Ya Fish

Ya Fish

Ya Fish is a protected geographical indication product.

Ya Fish is a certified geographical indication trademark.

　　    One of the famous local specialties of Ya'an, it is a unique species native to the Central Asian highland mountainous regions, also known as "Bingxue Fish." It is found in the Zhougong River (Ya'an section) of the Qingyi River, hence the name Ya Fish. The fish resembles a carp but has fine scales like a trout, a plump body, and tender flesh. Claypot Ya Fish is a renowned local dish. Legend has it that during the Qing Dynasty, it was offered as a tribute to Empress Dowager Cixi, who praised it as “the meat of dragons and phoenixes.” (Ya'an)

　　Geographic Scope

　　　    Located in the middle and upper reaches of the Qingyi River and Zhougong River (the entire area falls under the jurisdiction of Yucheng District, Ya'an City), which is the transitional zone between the Sichuan Basin and the Tibetan Plateau. The geographic range spans longitude 102°51′ to 103°12′ and latitude 29°40′ to 30°14′. The southeastern end starts from Houqiao Town (via Yanchang River), extends westward to Dashenxi in Duoying Town (Qingyi River), the northern boundary begins at Xiakou in Beijiao Township (Longxi River), and the southern edge reaches Huilong in Wangyu Township (Zhougong River). It includes the following areas within Yucheng District, Ya'an City: Wangyu Township, Shaping Town, Kongping Township, Nanjiao Township, Beijiao Township, Duoying Town, Caoba Town, Yanchang Town, and Houqiao Town.

　　Unique Qualities

　　　　    The fish is elongated and slightly laterally compressed, with a conical head and a subterminal, horseshoe-shaped mouth. Its upper and lower lips are fleshy and thick, with the lower lip divided into three lobes; in smaller individuals, the middle lobe is distinct, while in larger individuals, it is very small and obscured by the left and right lobes. The left and right lobes are broad and form free posterior margins as lip folds. The post-lip groove is continuous; the inner side of the lower jaw is slightly cornified but not forming a sharp keratinized edge. There are two pairs of barbels, roughly equal in length or with the maxillary barbels slightly longer; the rostral barbels reach the front edge of the eye or extend beyond it, and the maxillary barbels extend to the rear edge of the eye. The scales are small and neatly arranged, with clearly visible scales on the chest and abdomen. The anal fin and the sides of the anus have large, imbricate scales, and there are also several large scales beneath the lateral line behind the gill openings. The dorsal fin spines are weak but serrated along the posterior edge. The upper body is grayish-blue and the belly is silvery-white. In some smaller individuals, fine black spots may appear on the upper part. The caudal fin is light red. During the breeding season, males develop white pearl-like spots on their heads.

　　Cultural Story

　　　　    Ya Fish, also known as Bingxue Fish, Jiayu, or Bingxue Jiayu, with the scientific name Schizothorax, comes in two types: Qi Kou and Zhong Kou. It features a red tail, resembles a carp but has trout-like scales, and originates from the Zhougong River in Ya'an. Numerous legends surround Ya Fish. One tale says that when Nüwa was mending the heavens, she dropped a divine sword into the river, which turned into Ya Fish. As a result, there is a sword-shaped bone spur in the fish’s head, with the hilt, handle, and blade vividly realistic. Ya Fish is beloved for its tender and delicious flesh, making it a tribute through the dynasties and earning it the title of one of the “Three Treasures of Ya'an,” along with Ya Women and Ya Rain. The “Claypot Ya Fish” and “Full Course Ya Fish Banquet,” cooked in Yingjing claypots, are hailed as signature Ya'an dishes and top-tier Sichuan flavors. The Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu wrote a poem praising it: “The fish from Bingxue Cave is especially delicious.” Ya Fish enjoys enduring fame due to its rich historical culture, unique physiology, and exceptional taste. However, due to its specific breeding and growth environment requirements, low natural reproduction survival rate, and human impact, Ya Fish has become quite rare and is now listed as a second-class protected fish species in Sichuan Province.