Yuanjiang Carp

Yuanjiang Carp

Yuanjiang Carp is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Yuanjiang Carp is an important parent species used in the breeding of various hybrid carp in China and has been introduced to many regions across the country. It is a nationally renowned fish species.

　　Morphological characteristics: The body is laterally compressed and relatively high, slightly oval in shape. The head is small and somewhat pointed, with a subterminal mouth where the upper jaw slightly protrudes beyond the lower jaw. It has two pairs of barbels and large scales. A well-developed axillary scale is present at the base of the pelvic fin. When alive, the lower lobe of the caudal fin is red, and the paired fins are pale red, hence it is locally referred to as Red-tailed Carp.

　　Habitat and behavior: It is an omnivorous fish with a tendency toward carnivory. Its main diet consists of benthic oligochaetes, as well as insect larvae, snails, and small crustaceans.

　　Distribution: Yuanjiang River system, Pearl River system