Four-Spined Perch

Four-Spined Perch

The Four-Spined Perch is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　The Four-Spined Perch is one of the famous local specialties of Jiangsu Province, mainly found in the middle and lower reaches of the Guanhe River. Each fish typically weighs between 3 to 5 jin (approximately 1.5 to 2.5 kg), though some can grow to dozens of jin. The fish has a bluish-gray body with black spots on its sides and dorsal fin. In reality, it only has two gills, but each gill cover has an additional deeper fold, giving it the appearance of having four gills—hence the name. This species is only found in the Guanhe River and Songjiang areas in China. According to fishermen, the ones from Songjiang are generally smaller and not as flavorful as those from the Guanhe. Originally a sea fish, it can also survive in freshwater. Due to the mixed brackish waters of the Guanhe, which suit its living habits, it grows rapidly—often reaching over 1 jin within a year. It adapts well to both fresh and saltwater, suffers from few diseases, and boasts delicious meat. It lives in the middle and lower layers of water and feeds on small fish and shrimp as an adult. The Guanhe River has abundant fry, and the fishing season runs from late April to early May—between the Grain Rain and Start of Summer solar terms—when the fry are most concentrated. In late autumn and early winter, when reed catkins are in full bloom, schools of Four-Spined Perch swim to the nearby river estuaries near Kaishan, staying there until around the Start of Summer the following year before entering the Guanhe River to spawn in areas such as Chen Port, Shuang Port, and Xiangshui Port. The fish has tender, snow-white flesh. When cooked, the meat separates into garlic-clove-like flakes, and the broth turns milky white, thick, richly textured, and deliciously fragrant.

　　Guanhe Four-Spined Perch

　　Xiangshui County Specialty Agricultural Products Cultivation Technology Association

　　11221852

　　Fish (not live)