The "Qianghuo fish" is not a fish: a look at this mountain-stream amphibian

The Qianghuo fish is not a true fish, but an amphibian that lives in high-mountain streams; its scientific name mostly refers to the stream salamander (Batrachuperus), and in folk usage it is also called Chinese fir fish, snow fish and so on. Its name is generally believed to be related to the Chinese medicinal herb Qianghuo (Notopterygium incisum), because this animal often lives near mountain streams where Qianghuo grows, and over time it acquired this name.

In appearance, the Qianghuo fish has a slender body, a slightly flattened head, four short limbs and a long laterally flattened tail; its skin is smooth and moist, and its body color is mostly grayish brown or brownish brown, often with dark markings. They like to live in cool, clear mountain streams, hiding under stones or fallen leaves during the day and coming out at night to move about and forage, mainly preying on aquatic insects and their larvae and other small invertebrates.

It should be noted that the Qianghuo fish and the medicinal herb Qianghuo are only similar in name; their origins are completely different. Qianghuo is the rhizome of a plant in the Apiaceae family and belongs to the plant-based medicines; the Qianghuo fish, by contrast, is an animal. In the past, there was a folk practice of drying it in the sun and using it as medicine, but in recent years wild resources have clearly declined, and many areas have listed it as a protected animal; catching, trading or eating it at will may violate relevant regulations.

Therefore, when encountering the name Qianghuo fish, one should first distinguish whether it refers to the animal or the medicinal herb; for medicinal use, it should be purchased through proper channels and used under a doctor's advice, and one must not catch and process it on one's own. At the same time, protecting the water quality and environment of the streams it inhabits also has practical significance for maintaining mountain ecosystems.