Shanbo Lake Bighead Carp

Shanbo Lake Bighead Carp

Shanbo Lake Bighead Carp is a protected geographical indication product.

　　 Shanbo Lake Bighead Carp, commonly known as fathead, bighead carp, or spotted carp, resembles the silver carp but has a darker color. It features a large head with fine scales, well-developed pectoral fins that extend beyond the base of the pelvic fins. This fish is gentle in nature, does not jump, and primarily feeds on zooplankton. It inhabits the middle layer of water bodies and can grow to over 30 kilograms. It is renowned for its large, plump head, snow-white and tender flesh, and highly nutritious fish brain. Measurements show that every 100 grams of its meat contains 140 mg of taurine; 2.0 grams of unsaturated fatty acids, including 0.25 grams of DHA (12.5%) and 0.33 grams of EPA per 100 grams (16.5%); as well as 40.7% of the total 15 amino acids being umami-rich amino acids such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, and alanine. The fish head is rich in nutrients such as taurine, unsaturated fatty acids, and amino acids. It can be prepared in various dishes such as spicy chopped pepper fish head, fish head hotpot, stewed tofu with bighead carp, braised bighead carp in soy sauce, and sour pepper fish head. These dishes are highly nutritious and serve as an excellent source of high-quality protein. The locally famous “Three Delicacies of Bighead Carp” prepare different parts of the fish using three distinct methods: the fish head is steamed with ginger, scallions, and fermented black beans for a delicious flavor; the fish bones and belly are cooked with ginger and garlic to preserve their original taste; and the remaining flesh is made into fish soup, which is smooth and flavorful.

　　The production area of Shanbo Lake Bighead Carp covers 100,000 mu of water within and around Shanbo Lake in Anxiang County, Hunan Province.