(Baonghean.vn) - Western Nghe An has a terrain that is mainly mountainous, where rivers have steep slopes and strong currents. This is also an ideal condition for valuable fish species to live.
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The valuable fish species in Western Nghe An all have the common characteristic of living in flowing water. Therefore, catching fish is extremely difficult. However, on lucky days, the "hunters" of giant fish can earn tens of millions in one night. In the photo: People in My Ly, Ky Son set up nets to catch fish at night on the Nam Non River. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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The fish considered to be the most valuable in Western Nghe An is the eel. The eel has a long, slender, round body, a head with long whiskers, and few bones. This fish often lives in caves and nooks where water flows. Each kilogram of eel costs from 800,000 to 1 million VND depending on the weight of the fish. The bigger the fish, the higher the price. To catch eel, people have to use a hook or use a barb to skewer the fish. Eel can be grilled, steamed with lemongrass or cooked in bamboo shoot soup... Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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Another fish species that has a value almost equivalent to the catfish is the catfish. This species has a rather long body, a firm body, a white belly, and a brown upper part. The head of this fish has very sharp and pointed spines. People also use a hook to catch catfish, or can use a layered net to catch fish. When catching this fish, if you are not careful, you will be injured by the two spines on both sides. Catfish is very easy to prepare, can be cooked in soup with bananas, with bamboo shoots... Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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Catfish mainly live in caves and feed at night. Therefore, "hunting" catfish is not an easy task. Each kilogram of catfish costs from 500,000 to 800,000 VND/kg depending on the weight of the fish. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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Another specialty fish of the rivers of Western Nghe An is the catfish. This is a shark-like fish that lives at the bottom of rivers. This fish is quite slow compared to other freshwater fish. They often live in schools. An adult catfish can weigh up to 50kg. Each kilogram of catfish costs from 300,000 to 600,000 VND. To catch catfish, you can only use a king-line. Catfish are also used to cook soup with wild vegetables. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
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The mackerel is considered the most popular specialty in the Western region of Nghe An, this species is easier to catch than the above species. The mackerel is most abundant in Con Cuong, Tuong Duong. The Giang River is the main habitat of the mackerel. Therefore, there is a saying: "Muong Qua rice, Giang River fish". The mackerel is caught using a net. The fish is used for stewing, frying, grilling... Currently, the reserves of this fish species are seriously decreasing. Each kilogram of mackerel costs from 200 to 400 thousand VND. Photo: Archive |
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The snub-nosed fish is also considered a delicious and valuable fish in Western Nghe An. The reason this fish is called the snub-nosed fish is because of its "special" nose (it has a missing nose). This fish lives mainly in flowing water. An adult fish weighs only about 2kg. Each kg of snub-nosed fish costs from 150,000 to 250,000 VND. The best way to cook and fry snub-nosed fish is to cook it in star fruit soup. Photo courtesy of the author. |
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Currently, the specialty fish species in Western Nghe An are gradually becoming scarce, and the prices of these fish species are also increasing day by day. Photo: Ho Phuong. |
Ho Phuong