.5–4 kg weight range:

Fish Species	Scientific Name	Typical Weight	Notes
Silver carp	Hypophthalmichthys molitrix	1–4 kg	Soft scales, easy processing
Bighead carp	Hypophthalmichthys nobilis	1.5–4 kg	Larger body, adjust blade depth
Grass carp	Ctenopharyngodon idella	1–4 kg	Hard scales, firm brush pressure
Common carp	Cyprinus carpio	0.5–3 kg	Thick scales, adjust roller pressure
Crucian carp	Carassius auratus	0.5–1.5 kg	Smaller body, lower weight range
Snakehead	Channidae	1–3 kg	Tough skin, firm settings
Mandarin fish	Siniperca chuatsi	0.5–2 kg	Premium species, gentle handling
Black carp	Mylopharyngodon piceus	2–4 kg	Large, hard scales
Largemouth bass	Micropterus salmoides	0.5–2 kg	Firm scales, clean cut

Species outside this range? We offer custom configurations for saltwater fish, eel-type species, or larger fish. Contact us with your species list and average weight.

Fish types suitable for fish killing machine

How to Choose a Fish Killing Machine: Buying Guide

1. Match the Machine to Your Fish Species

Verify that the machine’s descaling roller pressure and blade depth are adjustable for your target species. Hard-scaled fish (grass carp, black carp) require firmer brush pressure than soft-scaled species. If you process a mix of species, adjustability is essential.

2. Confirm the Weight Range

The standard machine handles 0.5–4 kg fish. If your fish fall outside this range — particularly if you process small fish (under 0.5 kg) or very large fish (over 4 kg) — you need a different model or a customized feed opening.

3. Evaluate the Transmission System

The 428H stainless steel roller chain is a proven standard for this load class. Machines using lighter chains, plastic gears, or non-stainless transmission components will fail faster under continuous use. Ask the supplier what chain standard they use.

4. Consider Back-Cutting vs. Belly-Cutting

Back-cutting opens the fish along the spine — preferred for grilling, smoking, and display. Belly-cutting opens along the ventral side — preferred for filleting and some regional cooking styles. Some machines support both; specify your preference.

5. Assess After-Sales Support

Wanzhi Machinery provides a full service process from requirements analysis through after-sales maintenance, with ISO 9001-certified manufacturing. Ask any supplier about warranty terms, spare parts availability, and remote technical support.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Daily maintenance keeps the machine hygienic and extends component life:

After Each Shift

Flush with clean water — Run the water spray system for 2–3 minutes with no fish in the machine to flush residual scales and organic matter.
Wipe down exterior surfaces — Use a food-safe sanitizing solution on all stainless steel surfaces.
Inspect the cutting blade — Check for dullness, nicks, or misalignment. Sharpen or replace as needed.
Check the drain outlet — Ensure it is not clogged with scales or viscera.

Weekly

Inspect the drive chain — Check tension and lubrication. The 428H stainless steel chain requires minimal lubrication, but verify there is no excessive wear.
Descale the spray nozzles — Mineral buildup can reduce spray pressure. Soak nozzles in a mild acid solution if flow is reduced.
Check roller brush wear — Replace brushes when bristle length is reduced by more than 30%.

Monthly

Inspect electrical connections — Verify all wiring is dry and secure. Water and electricity require vigilance.
Test the emergency stop — Confirm it cuts power immediately.
Check caster wheel locks — Replace if they no longer hold firmly.

Why Choose Wanzhi Machinery?

10+ years of manufacturing experience in food processing machinery, exporting to 120+ countries
ISO 9001 certified manufacturing — every machine undergoes factory acceptance testing
304/316 stainless steel construction with Material Test Certificates provided
Customizable configurations — back-cutting, belly-cutting, species-specific adjustments
Full-process service — from requirements analysis to after-sales maintenance
Engineering support within 24 hours — technical solutions including equipment selection and process flow charts

Explore our complete range of meat processing machines, or contact us for a personalized quote.

Wanzhi Machinery Equipment Manufacturing Plant

FAQ

Q: What is a fish killing machine?

A fish killing machine is a commercial food processing device that automates fish preparation — descaling, back-cutting or belly-cutting, gutting, and washing — in a single continuous pass. One operator feeds fish into the machine, which processes each fish in approximately 7 seconds, producing clean, ready-to-cook fish at the discharge end.

Q: How much fish can a fish killing machine process per hour?

A standard machine with 1.5 kW power can process up to 500 kg of fish per hour. Processing speed is approximately 7 seconds per fish, and the machine supports continuous feeding — the next fish can be loaded as soon as the previous fish’s tail enters the machine.

Q: What fish species can the machine handle?

The machine handles common freshwater species including silver carp, bighead carp, grass carp, common carp, crucian carp, snakehead, mandarin fish, black carp, and largemouth bass. The applicable weight range is 0.5–4 kg. Custom configurations are available for saltwater species or fish outside this weight range.

Q: Does the machine damage the fish gallbladder?

No. The machine is engineered to keep the gallbladder intact during gutting. The cutting blade depth and gutting mechanism are designed to open the body cavity and remove organs without rupturing the gallbladder, preventing bile contamination that would give the fish flesh a bitter taste.

Q: What material is the fish killing machine made of?

The standard machine is constructed from food-grade 304 stainless steel for all water-contact components, with a 428H stainless steel roller chain for power transmission. A 316 stainless steel upgrade is available for coastal facilities or saltwater fish processing.

Q: What is the difference between back-cutting and belly-cutting models?

Back-cutting models split the fish along the spine — preferred for grilling, smoking, and display. Belly-cutting models open the fish along the ventral side — preferred for filleting and certain regional cooking styles. Some machines support both configurations; specify your preference when ordering.

Q: How many people are needed to operate the machine?

Only one operator is needed. The worker stuns the fish, feeds it head-first into the machine, and collects the cleaned fish at the discharge end. The machine handles descaling, cutting, gutting, and washing automatically, and supports continuous feeding for back-to-back processing.

Q: What voltage does the fish killing machine require?

The machine supports dual voltage: 220V and 380V. This makes it compatible with both standard single-phase commercial power and three-phase industrial power.

Ready to Automate Your Fish Processing?

Wanzhi Machinery delivers fish killing machines built to ISO 9001 standards, with 304 stainless steel construction, customizable configurations, and engineering support within 24 hours.

Request a quote: Contact our team
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Learn more about Wanzhi: About us

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Email

info04@wanzhisteel.com

+86 18736065220

Phone

+86-18595716541

10F, Building B, Erqi Center, Erqi District, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, China

Fish killing machine with open back

Introduction

Product Specifications

Core function (completing four processes in one feeding)