Yichang Yangtze Fatty Fish

Yichang Yangtze Fatty Fish

Yichang Yangtze Fatty Fish is a product with geographical indication.

　　Yichang Yangtze Fatty Fish, scientifically known as Leiocassis longirostris, is commonly called Yangtze catfish or river pomfret. Along with the Chinese shad, the Reeves shad, and the pufferfish, it is hailed as one of the Four Famous Fish of the Yangtze River and is a typical migratory fish of the river. Every spring, when schools of Yangtze fatty fish swim upstream from the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze to the Xiling Gorge section in Yichang, their fat content peaks — as the saying goes, the fish gather here, and the fish grow fat here. That’s why locals vividly call them “fatty fish,” taking pride in this delicacy. Historical records indicate that the fattiest and most delicious specimens come from the area between Huya Beach and Nanzheng Pass in Yichang, often praised by local poets and scholars. The renowned Song Dynasty poet Su Shi once wrote a poem in admiration: “Sprouts of ginger and purple vinegar grill the silver fish, held in a snowy bowl over two feet long; the lingering aura of peach blossoms and spring lingers still — this flavor surpasses even that of perch.” As early as the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, this fish was offered as a tribute to Emperor Hongwu (Zhu Yuanzhang) and has since been regarded as a precious delicacy. There’s even a saying: “A precious fish sent across a thousand miles, a royal table’s treasured delight.”

　　Geographical Range

　　Yichang Yangtze Fatty Fish is found in the Yichang section of the Yangtze River. This stretch is part of the transitional zone from the mountainous western Hubei region to the Jianghan Plain, spanning a total length of 232 kilometers. It lies between longitude 110°51′–111°39′ and latitude 30°32′–31°28′. To the east, it borders Dangyang and Yuan’an; to the west, it neighbors Zigui and Xingshan; to the south, it is adjacent to Zhijiang, Xiaoting, and Dianjun; and to the north, it connects with Baokang. Both banks of the river within this range fall under Yichang’s jurisdiction. The area features diverse landforms including mountains, hills, and river valleys, with the highest elevation at 2005.5 meters and the lowest at 51.6 meters. In 2012, the population of Yichang Yangtze Fatty Fish in this region was recorded at 2 million fish.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: The back of Yichang Yangtze Fatty Fish is amber-colored, the belly is white, and the fins are grayish-black. Its flesh is tender, free of intermuscular bones, smooth as jade, melts in the mouth, and has a delicate, sweet taste. The stewed fish soup is especially prized — as white as fine jade liquid, rich yet refreshing, and sweet like nectar. The fish maw is thick and has long been considered a delicacy. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Yichang Yangtze Fatty Fish boasts high quality and nutritional value. It contains ≤85% moisture, ≥13.7% protein, ≤3.23% total fat, and ≤1.1% ash. It is rich in various amino acids (including lysine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, methionine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, histidine, and arginine), with a total amino acid content of ≥10.0%. 3. Product Safety Quality Requirements: The product complies with the standards set by GB18406.4-2001 “Safety Quality of Agricultural Products – Safety Requirements for Pollution-Free Aquatic Products” and NY/T842-2004 “Green Food – Fish (Live Freshwater Fish).”