The hairtail (Trichiurus lepturus), known to the Chinese as daiyu－or the fish that looks like a belt－was especially valued because it was a saltwater fish.

Is a hairtail an eel?

The hairtail derives its name from their appearance, by the sudden tapering of their bodies to a thin hair like ending about 6 inches long. The rest of their long, thin, eel-like body is all shiny chrome, no scales and topped off with a sinister head full of long curved teeth.

Are hairtail good eating?

Hairtail are regarded as good eating they are sometimes sold through the Sydney Fish Markets but they are primarily regarded as a sporting fish, especially on light lines.