In spring, Coilia ectenes goes upstream in groups, heralding the start of the fishing season. A farmer's proverb says "coilis ectenes comes out when spring frogs exist", and it is the earliest spring fish. Coilis ectenes is long and narrow with thin sides. It looks like a knife, silver and white. It has tender meat but multiple fine spurs. The meat is delicious, fat but not greasy, and slightly fragrant.