Hejiang Green Bamboo Fish

Hejiang Green Bamboo Fish

　　The Hejiang Green Bamboo Fish, scientifically named Spinibarbus denticulatus, is commonly called Bamboo Fish or Bamboo-Cypress Carp. Its name is derived from its appearance: adult fish have scales resembling those of a carp, with orange-red tips on their fins, and their body color is a bluish-green similar to bamboo and cypress, distinguishing them from carp. Therefore, locals along the Hejiang River call them “Green Bamboo Carp.” Taxonomically, the Hejiang Green Bamboo Fish belongs to the order Cypriniformes, family Cyprinidae, subfamily Barbinae, and genus Spinibarbus. It is a famous specialty of the Hejiang River in the Pearl River system.

　　The Hejiang River is free from industrial pollution, with clear water and high oxygen levels. The Green Bamboo Fish produced here are known for their tender, succulent, and smooth meat, which has heat-clearing and nourishing effects without the excessive "fishy" heat typically associated with carp. Their scales do not need to be removed before cooking and can be eaten as well, making them highly favored by diners. They are praised as a green, healthy, high-end “river delicacy” and are the top choice for freshwater fish sashimi. Per 100 grams, the fish meat contains 17.3 grams of protein, 5.1 grams of fat, and high levels of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. It also boasts rich selenium, iodine, amino acids, and nucleic acids—essential substances for human cells—which help combat aging, fight cancer, and assist in the treatment of various diseases.

　　The Hejiang Green Bamboo Fish is a herbivorous species with abundant feed sources. In natural environments, they often inhabit the upper reaches of rivers, preferring clear, highly oxygenated, and fast-flowing waters. Adult fish especially favor deep pools. Their diet consists of plant debris, filamentous algae, and aquatic plants. Under artificial cage farming conditions, they can be fed green fodder and formulated feed. The green fodder includes fresh ryegrass, leaf mustard, and water spinach. Fish over 4 inches in size can reach 1–1.5 pounds within one year of cage farming. The farming cost is about 7–8 RMB per pound, while the wholesale price of adult fish is 18–20 RMB per pound, resulting in an input-output ratio of over 1:2.5.

　　Due to the high profitability of Green Bamboo Fish farming, there is currently a boom in cage farming of this fish in the Hejiang River of Fengkai County. The Green Bamboo Fish farmed in cages in the Hejiang River not only suffer from fewer diseases and grow quickly with uniform body shapes, but also retain the wild fish’s natural flavors of tenderness, deliciousness, purity, and richness.

　　Some areas also farm Green Bamboo Fish, but due to inferior water quality compared to the Hejiang River, the taste of the fish cannot match that of the Hejiang Green Bamboo Fish, leading to the eventual failure of such efforts. Therefore, Fengkai County has great potential to develop Green Bamboo Fish farming and achieve excellent returns.

　　In recent years, with the implementation of provincial-level projects such as “Artificial Breeding and Farming Techniques for Spinibarbus Denticulatus,” “Demonstration and Promotion of High-Density Small-Volume Cage Farming of Premium Fish in the Hejiang River,” and “Demonstration and Promotion of Pollution-Free Cage Farming of Hejiang Spinibarbus (Green Bamboo Fish),” the county’s aquatic department has thoroughly studied the biological characteristics of the Hejiang Green Bamboo Fish. They have mastered a complete set of techniques for artificial breeding, fry cultivation, and adult fish farming, clearing all technical barriers to developing the Hejiang Green Bamboo Fish industry. Meanwhile, county aquatic technicians have been disseminating relevant knowledge to farmers through technical training sessions, outreach programs, the county TV program “Agricultural Knowledge,” and the “Technology to Households” initiative.

　　Hejiang Green Bamboo Fish raised in cages require two years to grow to over 2 pounds before they can be sold. Despite the long farming cycle and inherent risks, Fengkai County has implemented effective measures and ensured quality control by aquatic technicians, alleviating concerns for fish farmers and promoting the development of cage farming for Green Bamboo Fish. Currently, over 200 households in the county are engaged in Green Bamboo Fish farming. Many locals have even expanded their operations by building more cages and increasing farming scale.