Yunnan Golden-line Barbel

Yunnan Golden-line Barbel

　　Yunnan Golden-line Barbel, commonly known as the golden-line fish, is a second-class nationally protected animal found only in the Dianchi Lake basin. Since the 1980s, it has gradually disappeared from the main body of Dianchi Lake due to factors such as invasive species, water pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing.

　　　　· Chinese Name: Yunnan Golden-line Barbel

　　· Taxonomic Classification: Fish → Cypriniformes → Cyprinidae → Sinocyclocheilus genus

　　· Latin Name: Sinocyclocheilus grahami

　　· Chinese Genus Name: Golden-line Barbel Genus

　　· Domestic Distribution: Yunnan

　　· Is it a medicinal animal?: No

　　· Is it an economic animal?: Yes

　　· Economic Uses: Its meat can be used medicinally, known for nourishing yin and regulating vitality, warming kidneys and enriching essence. It is mainly used to treat conditions such as weakness due to aging, injuries, and kidney deficiency with spermatorrhea.

　　· China Red Data Book: R

　　· IUCN 2003: EN A2ce;B2ab(i,ii,iii,iv,v);C2c. IUCN 2003: Not listed

　　· Habitat: Scattered in deep waters of lakes.

　　· Body Size: Body length up to 210 mm, weighing about 250 g.

　　· Diet: Primarily carnivorous; juvenile fish mainly feed on cladocerans and copepods, as well as small amounts of filamentous algae and debris from higher plants. As they grow, their diet shifts to include small shrimp and even some small fish.

　　Population and Conservation

　　A rare and valuable endemic fish species, now very seldom seen in certain areas. Strong conservation efforts are needed.

　　Morphological Description

　　Elongated and laterally compressed body, with a raised dorsal edge behind the head. Pointed snout. Two pairs of barbels, with the maxillary ones being longer. Small, rounded scales arranged in a tile-like pattern; lateral line scales are slightly larger, approximately 70 in number. Short and sparse gill rakers.