In the history of aquaculture in China, the "four major fish" is a familiar term, which refers to the four freshwater fish of herring, grass carp, silver carp and bighead carp. However, it is curious why carp and crucian carp, which are also widely farmed in China and are loved by people, are not included in the list of the "four major fish".
carp
First of all, we need to understand the origin of the term "four big fish". This theory can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, when these four species of fish were widely cultivated because of their rapid growth, delicious meat and strong adaptability, and gradually became the representative fish of freshwater aquaculture. Over time, the title has been passed down to the present day.
So, why didn't carp and crucian carp make the cut? In fact, it is mainly related to their farming history and characteristics. Although carp has a long history of breeding in China, and its meat is delicate and delicious, its growth rate is relatively slow and the cultivation cycle is long. In ancient times, people paid more attention to fast-growing, high-yielding fish, so carp was not included in the "four major fishes".
Although crucian carp also has good adaptability and meat quality, its spines are many and small, and it is relatively troublesome to eat. In ancient times, people preferred to choose fish with fewer spines and more meat for breeding and eating, so crucian carp was not selected as one of the "four major fishes".
Despite this, carp and crucian carp still occupy an important place in China's aquaculture and food culture. With the continuous progress of modern farming technology and the diversified needs of people's tastes, the scale of carp and crucian carp farming is gradually expanding. Especially in some areas, carp and crucian carp have become local characteristic cultured species and are deeply loved by consumers.
In addition, it is worth mentioning that the title "Four Big Fish" is not set in stone. With the change of the times and the development of farming technology, more fish may join the ranks in the future. Carp and crucian carp, as traditional farmed fish in China, may also become one of the new members of the "Four Major Fish" in the future.
To sum up, the reason why carp and crucian carp were not selected as the "four major fish" is mainly related to their breeding history and characteristics. However, this does not affect their important position in China's aquaculture and food culture. With the progress of the times and the changes in people's needs, we look forward to more excellent fish joining the ranks of the "Four Great Fish" in the future to jointly enrich China's aquaculture and food culture.
crucian
At the same time, we must also realize that each species of fish has its own unique value and charm. Whether it is the "four big fish" or other fish such as carp and crucian carp, they are all valuable assets of China's aquaculture industry. We should cherish and treat these aquatic biological resources well, and jointly promote the sustainable development of China's aquaculture industry.