Mandarin fish is one of the "four famous freshwater fish" in China, also known as "osmanthus fish", "crucian carp", etc., is a carnivorous fish. Mandarin fish is widely distributed in China, belonging to the order Perch, Lipid family, mandarin subfamily, there are long-body mandarin, less scaly mandarin, mandarin genus 3 genera, a total of 11 species, of which China has 3 genera and 9 species, mainly distributed in the south of the Yangtze River, north of the Huai River only two species, South China is the distribution center of the mandarin subfamily fish.
The main mandarin fish species
1. Big-eyed mandarin fish. Also known as sheep's eye laurel fish, spiny thin fish, etc., its body shape is similar to mandarin fish, the eyes are larger, mainly distributed in the Yangtze River Basin or the middle and lower reaches of the Huai River. The meat of the big-eyed mandarin fish is delicious, has few fine spines and has high economic value.
2. Spotted mandarin. Also known as rock mandarin fish, the shape is very similar to mandarin fish, the head has a dark black small round spot, the body side has more ring spots, mainly distributed in the water system south of the Yangtze River.
3. Cocked mandarin fish. Also known as osmanthus fish, fat mandarin fish, seasonal flower fish, flower crucian carp, etc., mainly distributed in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang and other places have a certain number of artificial cage culture.
4. Dark Mandarin. Also known as slate mandarin, tea leaves, stone mandarin, etc., its body side is relatively flat, the back is curved, the upper and lower jaws are almost equal in length, and the body color is dark.
5. Corrugated mandarin. Also known as mandarin fish, leprosy head gui, iron mandarin fish, etc., the individual is small, mainly living in rivers with better water quality.
6. Liuzhou mandarin. At present, it is mainly distributed in Liuzhou, Guangxi, and most of them live in deep water and rock caves. Its body is relatively flat, the back of the head is low and flat, the dorsal margin is shallowly curved, and the eyes are larger.
7. Long-bodied mandarin fish. Also known as bamboo tube mandarin, its body shape is slender, the tip of the head is long, the jaw is prominent, mainly distributed in Hunan, Fujian, Guangxi water systems, the individual is small, usually 100-200 mm long.
In summary, there are not many species of mandarin fish, among which mandarin and big-eyed mandarin fish grow fast, have good shape, good meat quality and high economic value, which are suitable for artificial breeding.