The old saying "Man must not be disguised, and the sea cannot be measured", this old saying is everywhere in our lives, especially all kinds of creatures in nature. When it comes to examples of similar but very different personalities, you might think of wolves and dogs, but do you know the story of the pond fish and the Egyptian pond fish?
Why are they often mistaken for worthless "garbage fish"? Is it just because they look alike? In the clear freshwater rivers of Guangxi and Guangdong, there is a fish that the locals call their treasures -- the pond horn fish.
Although this seemingly inconspicuous native fish is small, usually weighing only two or three hundred grams when it reaches adulthood, and occasionally reaches five hundred grams, its flesh is unusually delicate and delicious, comparable to many deep-sea fish. Due to the introduction of an alien species, the fate of the pond horn fish seems to have been unjustly rewritten.
The initiator of this transformation was the Egyptian pond fish. This large freshwater fish, native to the Nile River in Africa, was introduced to China in 1981 and successfully bred in 1982 in a freshwater farm in Guangdong. The Egyptian pond fish is quickly becoming the new darling of aquaculture due to its rapid growth rate and high survival rate.
But its meat quality is much rougher than that of the pond horn fish, and the taste is far less than the latter, so the price on the market is much lower, usually no more than 5 yuan a catty, and the price of the pond horn fish is much higher than this.
Although the two are vastly different in terms of ecological niche and market value, they are strikingly similar in appearance – both have large mouths and eight beards, and their body color and size are difficult to distinguish at a glance. This similarity in appearance has led to a serious misunderstanding: many people mistake high-quality pond fish for low-quality Egyptian pond fish.
This misidentification not only affects the market price of the fish, but also makes many consumers miss out on the opportunity to taste this delicious fish.
It's not difficult to distinguish between these two similar fishes, just look closely. First of all, the pond horn fish is usually small, with an average individual weighing between 200 and 300 grams, and occasionally a large individual that can grow up to 500 grams. In contrast, the Egyptian pond fish is much larger, usually weighing more than three or four catties when it is an adult, and the larger ones can even reach twenty or thirty catties.
Secondly, the body color of the pond fish is yellowish and the body is slightly rounded, while the Egyptian pond fish is mostly gray-black and has a slender body. On the palate, the fish is delicate and delicious, while the Egyptian catfish is meaty but has a rough texture.
The reason why the price of pond horn fish in the market is high, in addition to its excellent meat quality, is also because of its long breeding cycle and high cost. Pond fish grow slowly and take longer to reach market requirements, requiring farmers to invest more effort and resources in their management.
The Egyptian pond fish has become a choice for farmers to reduce costs and make quick profits because of its rapid growth and easy reproduction. Despite this, the position of pond horn fish among food lovers is irreplaceable, and its market demand is still stable, especially for consumers who are looking for the quality of ingredients.
Market confusion and consumer misunderstanding continue to be a challenge for pond fish. Due to the similar appearance, some irresponsible merchants may take advantage of the ignorance of consumers and sell low-priced Egyptian pond fish as high-priced pond fish, which not only harms the interests of consumers, but also destroys the level playing field in the market.
Therefore, improving the public's ability to identify the two types of fish is key to solving this problem. Efforts to educate consumers to identify these two fish can start in a number of ways. For example, governments and relevant agencies can launch campaigns to educate people about how to distinguish between the cape fish and the Egyptian fish through media and public lectures.
Encouraging fishmongers to clearly label the species of fish they sell is also an effective way to increase market transparency. At the technical level, specialized applications can be developed to help consumers identify their species by uploading photos of fish, an approach that makes use of modern technology to provide consumers with a convenient solution.
It is also very important to enhance the brand image of the pond horn fish. By protecting and promoting geographical indications as a local cuisine, they can improve their market recognition and consumer preference. Local governments can work with the catering industry to organise food festivals with the theme of pond horn fish, and enhance consumers' awareness and appreciation of the unique flavor of pond horn fish through food experience.
This in-depth market education and branding not only helps to protect and promote the fish, but also helps to maintain the ecological balance and promote local economic development. The continued farming and consumption of pond fish can support the livelihoods of local fishers and promote the development of related industrial chains, which in turn can drive economic activity in the region as a whole. Sublimation at the end
The story of the hornfish and the Egyptian carp reminds us that being similar on the outside does not mean being the same on the inside. In our lives, many things are misunderstood because of their superficial similarities, and only after a deep understanding can we discover their unique beauty.
Although not as large as the Egyptian catfish, it is far superior in taste and quality. As they often say, "gold always shines", and the true value will always be revealed after careful inquiry.
We shouldn't judge the value of a thing based on its appearance or first impression alone. In the future, when you encounter things that seem ordinary or misunderstood, you might as well be more patient and explore, and you may find surprises that are not known.
Just like the story of the pond horn fish and the Egyptian pond fish, let us learn not to judge people by their appearance, but to understand people and things with their hearts. In this way, our world will be more colorful.