Carp Insect

Carp Insect

　　The carp insect is a famous local product of Chaozhou. However, in recent years, it has rarely appeared in the market, causing many people to forget about it. Especially among the youth, few know what a carp insect is. Some may have heard the name but never seen the creature, which is why a brief introduction is warranted:

　　 The carp insect is a small fish that lives in the fast-flowing waters below Carp Mountain in Jiangdong District, at the lower reaches of the Han River. This area is known as "Rapid Waters" due to the sudden narrowing of the river, swift currents, deep channels, and the rocky bed beneath. These conditions are ideal for the growth of carp insects, making this their primary habitat.

　　 The carp insect gets its name from its habit of living and feeding in the crevices of rocks within fast-moving waters. But why is it called the “carp insect”? That mostly comes from legend. It’s said that a carp spirit once lived on Carp Mountain and frequently harmed the local people. After being crushed by the Sanyuan Pagoda, it decayed into insects, which came to be known as carp insects. Later, people often caught a type of small fish with a delicious taste in these rapid waters and believed them to be the legendary carp insects.

　　 When fishing by streams, one might occasionally catch this kind of fish. Its body is about the length of a pinky finger but slightly slimmer, with a pointed head, slightly dark back scales, and pale belly scales. In both body shape and color, it somewhat resembles a small grass carp.

　　 The carp insect was once renowned both domestically and abroad for its rich, delicious flavor and tender flesh. Coupled with its limited availability, it came to be regarded as a specialty of Chaozhou. Many overseas Chinese returning home loved it and often paid high prices to enjoy it. According to elders, the carp insect was also an excellent export product, selling for several U.S. dollars per pound on foreign markets.

　　 Unfortunately, due to overfishing—and in some cases the use of electric shocks, poison, or explosives—its growth and reproduction have been severely impacted. This fish is now nearly extinct, but it is believed that the people of Chaozhou will not let it be forgotten.