Why do carp love to jump over the Dragon Gate? Are there other fish like this?

Review expert: Li Weiyang, a well-known popular science writer

At the end of the year, the Year of the Dragon is approaching. As the spiritual totem and national symbol of the descendants of Yan and Huang, the dragon is endowed with special meanings. In Chinese culture, a fish leaping over the dragon gate is a symbol of career success. This image not only contains a profound cultural and historical accumulation, but also has a practical basis in reality.

Source | The historical evolution of the legend of the good fishing fish leaping over the dragon gate

"Fish Leaping Over Dragon Gate" originated from an ancient legend, which was first recorded in "Xin's Records of Three Qins": "Every spring, yellow carp swim upstream, and those who pass through will turn into dragons." It actually describes that in early spring every year, carp in the Yellow River swim upstream and form a group of jumps at the Dragon Gate (waterfall). However, due to the rapid flow of the water, no fish can climb above the waterfall. Therefore, the ancients imagined that these carp would turn into dragons and ascend to heaven after jumping over the Dragon Gate.

As time went by, this legend gradually spread and was often used to describe people who failed the imperial examinations, expressing people's hope for the healthy growth of their children. In the Tang Dynasty, the legend of the carp jumping over the Dragon Gate was already well known. The poet Li Bai wrote in his poem "Presented to Cui Shiqing": "The three-foot-long carp in the Yellow River originally lived in Mengjin. It failed to become a dragon after being painted on its forehead, and returned to be a common fish." In the poem, Li Bai compared himself to the carp in the Yellow River, longing for his talent to be appreciated and to show his ambition.

The practical basis for the fish leaping over the dragon gate

The concept of "fish leaping over the dragon gate" is romantic but not without basis. In fact, many fish do move in a regular and directional group, known as migration. Migration is a periodic activity that fish carry out to meet the survival needs of different stages, and it is vital for them. Migratory fish complete activities such as reproduction, foraging and wintering by changing the waters where they live. If migration is hindered, it may even lead to species extinction. Because the temperature and light conditions in shallow waters are more suitable for the growth of eggs and young fish, carp will move from deep waters to shallow waters as the breeding season approaches, because the temperature and light conditions in shallow waters are more suitable for the growth of eggs and young fish. In addition, carp will show great wisdom and teamwork ability when looking for a suitable breeding site. They will comprehensively consider multiple factors, such as water flow, water quality and terrain to determine whether it is suitable for spawning.

Source: Fishing on shore

In addition to breeding migration, carp also migrate when foraging. Because they have a wide range of diets, eating both plant and animal food, carp will look for suitable food everywhere, and may swim upstream or downstream, thus forming a migration phenomenon.

Of course, in addition to carp, the more familiar migratory fish should be salmon. Many species of salmon hatch in freshwater environments, and once they grow up, they will choose the ocean downstream as their habitat. During the spawning season, salmon will return to the gravel beds upstream of the river to lay eggs. Therefore, once they leave the sea, they begin their journey upstream. In this process, salmon need to constantly jump to cross waterfalls or dams in the river.

Source: Nature

Other fish that like to jump

Leaping over the Dragon Gate is not exclusive to migratory fish; other fish also have the ability to jump. Silver Arowana , formally known as Osteoglossus bibarbus , belongs to the family Osteoglossidae of the order Osteoglossidae of the class Actinopterygii. They usually live on the surface of the water. Their eyes facing upward are suitable for observing the situation above. Their huge and hard mouths are suitable for swallowing prey and can also bite the shells and bones of prey. Their powerful tails are good at swimming quickly. When necessary, they can jump high out of the water. Catching frogs and snakes is a basic operation. Even small animals such as birds and mice cannot escape the bloody mouth of silver arowana. They can even jump higher and move more flexibly than monkeys, so the locals also call them water monkeys.

Source: Wikipedia

Manta rays, flying fish and other fish also have wonderful jumping behaviors. During the breeding season, manta rays sometimes use their fins to slap the water surface, jump into the air, and can jump out of the water and "glide" in the air more than a person's height above the water. When they fall into the water, the sound is like a cannon, and the sound can be heard for miles, which is very spectacular. But scientists have not yet figured out why they do this. It may be for fun, or it may be to clean barnacles on their bodies.

Source | Wikipedia

"Fish leaping over the dragon gate" is a beautiful blessing bestowed by the ancient Chinese, which shows a strange phenomenon in nature. As the Year of the Dragon approaches, I wish everyone can leap over the dragon gate and rise step by step!