This is the moment a fisherman in eastern China land one of the most sought-after catches in the world that could be worth up to GBP 3,000.
The yellow croaker tipped the scales at a hefty 4 lbs (1.8 kilogrammes) and is expected to sell for a fortune.
Phone footage – shared later on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok – shows the thrilled angler landing the fish its shining golden scales glistening as it wriggles.
The catch was accompanied by loud cheering from other fishermen on the boat off the coast of Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province.
Another clip shows the man excitedly comparing the golden croaker to the size of his foot as he waves it around.
The strikingly rare tint of the creature’s scales has reportedly brought another lucky fisherman – who had caught a six-lbs (2.7-kilogramme)-heavy croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) – a CNY-40,000 (GBP-4,500) profit.
Seemingly aware this catch could earn him a hefty sum, the fisherman shouted (in Chinese): “I won’t sell it, I’m going to give it to my friends!”
The footage attracted widespread online attention, with netizens dubbing the creature a “true goldfish”.
Douyin user ‘binbin polite’ said in a comment: “It is said that one gramme of this thing is more expensive than actual gold.”
Another user titled ‘frying pan’ commented: “This fish will you make a fortune.”
And user ‘QL’ wrote: “This must be some kind of mutant fish.”
