In the last two years, rain or shine, in the morning and afternoon, No, 70, from Thot Not district, Can Tho City carries a basin of food to the river wharf in front of his house. Inside the basin is feed for the catfish that he raises like pets.

This fish lives in the wild on the river on Tan Loc Isle.

Every time when hearing No knock a stainless steel basin at the chair, the fish swim back, emerge on the water surface, and wag their maidenhair like pets waiting for food. No shovels big spoons of feed throwing it into the river. The fish flock to the places where the feed is thrown, open their mouths, and fight for the feed. 

His hobby began one day in late 2021, when going out for exercise. No looked at the river wharf in front of his house and saw some very small fish: each was just equal in size to a finger.

No felt sorry for the fish. He entered his home to get rice and feed them. The fish returned later to ask for food. More and more fish came to his home later, up to the surface water and expected food.

“As I saw more and more fish gathering near my home, I came up with the idea of keeping them to protect aquatic resources. It is estimated that there are thousands of fish,” No said, adding that he doesn’t intend to catch the fish, but just keep them like pets. 

To protect the school fish, he has spent money to buy trees to plant stakes, stretch ropes and let water hyacinth develop, creating a space for the fish. He has also spent big money to install a solar power lightening system and a swimming area near the river wharf where the fish live, so that his grandchildren can play with the fish.

His system is designed in a way to allow the fish to swim away if they want. However, he says that he will continue to feed the fish and protect them while they stay there.

The feed costs him hundreds of thousands of dong. Local people, understanding No, donate food, fruit and vegetables to support him raise the fish.

“Many people love the fish. Fruit and vegetable merchants at the market bring food to feed them. I would not be able to keep the fish without their support,” he said. “And local fishermen never catch the fish. They have seen how we protect the fish."

Hoai Thanh