The Ugly Stonefish
The stonefish is a highly venomous fish in nature. Its 'deadly stab' is described as giving humans the most painful sting. Stonefish appears unassuming, with a length of about 30 cm, and likes to hide under the seabed or reefs, disguising itself as an unremarkable stone. If someone inadvertently stepped on it, it would retaliate without hesitation, immediately launching deadly venom, and the 12 to 14 sharp spines on its back would easily penetrate the soles of shoes and into the footpads, causing rapid poisoning and prolonged, excruciating pain until death.
The stonefish originated in the Han River under Mount Maylasan, a prized fish renowned since ancient times.
Mount Maylasan is located south of Jingu City on the Han River, with rocky protrusions extending into the riverbed, resembling a series of interlocking teeth, which is the habitat of the unique stonefish. This fish is smooth and scaleless, with a large and round abdomen, a slightly narrowed tail, a mouth at the bottom of the head, resembling a crescent moon, and its back is grayish-white with traces of stone, its belly is white with a hint of red, generally weighing 0.5-1 kg, and the largest can reach 10 kg. Therefore, the fish is always near the rocks, active in the bottom of the water, hence the name. Its main food is aquatic shrimp, crab, and shellfish insects, etc. Every ten winter months is the harvest season for stonefish.
This fish has fine, tender and delicious meat without fine spines, whether braised or stewed, it is extraordinarily delicious. Regularly eating this fish can also promote saliva production, moisten the lungs, strengthen the kidneys, and stonefish's belly is large and flavorful, which is also a delicacy. This fish can be used to prepare a variety of dishes for banquets.
The stonefish belongs to the venomous fish family, with the scientific name 'Rose Venomous Fish', because it has spines like roses and is venomous, hence the name. Stonefish is shaped like a terrifying monster, its appearance is very ugly, and it looks like a stone, lurking in the seabed and rocky crevices, making it difficult to detect. Its predatory method is quite interesting, often waiting for food to arrive in a 'guarding a well' way. Its stiff spines (the base of the dorsal spines have venom glands with nerve venom) have deadly venom.
Stonefish are all natural, without artificial breeding, and available year-round. Stonefish are suitable for growth in 18-25 degrees Celsius water with abundant algal reefs at the bottom of the reef, and like to be partially buried in the sand. They spawn in early summer, with an average length of 30 cm and an average weight of about 500 grams.
Stonefish are distributed widely, in any sea, but prefer tropical and brackish water transitional areas. Stonefish are also produced in Hong Kong waters, also known as 'Stone Cong'.
Stonefish is extremely delicious, with few spines, choose a large piece, about 3-4 jin is more suitable, too small meat is too little, taste is not good. Spring and summer are the fattest seasons, and the flavor is more delicious after winter.
Stonefish can be cooked in soup and steamed. Stonefish soup is extremely delicious and may have a toxic relationship, drinking it will give you a 'high' feeling. It takes several hours to cook, unless it is pre-booked, otherwise steaming is still the best way. It is appropriate to separate the skin and meat to steam. Stonefish skin is very thick, after removing the outer skin, it can be steamed with fruit peel. After steaming, it becomes semi-transparent and sticky, with a smooth and delicious flavor, but slightly bitter, not everyone likes it. Stonefish meat is white and fresh and smooth after steaming, except for the main bone, there are no other spines.
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