Golden Bay Three-Li Fish

Golden Bay Three-Li Fish

　　　Regarding the Three-Li fish, it can actually be found in rivers such as the Xijiang, Pearl, and Beijiang, but its numbers are dwindling. It is a wild fish that migrates from the sea back into the rivers during seasonal floods. The scientific name of the Three-Li fish is the reeves shad. The ones from the Xijiang River are especially famous for their delicious taste. Hence the saying, “Spring for border fish, autumn for carp, summer for Three-Li fish.” But the most difficult thing about the Three-Li fish is that it dies as soon as it leaves the water, making live specimens rarely seen on the market. Every summer, large numbers of Three-Li fish migrate back to the rivers to spawn in concentrated areas, which makes them easy targets for overfishing. Years of excessive fishing have caused their numbers to decline sharply. However, there are now several places in China where farming the Three-Li fish has been successful. This fish can thrive in both saltwater and freshwater environments.

　　In the Zhuhai area of Guangdong, the Three-Li fish is often cooked by braising, such as with bitter melon. Moreover, if the braised dish is left to sit for a few hours before being reheated and eaten, the flavor becomes even more delicious.