Fish
Ibija
Nauru
National fish of Nauru; traditionally farmed in Buada Lagoon and coastal ponds for hundreds of years; juveniles collected from intertidal reefs and acclimated to freshwater; harvested for special occasions; women adorned themselves with scales for dancing; the oldest aquaculture tradition in the Pacific; farming declined due to tilapia introduction in 1961.
Original eatfuls sticker artwork
What it is
A closer look at Ibija.
National fish of Nauru; traditionally farmed in Buada Lagoon and coastal ponds for hundreds of years; juveniles collected from intertidal reefs and acclimated to freshwater; harvested for special occasions; women adorned themselves with scales for dancing; the oldest aquaculture tradition in the Pacific; farming declined due to tilapia introduction in 1961.
What to look for
Know it when you find it.
A silver, sleek milkfish; traditionally farmed in Buada Lagoon; the national fish of Nauru; harvested for special occasions; the oldest aquaculture tradition in the Pacific; once used ornamentally — women adorned themselves with scales for dancing; now uncommon due to tilapia competition
Where it belongs
Origins and
traditions.
Food rarely respects a border. These are the places the dataset connects most strongly to Ibija.
Names around the table
One food, more than one name.
Keep exploring
If this caught your eye…
Liguria, Italy
Acciughe ripiene
In Liguria, Acciughe ripiene is fresh anchovies stuffed with breadcrumbs, herbs, garlic, and cheese.
Jamaica
Ackee and Saltfish
Boiled ackee — the soft yellow arils of the national fruit — sautéed with flaked salt cod, onion, tomato, scotch bonnet and thyme until it resembles scrambled egg.
Littoral (Cayenne / Kourou / Coastal Créole), French Guiana
Acoupa Rouge
An endemic white fish living 5-20m depth in sea and estuaries; the main species of the coastal artisanal fishery of French Guiana; prized for its firm, white flesh; used in pimentade, blaff, and boucané.
Naples, Italy
Acqua pazza
In Naples, Acqua pazza is fish poached with tomatoes, garlic, parsley, oil, and white wine.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antiguan Saltfish
Saltfish
Salted cod soaked to remove excess salt, flaked, then sauteed with onion, sweet pepper, tomato, garlic, thyme, and hot pepper; the classic Antiguan breakfast; traditionally served with chop-up (mashed eggplant, spinach, and okra), fungee, or butter bread; savoury and full-flavoured; a Saturday morning ritual; the distinctive breakfast of Antigua.
Antigua and Barbuda
Saltfish and Ducana
Classic Antiguan pairing of stewed saltfish with sweet ducana dumplings; the saltiness of the fish complements the sweetness of the sweet potato and coconut dumpling; a traditional Antiguan meal; found at local restaurants and home kitchens; the saltfish and ducana of Antigua
Navarre, Spain
Ajoarriero
In Navarre, Ajoarriero is salt cod flaked with potato, garlic, tomato, and peppers.
Libya
Tabahij
Al-tabahij
Fish layered with sliced potato, tomato and onion and baked in oil until the top layer browns and the fish steams underneath.