ANN/THE STAR – After a gruelling 40-minute battle, a veteran angler with 30 years of experience landed a colossal 59-kilogramme giant carp, reportedly as tall as an adult, in Guangxi, China, according to China Press.

The incident took place at the Dahua Reservoir in Hechi City during a storm while the angler, surnamed Meng, was fishing from the bank.

Despite the muddy conditions and poor visibility, Meng felt a powerful tug.

When he tried to reel the fish in, it unleashed such tremendous force that he stumbled and was nearly dragged into the water.

Realising that he was unable to handle the massive fish alone, Meng enlisted friends’ help.

After 40 minutes of battling, they managed to haul it ashore. The giant black carp measured 1.4 metre and weighed 59 kilogrammes.

Meng described the catch as a life achievement, adding that he now had “no regrets in this lifetime”.

The fish was later released back into the water.

The fish Meng caught was estimated to be more than 20 years old.

A black carp can live up to 30 to 40 years and reaches sexual maturity at around four to five years.

Black carp have few natural predators in China’s freshwater ecosystems.

If not caught by humans, they can continue to grow until the end of their lifespan.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin