Asian Arowana (Scientific name: Semilabeo notabilis) is a species belonging to the carp family. In Vietnam, it is referred to as “royal fish”, part of the “Five Precious Aquatic Species” group (the five most valuable aquatic species).
According to records from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the ResearchGate scientific network, this rare fish has only been recorded in China and Vietnam.
The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) stated that since 2012, the Asian Arowana has been listed in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
In China, the Asian Arowana is categorized as an endangered species in the Red List of vertebrates. In Vietnam, it has been included in the Red Book with a threat level of grade V and is listed as a species that needs protection in the fisheries sector.
“Lucky Fish”
The Asian Arowana has a thick body that tapers towards the tail, with no barbels. Its body is ash gray, and the belly is light yellow. The mouth is positioned underneath, with a transverse slit and a wide, triangular lower lip featuring many round fleshy spikes.
According to the magazine Vietnam Fisheries, in the wild, the fish only appears in late autumn to early winter when there is fog, no rain upstream, and clear water. In the rainy summer season, when the water is muddy, the fish rarely shows up.
In Vietnam, the Asian Arowana can be divided into three types, including Central Highlands Asian Arowana, Phu Tho Asian Arowana, and Golden Asian Arowana.
Asian Arowana is a rare fish species in Vietnam. (Photo: Wiki).
- Among these, Central Highlands Asian Arowana thrives in an environment with plenty of food and algae, resulting in a larger weight and more delicious white meat than any other fish.
- Phu Tho Asian Arowana is almost the smallest among all varieties of Asian Arowana. However, its mouth is very distinct and resembles that of a pig.
- Golden Asian Arowana, also known as Huang Arowana, has a noticeably smaller mouth than the two types above, but its head has a prominent hump similar to the Flowerhorn cichlid and shares characteristics with the greenish fish, leading to confusion among many people.
Many businesspeople believe that eating this fish will bring them luck and success, which is why they are willing to spend several million, even tens of millions of VND, for a banquet featuring Asian Arowana.
Many businesspeople believe that eating Asian Arowana will bring luck and success. (Photo: Vietnamforestry).
Valuable Lip Cartilage
The market price for Asian Arowana is quite high, with Golden Asian Arowana typically priced at 2 – 3 million VND/kg. This variety is quite rare, as there is only one male for every 100 female fish. Male fish are more flavorful and have firmer, denser white flesh. They usually weigh between 3 – 5 kg, making each fish worth tens of millions of VND.
Notably, according to a report by VTC News in January this year, the owner of a restaurant in Viet Tri mentioned that in Tuyen Quang, Asian Arowana sells for 4 million VND/kg, while in Viet Tri, it exceeds 10 million. By the time it reaches Hanoi, the price no longer remains at 10 million.
Frozen Asian Arowana is cheaper, but many enthusiasts are willing to spend over ten million VND to order fresh fish.
The most delicious part of the Asian Arowana is the lip cartilage. The fish’s lips develop this way because they only eat algae that grow on rocks in riverbeds and often use their lips to nibble, even using them to cling to rocks while sleeping to resist the current.
“Asian Arowana has white, thick, and delicious meat, better than any other fish, especially the lip cartilage, which is very tasty. Many people spend money just to try this royal delicacy. The fish’s flesh can cure heat-related illnesses, constipation, and nourish the kidneys, making it unforgettable after just one taste,” said Mr. Le Thanh Luu, former director of the Aquaculture Research Institute.
Golden Asian Arowana is the most expensive on the market. (Photo: Vietnamforestry)
Historically, no one has ever claimed to catch Asian Arowana, as it can only be caught manually. Buyers pay a lot of money for them, but there are hardly any available for sale. This fish has become too rare.
According to folk beliefs, the Asian Arowana is cooling in nature and can cure heat-related illnesses, constipation, and nourish the kidneys. Its flesh contains several trace minerals beneficial for human health that are not found in other fish.
Furthermore, the Asian Arowana is very picky about food, only consuming algae and living in clear waters, unlike many other fish that are omnivorous, which leads many to believe it represents luxury.
Moreover, historical records indicate that this fish was served to the emperor and offered to deities, making it highly favored by many wealthy individuals in Vietnam.
For those who hunt this fish, despite the many challenges and dangers, they believe that spending a year on the deep river means that catching just a few fish will bring them much happiness in life.
