Liaozhong Crucian Carp

Liaozhong Crucian Carp

Liaozhong Crucian Carp is a protected geographical indication product.

　　The Liaozhong Crucian Carp originates from natural water bodies such as the Liao River and Pu River within Liaozhong County. Through artificial breeding by local aquatic science and technology professionals, the industrialized farming of Liaozhong Crucian Carp has achieved great success. The fish has an elongated body that is thick and tall, a short head, a dark grayish-black back, and a gray belly. Its flesh is tender and flakes apart like garlic cloves, with a delicious taste. It is high in protein, low in fat, and highly nutritious. It benefits lactating mothers and those recovering from injuries, and also provides stomach-nourishing and digestive health benefits. Since ancient times, it has been beloved by many. Today, Liaozhong Crucian Carp has crossed national borders and appeared on international dining tables.

　　Product Overview

　　Product Name: Liaozhong Crucian Carp

　　National Announcement Number: AQSIQ Announcement No. 174 of 2011

　　Protected Area: Current administrative region of Liaozhong County, Liaoning Province

　　Geographic Environment

　　They say Liaozhong’s scenery is beautiful — clear waters, green hills, and plump carp.

　　When people think of water towns, they often picture the southern-style towns with little bridges and flowing canals — like Wuzhen. Traditionally, the north is seen as far removed from water. But that's not the case. In the heart of Liaoning Province lies Liaozhong, honored as the "No. 1 National Ecological County in Northeast China." Here, four rivers flow through the region, and its abundant, vibrant water resources nourish the black soil and give rise to a rich culture and high-quality produce.

　　Although the Liaozhong Crucian Carp is occasionally farmed in other parts of Northeast China, those produced in Liaozhong are considered the best in quality. Originally found in the Liao River and Pu River within Liaozhong County, it is a new, superior variety cultivated by local aquatic experts from wild crucian carp native to the area. Thanks to Liaozhong County’s unique microclimate, superior natural water resources, and distinctive farming techniques, it offers ideal conditions for raising this fish. The Liaozhong Crucian Carp is farmed across all 17 towns under the county’s jurisdiction, covering a total area of 1,470 square kilometers. The current farming area spans 50,000 mu, producing 60,000 tons of fish annually. It has formed the nationally renowned “Liaozhong Crucian Carp Farming Production Base.”

　　Cultural Background

　　Once a Tribute to the Emperor, Also a Lifesaving Fish for the People

　　In ancient times, crucian carp were also called “fu yu.” According to Compendium of Materia Medica, “Crucian carp swim close together, hence the name ‘crucian’ (meaning ‘to approach’). They stick to one another, hence the name ‘fu’ (meaning ‘to attach’).” According to the Liaozhong County Annals, the natural water bodies of Liaozhong County were abundant with crucian carp — large in size, tall-bodied, with delicious meat and high nutritional value, making them highly favored by consumers. As the fish were commonly farmed in various water bodies throughout the county, they came to be known as “Liaozhong Crucian Carp.”

　　Legend has it that when Nurhaci, the founding emperor of the Qing Dynasty, established his capital in Shengjing (present-day Shenyang), he developed a taste for the crucian carp from Liaozhong and designated it as a tribute. He relocated part of the Xianghuang Banner stationed in Shengjing to the banks of the Pu River to catch fish for the imperial court. Each day, freshly caught carp were rushed to the capital via horseback along the imperial courier routes to be served at imperial banquets. This group of the Xianghuang Banner later settled in what is now Liuerpu Town and was named “Puhe Manchu Village,” a name still used today. In 1626, Nurhaci personally led his troops in a campaign that swiftly captured eight cities without battle and soon arrived at the gates of Ningyuan City. The Ming Dynasty’s defending general, Yuan Chonghuan, refused Nurhaci’s surrender demands and led soldiers and civilians in a stubborn defense. They installed red-barreled cannons atop the city walls. The Jin army’s assault suffered severe setbacks under the fierce cannon fire. Caught off guard by the Ming army’s advanced weaponry, the Eight Banners troops suffered heavy casualties beneath Ningyuan’s walls. On the third day of the siege, Nurhaci was wounded, and the Jin army retreated. During his boat ride back to Shengjing along the Hun River after being injured by the red-barreled cannon, Nurhaci insisted on having Liaozhong Crucian Carp served at every meal to aid his recovery.

　　During the three years of difficulty in the early 1960s, the Liao River, Hun River, Pu River, ponds, and lakes within Liaozhong were teeming with crucian carp in historically unprecedented numbers — so abundant they seemed inexhaustible. They saved many lives and were hailed by the people as the “lifesaving fish.”

　　Cultural Heritage

　　Many Rivers and Abundant Crucian Carp — Just Catch and Cook

　　The earliest Chinese pictographs, found in oracle bone inscriptions, included the character for fish — a pictograph depicting the shape of a fish, including its head, tail, spine, and bones. This shows that ancient people began fishing and eating fish very early on.

