Freshwater Β· Spring through fall; most active in warm months when insects are on the water
Taiwan Horsemouth
Opsariichthys evolans
The Taiwan horsemouth is a sparkling little predator of Taiwan's streams and Fujian's Minjiang tributaries. It is the island relative of the mainland hook-snout carp (Opsariichthys bidens), but the Taiwan species carries a much longer anal fin, a slimmer body and a plainer, less hooked jaw β the twin separators to check before naming one.
Seasons Β· Peak
Identifying features
- Long anal fin β much longer-based than in the hook-snout carp
- Slim, compressed silvery body with a bluish sheen along the back
- Mouth upturned but the jaw less strongly hooked than in O. bidens, without its heavy notch
- Breeding males flush orange-red on the fins and lower body, the 'one flower' of its alias δΈζθ±
- No barbels β Opsariichthys never carry them
Habits
- A mid-water sight predator of small fish, shrimp and drifting insects
- Holds in pools and runs, darting at prey crossing its lie
- Feeds by day; bold and quick on micro lures
- Males colour up and guard spawning gravel in late spring
- Forms loose shoals in mid-sized streams
Distribution
Regional coverage expanding
Where to find them
- Pool tails and the heads of runs
- Behind boulders where the current slows
- Bridge shadows and inlet corners of streams
Where they live
How to catch them
Micro spoon and fly stream fishing River
Rig: Ultralight rod, 2-4 lb line, 1-3 g spoon or a small wet fly cast across pools and runs
Bait/lure: Micro spoons, small streamers and nymphs
Key tip: Retrieve just faster than the current and pause at boulders β horsemouths slash at lures crossing their lie.
Light float drift fishing River
Rig: Fine float rig drifted through pool tails with a tiny hook and dough or maggot bait
Bait/lure: Tiny dough pellets, maggots
Key tip: Keep the bait moving in the drift; a static bait is ignored by these sight hunters.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Ultralight spinning or light fly rod
- Line: 2-4 lb mono
- Terminal: 1-3 g spoons, small flies, fine floats and size 14-18 hooks
Recommended gear for this species
Rod Β· Best value
8' medium-heavy catfish rod
β US$80-130
Long enough to lob heavy bait rigs, strong enough to move a flathead off the bottom.
Reel Β· Budget
Baitcasting or 4000-6000 spinning reel
β US$60-100
Line capacity and drag for long runs β catfish and carp both make them.
Terminal Β· Budget
Circle hooks, sliding sinkers and cut-bait rigs
β US$15-25
A slip-sinker rig with a circle hook is the proven bottom setup for cats and carp alike.
Picks come from our rule library β never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 3-5 in; large fish to about 7 in
On the table
Minor β usually released or cooked whole in mixed stream catches; better valued as a sport micro-target.
Similar species
Chinese Hook-snout CarpHook-snout carp (mainland O. bidens) has a strongly hooked, notched jaw and a short anal fin; the Taiwan horsemouth has a much longer anal fin, a slimmer body and a plainer jaw, and lives in Taiwan and Fujian's Minjiang
Pale ChubPale chub has a broader, blunter head, a less upturned mouth and faint flank bars; the horsemouth is slimmer and shinier with a strongly upturned mouth and a very long anal finRegulations vary by area and can change in-season β always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide β
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