The white striped fish, also known as the eel fish, the piercing fish, the poplar leaf silk, etc., is a small freshwater fish widely distributed in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and other waters throughout China.
This fish has a slender body, a silvery-white body color, a slightly black back, a scaleless body, a pointed beak, large eyes, and transparent fins. When the sun shines, it reflects a charming light, so it is praised as a "white fish".
In "Water Margin", the Ruan brothers regard themselves as "white stripes in the waves", so as to describe the agility and liveliness of the white striped fish.
White-striped fish are pelagic fish that like to move near the surface of the water, especially in summer, they can often be seen jumping out of the water to chase flying insects and other food. It is highly adaptable, can tolerate low dissolved oxygen and high water temperature, and also has a certain resistance to water pollution.
The white striped fish is an omnivorous fish that feeds on algae, aquatic weeds, insects, crustaceans, and occasionally higher plant detritus and eggs of other fish.
Despite its small size, generally only 10-15 cm, the white striped fish belongs to the carp family, which is the same genus as carp, silver carp, and herring. The carp family is huge, containing more than 200 genera and nearly 3,700 different species of fish.
White-striped fish have a short lifespan, generally only one or two years, and their size changes with age. Some individuals can even grow to more than 25 cm, but such instances are relatively rare.
In the wild, white-striped fish face multiple hazards, including predation by other fish, traps set by humans, and various diseases. Despite this, the white striped fish has a lively personality and likes to be in groups, and will react quickly to external disturbances.
Despite its rich ecological properties, why does the whitefish have such a notorious reputation among fishing enthusiasts?
The white-striped fish is in the spotlight because of its extreme gluttony, and no matter what kind of bait is used, it can always take the bait before other fish, weakening the chances of other fish **. They are extremely impatient and rush to bite as soon as the bait is launched, causing chaos on the surface of the water and preventing other fish from approaching.
The white-striped fish reproduces rapidly, laying thousands of eggs every spring and summer, and the hatchling grows rapidly. This rate of reproduction makes it pervasive in fishing, and even if one batch is caught, the next generation is still in flux.
Due to the small size of the white striped fish, generally only a few centimeters to a dozen centimeters, it lacks a sense of accomplishment and is not worth much. Its short lifespan causes it to decay quickly after leaving the water body, resulting in a poor taste. Handling the guts of the white fish is also a headache for anglers.
Despite their poor reputation among fishing enthusiasts, whitestriped fish still have some economic value. As a freshwater farmed fish, whitefish is low-cost, fast-growing, adaptable, and can also be used as bait for other fish or as a raw material for fishmeal.
Although small trash fish are a popular popular among anglers, they also have advantages that cannot be ignored. Not only does it have high nutritional value and tender meat, but it is also easy to fish for, making it suitable for beginners and children. In addition, they are low-cost, adaptable, and can also be used as freshwater farmed fish.
In addition to white-striped fish, fish such as trout and warped beaks are also considered "trash fish" and are dissatisfied with anglers. However, these fish also play a role in the ecological balance of the waters. They help purify water quality and maintain the ecological balance of the water by draught organic matter in the water, and also have a certain role in promoting the biodiversity of the water.
Among the many fishes, small trash fish such as whitefish, trout and warped mouth may not be the first choice for anglers, but their ecological role and rich and diverse characteristics in the water are still worthy of our attention. These seemingly ordinary creatures play a non-negligible role in the ecological balance of the waters.
The white striped fish is known for its agile and lively and impatient nature, and although it may be a little troublesome when fishing, its adaptability and survival ability make it an indispensable part of the waters. Although trout and warped beaks are known as "trash fish", they play an equally important role in the aquatic ecosystem. By draught the organic matter in the water, they help purify the water and keep the waters fresh and healthy.
Although these small trash fish may be a "nuisance" in the eyes of anglers, if we look at them properly, we may find that there is a rich ecological beauty hidden in these small fish. Their presence makes the waters more vibrant and makes fishing more fun.
In the process of fishing, we may revel in the fierce struggle of the big fish and indulge in the huge catch. But if we dare to try, broaden our eyes, and find those little trash fish that have been treated coldly, we may reap unexpected laughter and happiness. In the simple way of fishing, you can experience a fierce battle with a small fish, and feel the tension and excitement of that moment, which may be a different kind of fun.