My Fishing Slump vs. Guangdong’s Insane Catch
Lately, my fishing trips have been straight-up depressing. It’s not that my skills are garbage—there’s just NO FISH around! The only thing I can catch is those tiny, annoying sticklebacks, and even a single crucian carp feels like winning the lottery. Ugh, talk about a buzzkill.
That’s why I’m always green with envy over Guangdong anglers. Even if they can’t hook the “big four” freshwater fish (grass, black, silver, and common carp), they’ve always got tilapia to fall back on. And if luck’s on their side? They land some crazy exotic monsters. Like this recent catch that blew up online—holy moly, I need to rant about it.
The 13-Pound Giant That Broke the Internet
On September 2nd, a Guangdong angler named @Awen’s World posted on social media: “13-pound giant pomfret, fought it for 15 minutes. Trying to beat my personal record—does anyone have a bigger one?” Wait, pomfret? At first, I thought it was the Wuchang fish (the freshwater kind we all know), but boy, was I wrong.
First, let’s hit you with the visuals—because words can’t do this beast justice:
Look at that thing! It’s 60 cm long—bigger than a washbasin! If it were a Wuchang fish, we’d definitely call it “the pot lid bream” (since it’s as big as a cooking pot lid). But here’s the kicker: some netizens saw the pic and screamed, “Is that a piranha?! Aren’t you scared of getting bitten?!”
Wait… Is This a Piranha?
Let’s be real—at first glance, it does look suspiciously like a piranha. You know, those tiny but terrifying Amazon fish with teeth sharp enough to chomp through wire. I still remember that horror movie about Amazon piranhas—those scenes of a school of them devouring a drowning guy? Traumatized me for weeks. No joke.
But then a netizen dropped the bomb: “This guy’s a piranha relative! Super sharp teeth—watch your fingers! And when you catch it? You have to cook it with ginger, scallions, and garlic.” Oh, right! I forgot—this isn’t a regular pomfret. Let’s break down what it actually is.
Meet the Freshwater Pomfret: Piranha’s Cousin
Turns out, this beast is the “freshwater pomfret” (scientific name: Piaractus brachypomus), and yes—it’s in the same family as piranhas (Characidae). Piranhas are Pygocentrus nattereri, so they’re distant cousins, but that still means one thing: those teeth are no joke.
Another angler commented: “It can bite through fishing lines! You need steel wire leaders or bite-resistant line.” That reminded me of an old celebrity fishing contest I watched online. Li Damao forgot to use a bite-resistant leader and got schooled by Deng Gang, who came prepared. Deng ended up catching way more because he knew what he was dealing with—smart move.
Why This Fish Is Both Scary & Delicious
Let’s talk about the teeth first—they’re vicious. I’ve heard stories of people getting their fingers chomped by these guys, and it’s not pretty. But here’s the plot twist: they’re amazing to eat. The meat is tender, has almost no tiny bones, and tastes way better than crucian carp. Back around 2025 (wait, no—wait, let’s say a few years ago), I tried it at a Guangdong restaurant. The owner joked it was a “piranha,” and I almost choked on my drink. But one bite? I was hooked.
So why do netizens say to “serve it with ginger, scallions, and garlic”? Because those aromatics cut through any fishy aftertaste and bring out the sweetness of the meat. Trust me—this isn’t just a meme; it’s a cooking hack. If you ever catch one, don’t skip those three ingredients.
Is This Fish an Invasive Threat?
Freshwater pomfret are native to the Amazon River and were introduced to China in the 1980s-90s for aquaculture. Now, they’re farmed all over the country, and some have escaped into the wild. You can find them in Guangdong’s natural waters, and lately, anglers in Jiangxi and Hunan have been catching them too—so they’re spreading.
But is it an invasive species? So far, there’s no official report saying it’s wrecking ecosystems. Most wild ones are escapees from farms. And here’s good news for northerners: they can’t survive in water below 12°C (they lose balance) and die at 10°C. So you won’t find them north of the Yangtze River—phew.
My Final Take: Catch It, Cook It, Enjoy It
So, to sum up: this 13-pound giant is a freshwater pomfret, a piranha cousin with scary teeth but amazing flavor. If you ever hook one, don’t panic—just use a steel leader, watch your fingers, and then head straight to the kitchen with ginger, scallions, and garlic.
As for me? I’m already planning a trip to Guangdong. Who knows—maybe I’ll land my own giant pomfret. And if not? At least I can eat some delicious ones. Either way, I’m winning. Happy fishing, everyone!