　　Among the folk sayings in Liaozhong, there are proverbs such as “In the Liao River area, fish abound — no need to talk about eating fish, just add water, light the fire, and toss in whatever you catch,” and “Eat crucian carp in winter, carp in summer — both appetizing and good for digestion.” Whenever honored guests visit, a fish head is always placed facing the guest of honor as a sign of respect. No one begins eating until the guest presses down on the fish head with their chopsticks.

　　Relying on its natural ecological and industrial resources, Liaozhong County holds an annual “Liaozhong Crucian Carp Fishing Festival,” attracting numerous merchants and tourists for business, procurement, and sightseeing. The 2014 Pearl Lake “Liaozhong Crucian Carp Fishing Festival” was grandly held on February 13th at Pearl Lake, the largest plain reservoir in Liaoning. The festival invited the professionally renowned fishing team from Chagan Lake in Jilin — marking the first time a large-scale fishing event was held at Pearl Lake and the first major professional fishing event organized by Liaozhong County. On that day, over 25,750 kilograms of crucian carp and other fish species were caught. The “Liaozhong Crucian Carp Fishing Festival” has not only increased the visibility of the fish but also enriched and extended the cultural significance of Liaozhong’s fishery traditions.

　　Brand Development

　　Focus on Key Industries with Emphasis on Brand Protection

　　“Liaozhong Crucian Carp” is a traditional product of Liaozhong County and a source of pride for its people. After breakthroughs in key technologies such as artificial breeding, fry cultivation, artificial rearing, formulated feed production, and disease prevention by local aquatic science professionals, the artificial farming of Liaozhong Crucian Carp has achieved tremendous success.

　　To support the development of high-quality crucian carp farming in the Liaozhong region, funding from provincial, municipal, and county governments has been significantly increased. These funds are used for the standardized renovation of fishponds in the Liaozhong Crucian Carp farming bases, the development of supporting infrastructure such as water, electricity, roads, and fishing equipment, as well as the construction of a center for superior breeds and fry cultivation.

　　In Liaozhong County’s 12th Five-Year Plan, the Liaozhong Crucian Carp was designated as a leading industry. The Municipal Government of Shenyang listed it as one of the key industries for development during the 12th Five-Year Plan period and introduced a series of industrial support policies. It also allocated no less than 10 million yuan annually in fiscal funding to develop the Liaozhong Crucian Carp industry. The county hired academicians and experts to establish a specially invited academician workstation — located right in the fields and by the fishponds — creating a new rural technology service model of “Academicians + Associations + Bases + Farmers.” The county has also engaged in “industry-academia-research” collaborations with institutions such as Shanghai Ocean University, Dalian Ocean University, the Liaoning Aquatic Technology Extension Station, and the Cangzhou Wangsheng Biotechnology Research Institute. A team of 20 high-level academicians and experts was invited to form an expert lecture group that regularly visits rural areas to provide lectures and guidance, offering on-site assistance to farmers and resolving various production issues.

　　To strengthen the quality management of Liaozhong Crucian Carp, the county has established local production standards, setting norms and technical criteria for aspects such as technical foundations, origin environments, varieties, product quality, operational procedures, inspection methods, product labeling, packaging techniques, and storage technology — ensuring consistent product quality. The Liaozhong Crucian Carp Farming Association was also founded to provide farmers with a full range of production, supply, and sales services. It currently has over 1,200 members. Composed of technical personnel, distributors, and producers, the association is responsible for providing pre-production, mid-production, and post-production technological management services to all crucian carp farmers in the county.

　　Liaozhong Crucian Carp has formed a complete industrial chain — with centralized fry breeding centers, dedicated farming bases, standardized production practices, branded products, expert technical support, unified supply of production materials, service provision by associations and cooperatives, and established sales markets. It has become the nationally renowned Liaozhong Crucian Carp Farming Production Base.

　　Knowledge Link

　　Introduction to Liaozhong Crucian Carp

　　Liaozhong Crucian Carp belongs to the order Cypriniformes, family Cyprinidae, and genus Carassius. It is a eurythermic and omnivorous fish species. It has a wide range of temperature adaptability and can survive well even under ice-covered water in winter. Water temperatures exceeding 30°C also do not affect its survival. The optimal growth temperature range is 22–28°C. Within this range, the carp has the strongest feeding activity and fastest growth rate. The growing season is from May to September, with the fastest growth occurring from June to August.

　　What Foods Are Incompatible with Crucian Carp?

　　Crucian Carp and Peanuts: Eating them together may cause indigestion or nausea.

　　Crucian Carp and Pheasant: Eating them together may trigger biochemical reactions harmful to the human body. According to *Compendium of Materia Medica*, crucian carp is sweet, warm, and slightly hot in nature, while pheasant is sweet, sour, and slightly cold. Crucian carp helps regulate qi and promote urination, whereas pheasant nourishes the middle energizer and benefits qi. Their properties and flavors are incompatible, hence they should not be consumed together.

　　Crucian Carp and Pork: *Dietotherapy Materia Medica* states that crucian carp should not be eaten with pork. Pork is acidic, cold, and slightly cool in nature, while crucian carp is sweet and warm. Although their properties and functions differ slightly, consuming them together may cause adverse reactions that are unhealthy.