Fuyuan Taimen

Fuyuan Taimen

Fuyuan Taimen is a product with geographical indication.

　　Taimen is a unique cold-water fish species native to the Heilongjiang and Ussuri rivers, also one of the "Three Flowers and Five Larges," ranking as the first among the Five Larges, also known as Hucho taimen. This taimen is a large carnivorous cold-water salmonid, one of the rare cold-water fish species in the world. The taimen in Heilongjiang may not be as big as those in Xinjiang—the largest ones are only about a meter long, weighing fifty or sixty pounds, and are round and plump in shape.

　　Fishing production in the Fuyuan region has a long history. Archaeological excavations have proven that fishing activities existed in the Fuyuan area as early as before the Tang Dynasty, initiated by the ancestors of the Hezhe people and other ethnic minorities in the Ussuri River basin. To this day, relying on the advantages of its natural environment and resources, fishing remains one of the pillar industries of Fuyuan County.

　　Fuyuan County in Heilongjiang Province encompasses two major river systems, the Heilongjiang and Ussuri rivers, spanning a total of 268 kilometers, especially with a large number of unpolluted lakes and pools within the county. The climate is mild, sunlight abundant, rainfall plentiful, and the ecological environment is sound. Fish resources are rich, including 105 species of fish from 72 genera and 21 families, among which 59 are economically valuable species. Fuyuan County, including four directly administered towns and townships—Haiqing Township, Zhuaji Town, Tongjiang Township, and Fuyuan Town—oversees 26,753 hectares of water bodies, which are important breeding and growth areas for taimen, yielding approximately 2 tons of taimen annually. Taimen grow rapidly, generally weighing around 3 kilograms each, with some reaching over 50 kilograms. They reach sexual maturity at 5 years old, measuring 40–50 centimeters in length. The meat is delicious and tender, a nutritious fish species and a specialty of the cold region, considered a delicacy within the production area. The flesh is rich yet delicate, fragrant and tasty. This fish is extremely high in nutritional value, rich in protein and lecithin, with crude protein content exceeding 20%, unsaturated fatty acid content over 80%, and especially DHA and EPA levels dozens of times higher than common fish, offering benefits such as enriching essence and nourishing deficiency. Fishermen along the Heilongjiang River have a saying: "Fine-scaled fish and taimen, go up in July and down in August," referring to the migration patterns of fine-scaled fish and taimen. Taimen, along with tongluo, yaluo, faluo, and huluo, are hailed as the "Five Larges," rare fish served to honored guests by fishermen.

　　Though they look adorable, they are the apex predators in the water—small fish don’t stand a chance. Taimen and Siberian salmon are both salmonids, relatives of each other. Taimen grows in cold water and feeds on live prey, so its flesh is exceptionally delicate. People in Heilongjiang use it as filling for dumplings, resulting in an exceptionally fresh taste. It’s also great for making stewed fish slices, braised fish chunks, or even fishball soup.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Fuyuan County is located in the northeastern border of the country, between 133°40′–135°5′20" east longitude and 47°25′30"–48°27′40" north latitude, covering a total area of 6,262.48 square kilometers. It borders Russia to the east and north across the Heilongjiang and Ussuri rivers, neighbors Raohe to the south, and connects to Tongjiang to the west. The main streams of the Heilongjiang and Ussuri rivers, spanning 268 kilometers within the county, are rich in fish resources, including 105 species of fish from 72 genera and 21 families, among which 59 are economically valuable species. Fuyuan County, including four directly administered towns and townships—Haiqing Township, Zhuaji Town, Tongjiang Township, and Fuyuan Town—oversees 26,753 hectares of water bodies, which are important breeding and growth areas for taimen, yielding approximately 2 tons of taimen annually.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　This section mainly describes the distinctive quality characteristics of the registered product and the regulations followed in terms of product quality and safety, primarily including: 1. External sensory characteristics: Fuyuan taimen has a long, plump, and streamlined body. Its head is flat, snout pointed, mouth terminal, gape large, with the upper jaw slightly protruding beyond the lower jaw, extending backward past the rear edge of the eye, and teeth small and sharp. The tail fin is shallowly forked. The back is dark brown, while the sides and belly are silver-white. The dorsal side of the head is covered with many small dark spots. Taimen is one of the folk "Three Flowers and Five Larges." 2. Internal quality indicators: Fuyuan taimen grows rapidly, generally weighing around 3 kilograms, with some reaching over 50 kilograms. There is a local fishing proverb along the Heilongjiang River: "Fine-scaled fish and taimen, go up in July and down in August," referring to their migration patterns. They reach sexual maturity at 5 years old, measuring 40–50 centimeters. The meat is delicious and tender, a nutritious fish and a specialty of the cold region, considered a delicacy within the production area. The flesh is rich yet delicate, fragrant and tasty. The fish is extremely high in nutritional value, rich in protein, with crude protein ≥20%, crude fat ≥0.9%, calcium ≥110mg/kg, zinc ≥4mg/kg, magnesium ≥290mg/kg, and unsaturated fatty acids ≥80%. 3. Safety requirements: Fuyuan taimen complies with GB/T18407.4-2001 Agricultural Product Safety Quality – Requirements for Pollution-Free Aquatic Product Growing Environments; the production environment adheres to NY5051-2001 Pollution-Free Food – Freshwater Aquaculture Water Quality Standards; and the product standards follow NY5053-2005 Pollution-Free Food – Common Freshwater Fish.