Many strange Vietnamese fish species become expensive specialties

Curious meter long fish, price 230,000 VND/kg

In the sea of ​​Canh Duong (Quang Trach district, Quang Binh) there is a curious species of long-bodied sea fish, that is the needlefish.

The hairtail is a special fish, known as the dragon-bodied sea fish because of its silvery appearance and the fin running along its back. The hairtail has a long, flat body with no scales. The shape of the hairtail is similar to that of an eel, with a pointed beak protruding forward, slightly large eyes, a wide mouth, many separate molars and small teeth in both jaws. Adult hairtails are about 1m long and weigh 0.8-2kg.

Hairtail fish is known as a sea fish with a dragon body. Photo: Arttimes

This is a bottom-dwelling fish, about 150-200m below sea level. Therefore, to catch hairtail, fishermen mainly use fishing boats. Fishing trips for hairtail usually last about 1 week to half a month.

With high nutritional value, hairtail fish is classified as a nutritious food that is popular with many people. At the port, hairtail fish is purchased at 150,000 VND/kg for export. In the market, hairtail fish is sold for up to 230,000 VND/kg.

Fish with intestines can be eaten, priced at half a million VND/kg but still in high demand

The nien fish is also called sinh cao fish or mat fish. This is a freshwater fish, belonging to the carp family. This type of fish is a specialty in Quang Ngai.

The fins are silvery, similar to carp at first glance but more slender. Adult fish are as big as 3 adult fingers, longer than 30cm.

This type of fish lives in streams and rapid waterfalls, so its meat is very firm. The fish only eats moss on cliffs, so its meat is white, fragrant, not fishy, ​​and rich in nutrients. This type of fish can be eaten with its intestines, although it tastes bitter, many people still like it.

At times, the price of anchovies can reach up to half a million VND/kg. Photo: Nong thon Viet

Fish swim very fast so catching them is not easy. Fishermen must use nets to cover the surface of the stream or use guns or other fishing tools. Therefore, the economic value of this type of fish is very high.

Frozen anchovies are sold for 325,000-350,000 VND/kg. As for fresh anchovies, buyers have to go there and wait for people to catch them or order in advance, the selling price is around 400,000-500,000 VND/kg, depending on the time. Despite the high price, many people still seek to buy them.

Fish used to be a royal specialty, priced at 850,000 VND/kg

Blue dam fish appear in many rivers in the northern mountainous provinces and scattered in the North Central region and migrate seasonally. This is considered "five precious river water" along with anh vu fish, catfish, ca chien and ca gio, which are precious fish species that were recorded in history books as a product offered to the king in the past.

Blue dam fish is a rare royal delicacy. Photo: Arttimes

This fish has a long body, a slightly short head similar to a carp, and thick, protruding lips. The common weight of a green damselfish is 1-2kg. This fish has sweet, fragrant meat, especially the ovaries, and the bones are very soft and have no fishy smell.

Green damselfish can be processed into many different dishes such as salad, hot pot, grilled, porridge, steamed, braised. On the market, green damselfish has an average price of about 850,000 VND/kg.

Two types of fish that were once considered "unpalatable" are now exported as specialties.

In the past, the scad fish had no economic value and was ignored by the people. Their status was even so cheap that people compared them to “disdain shrimps and eat scad fish; disdain a man with a big belly and marry a hunchback”.

But later, when demand increased and people realized its potential, dried mackerel quickly became a hot name, comparable to famous dried specialties such as goby fish.

The eggplant is now an expensive specialty. Photo: Law and Readers

Dried scad has a difference from other dried products in that it only needs to be dried in the sun for one day, so people call it dried scad in one day. Dried scad is packaged beautifully to be loaded onto planes and ships to the US, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, etc. On the market, dried scad is sold for 280,000 VND/kg depending on the size.

In terms of identification, this fish is tiny, round, soft meat, about 3-7 cm long. They have two black stripes running along both sides of their flanks, that is why coastal people call it charcoal rice. Charcoal anchovies are only available during the dry season, around January to March of the lunar calendar.

This rustic fish has now become a specialty, the delicious dried anchovy is famous far and wide, and is even exported abroad. Dried anchovy is sold for 250,000-360,000 VND/kg.

Fish that can fly like birds, famous specialty

In the Da Nang - Quang Nam sea area, there is a very special type of fish that can fly like a bird, the flying fish. This special type of fish can fly over the water surface with a flight distance of about 50m, thanks to its strong, sturdy fins.

Flying fish are egg-laying species, the eggs are pale yellow, tiny like sand grains, and are stuck together in clusters. This fish has an elongated, slightly flattened body. An adult flying fish has a body length of about 20-35cm and weighs about 0.5-0.8kg.

A type of fish that can fly like a bird. Photo: Dan Viet

In addition to grilling, flying fish can also be processed into many delicious dishes such as sour soup, soup with young jackfruit, fried with minced lemongrass, etc. or made into fish sauce to eat during the rainy season.

In seafood markets, flying fish are sold by weight or by fish depending on size. At peak times, flying fish can cost up to 250,000 VND/kg. In addition to fresh flying fish, dried flying fish is also a specialty sold on online markets for up to 290,000 VND/kg.