A closeup view of the sparkling golden scales of the "strange" fish, which is assumed to be an Otolithoides biauritus (su vang).
On the morning of October 10, Mr. Huynh Quy (living in Canh Duong village, Loc Vinh commune) said that he had caught a "strange" fish, which was assumed to be an Otolithoides biauritus (su vang) in Chan May sea area. The fish was nearly 3 kilos in weight, and 70 centimeters in length, with sparkling golden scales, light red fins, and white belly.
According to Quy, who have been “catching gold” for many years in Chan May sea area, this is his first time to catch the "strange" fish with sparkling color, which is so extraordinary. "After comparing with the information on the Internet, I find that the fish has the characteristics of an Otolithoides biauritus, so I keep it unsold. The fish is now still alive," Quy added.
Since many households got to know about the fish assumed to be an Otolithoides biauritus, they have come to see it curiously. By the fish’s appearance, some households think that it is exactly the rare and precious Otolithoides biauritus.
The fish caught by Huynh Quy has sparkling golden scales, red fins, and white belly, which is assumed to be an Otolithoides biauritus.
The Otolithoides biauritus, which is also known as “su vang”, “su vay vang”, “su vang kep”, “thu”, and “duong”, is the biggest fish in the Sciaenidae family, belonging to the Perciformes order . The fish is distributed in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, China, and Vietnam.
Otolithoides biauritus is the rare fish, there are now very few individuals left. In addition to its high nutritional quality, Otolithoides biauritus fish maw is used to produce absorbable sutures in microsurgeries and surgeries.
The fish assumed to be an Otolithoides biauritus was caught in Chan May sea area by Huynh Quy, a fisherman in Loc Vinh.
Story, photos, and video: Ha Nguyen- Thuy Quynh