There are many species of fish in the Yangtze River, with around 350 species in total. The number of freshwater fish far exceeds that of other water systems in China, with 324 species. In addition, there are 10 species of migratory fish that pass through estuaries, and 16 species of brackish fish living in estuarine areas. The main fish species include the Chinese sturgeon, silver fish, shad, and sturgeon. Among them, the Chinese sturgeon is the largest fish in the Yangtze River and is known as the “King of Yangtze Fish.”
I. What fish are there?
In the Yangtze River system, including its associated lakes, there are about 350 species of fish. Among them, 324 species are freshwater fish, far exceeding the number of freshwater fish in other rivers in China. Additionally, there are 10 species of migratory fish passing through estuaries, such as eel, bass, and the migratory Chinese sturgeon and shad. There are also 16 species of brackish fish living in estuarine areas.
II. Main fish species
- Chinese Sturgeon: The Chinese sturgeon belongs to the order Acipenseriformes and is the largest fish in the Yangtze River, earning it the title of “King of Yangtze Fish.” Its body is spindle-shaped with a sharp head and long snout. As a benthic fish, its diet is quite narrow, consisting mainly of fish and crustaceans, and it stops feeding during the spawning season.
- Silver Fish: The silver fish has a slender, cylindrical body, measuring only about 12 cm in length. This fish typically inhabits the middle to lower layers of the water, rarely venturing into the surface layers. It often hides in aquatic plants and has a certain phototactic behavior. Its reproductive ability is remarkable, and before winter, it reproduces in large numbers, with the process lasting 3-4 months.
- Shad: The shad is a marine fish that migrates up the river to spawn during late spring and early summer. The juvenile fish grow in rivers and lakes, and those that reach 150 mm may enter the sea. This fish primarily feeds on plankton, but can also eat shrimp and diatoms, and is found in many water bodies in China.
- Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum): The sturgeon, scientifically known as the long-nosed sturgeon, is a bottom-dwelling fish that typically lives in slow-flowing river bends. During the day, it hides at the bottom of the water, coming out at night to forage. It feeds mainly on aquatic insects and crustaceans, and although it is found in many water bodies in China, it is mainly concentrated in the Yangtze River system.
