[1][2] Despite its common name it is not the only icefish in China; the majority of the species in this family are found in the country.

In addition to being eaten in Asia, it is exported to southern Europe as a replacement of the more expensive transparent goby, a Mediterranean species used in the local cuisine.

[2] They have a smooth, scale-less body, except the male has a thin line of scales at the tail base.

[2] Neosalanx tangkahkeii is a widespread species and among others found in the Yangtze and Yellow River basins.

[1] It is one of three icefish species (the others are N. pseudotaihuensis and Protosalanx) that has been introduced to several parts of China where not naturally found.