Abstract: The invention concerns a decapitating apparatus for fish in which the fish to be processed is conveyed by entrainers essentially transverse to its axis and by fixing its longitudinal position by a holding element engaging the eye-hole and accompanying the fish. For adjusting the holding element a guide bar is arranged for engaging the holding element in a guiding manner in the region of a severing device performing a wedge-shaped decapitating cut and for displacing the holding element resiliently out of its path of movement.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for mechanically decapitating fish, in which fish lying on one of their sides are conveyed transversely and decapitated by a wedge-shaped cut by means of a decapitating tool. In order to perform an exact symmetrical and economical decapitating cut independently of the respective size of the fish to be processed the decapitating tool is mounted pivotably about a pivot axle extending in the plane of symmetry of the same and parallel to the conveying direction of the fish. The adaptation proceeds automatically through a pair of centrally synchronized feeler rails which are borne on the housing carrying the knives of the beheading tool.