Giant Salamander of Zhengan

Giant Salamander of Zhengan

The Giant Salamander of Zhengan is a protected product under geographical indication.

　　      The Chinese giant salamander is a Class II protected amphibian species in China. It lives in mountain stream waters and is called "baby fish" because its call resembles the cry of an infant. In Zhengan, the Chinese giant salamander is mainly found in the river sections of Xieba Township. The meat is tender and delicious, making it very popular among locals.

　　  The Giant Salamander of Zhengan

　　      The current administrative region of Zhengan County, Guizhou Province

　　      “Request from the People’s Government of Zhengan County on Delimiting the Geographical Indication Protection Scope of ‘Giant Salamander of Zhengan’”, Document No. Zhengfu Cheng [2012] 142

　　      Local standard of Zhengan County, Guizhou Province:

　　  DB520324/02-2012 “Breeding Technical Regulations for the Giant Salamander of Zhengan”

　　  Quality and Technical Requirements for the Giant Salamander of Zhengan

　　  I. Source

　　  Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus).

　　  II. Breeding Environment Conditions

　　  The breeding environment requires quietness, dim lighting, abundant water sources, fresh and unpolluted water quality that meets national standards for aquaculture, with water temperature between 12°C and 18°C, pH value between 6.5 and 7.5, and dissolved oxygen ≥4mg/L.

　　  III. Production Method

　　  Artificial eco-simulated farming within the origin area, with fish sorted and stocked by size and physical condition into different ponds.

　　  IV. Breeding

　　  1. Stocking: Stocking density is 60 to 100 per m² during the juvenile stage, and 5 to 10 per m² for adult salamanders, with individual weight differences ≤50%.

　　  2. Feeding: From 1 to 8 months old, the main food is bloodworms; after 8 months old, the main food consists of live Chinese loaches, small carp, small crucian carp, and other wild small fish.

　　  3. Harvest Standard: Individual weight ≥1.5kg.

　　  4. Environmental and Safety Requirements: Breeding environments, as well as prevention and control of epidemic diseases, must comply with national regulations, and the environment must not be polluted.

　　  V. Quality Characteristics

　　  1. Sensory Characteristics: The back features uniformly obvious brownish-black mottled patterns, the tail is long and slender, and the meat is fine and tender.

　　  2. Physicochemical Indicators: Protein content ≥15%, fat content ≤5%.

　　  3. Safety and Other Quality Technical Requirements: Product safety and other quality technical requirements must comply with national regulations.