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In addition to the snakehead fish, Sun Moon Lake is dealing with several other invasive species. The red devil cichlid is considered the second-most troublesome, but because it’s small, bony, and doesn’t have a lot of meat, it doesn’t make for a nice meal. Even so, some local businesses have turned them into a tasty snack by coating them in flour and deep-frying them to make them crispy.

Fish fry enticingly in bubbling oil, but they aren’t ready to be eaten yet. The chef coats them in flour and fries them again.

These small, red fish are a new delicacy in Sun Moon Lake. Tourists love these snackable, fried red devil cichlids.

The red devil cichlid is one of three major invasive species threatening the lake’s ecosystem, along with the giant snakehead and jaguar cichlid. Giant snakeheads can be grilled or steamed, but red devil cichlids are small and don’t have a lot of meat. To cook them effectively, vendors coat them in flour and deep-fry them three times to make them crispy, then add pepper, salt, and basil.

- It’s really crispy, almost like a fish-flavored potato chip.
- Have you ever had it before?
- I’ve never had it before. It’s my first time coming here and trying it.

Vendors and tourists are helping deal with this invasive species by cooking and eating it. Red devil cichlids have been plaguing Sun Moon Lake for over 15 years, but they were largely considered inedible. Mr. San, who has been fishing here for over 40 years, decided to start catching and cooking them. He heads out onto the lake every day at 3 a.m. to check his traps.

Mr. San collects fish until sunrise, bringing back invasive species to cook and sell.

Mr. San
Fisher
Among the people in our community here, I’m the only one still working as a fisher. No one else in our village is doing it anymore.

Fried until crispy, these fish can be eaten whole. As Sun Moon Lake struggles with invasive species, eating them is one way to keep their population down.

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