Ridged carp-barbel

鲤冈鲃 (lǐ gang bā): Ridged carp-barbel

This 2010 addition to China’s host of mythical creatures is based upon the "my father is Li Gang" incident. That incident involved a hit-and-run accident by the son of a government official who attempted to avoid responsibility by invoking his father’s position.

The phrase, “Li Gang is my father” happens to sound similar to “ridged carp-barbel” a made-up fish. According to the creature’s fictional Hudong Baike article, the ridged carp-barbel is aggressive and enjoys ramming things with its blunt face. It is a near relative of the horse of deception.