Su Vang fish (Otolithoides biauritus) is one of the rarest and most expensive fish in Vietnam. It is believed to have medicinal value. Su vang fish can be processed into special dishes and is used to make neurological and skin medicine. The fish bladder is material to make specialized suture thread, which is priced tens of thousands of USD per bladder, depending on the length. Many people believe that eating su vang will give them luck and prosperity.

Su vang are distributed in the Indian ocean, Vietnam, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and China. Its spawning season is from January to April and from September to October of the lunar calendar. The fish swim to brackish estuaries to lay eggs. In Vietnam, su vang fish are priced tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of USD/fish.

Betta fighting fish is favored by aquarists for its flexible, beautiful, and colorful body. Some Betta fish are sold for $2,500.

Different from these fish, the arowana is a type of ornamental fish. They are imported from other countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore ... People believe that arowana can bring good luck to its owner. There are many species of Arowana but in Vietnam there are four species: Huyet Long, Thanh Long, Kim Long Qua Boi and Kim Long Hong Vy.

The Arowana has a long life span, classified as endangered in the world and are very expensive. In Vietnam, the price ranges from several million to hundreds of million VND/fish.

Raising Arowana fish is not only a hobby, but also a way to show someone’s “rank” and enhances his self-worth. 

Trang Nguyen (mandarinfish) is favored by Vietnamese aquarists. Photo: Internet

The fish is priced at several hundreds USD. They are only available at stores in big cities.

Anh vu fish (Semilabeo notabilis) was previously offered for the king for good luck, especially on the occasion of the New Year. Not as expensive as su vang fish, anh vu fish is priced at hundreds of USD per kilo. Some people choose anh vu fish as a New Year gift. This species lives in the Central Highlands. People believe that eating anh vu fish can cure some diseases and is good for the kidney.

Giant barb is dubbed the "king" of the fish in the Mekong River. The giant barb or Siamese giant carp is the largest species of cyprinid in the world. These migratory fish are found only in the Mae Klong, Mekong and Chao Phraya river basins in Indochina. Its numbers have declined drastically due to habitat loss and overfishing, and is now considered critically endangered. Giant barb meat is very delicious so restaurants are willing to pay thousands of USD for a giant barb.

Le Ha

The scientist-caretakers of aquatic creatures at Nha Trang Oceanography Institute

In addition to research, scientists must keep watch and take care of fish being bred at the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute in Khanh Hoa province.

The strangest 'tree climbing fish' on the planet lives in Vietnam

“Thoi loi” (giant mudskipper) is one of the strangest fish on the planet because it can both dive deep under water and hang on trees. This is a specialty fish in some mangrove areas in Vietnam.