Golden Lake Loach

Golden Lake Loach

Golden Lake Loach is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　The unique geographical environment of “Golden Lake’s Silver Marshes” gives birth to the “Lotus Marsh Golden Loach,” a delicacy unique to Golden Lake and a true rarity in the world.

　　　　Loach, also known as mud loach or ricefield eel, belongs to the order Cypriniformes and the family Cobitidae. It has an elongated body that is slightly rounded at the front and flattened on the sides towards the rear. Its snout is protruding, eyes are small, mouth is tiny, and the chin is horseshoe-shaped. The lips are soft and well-developed, featuring fine wrinkles and small bumps. There are no fine scales on the head, and the body scales are extremely small, embedded under the skin. The body is covered with abundant mucus. It has no spiny rays on the dorsal fin, and the caudal fin is rounded. The body color is yellowish-brown with many small black spots, and the coloration often varies depending on the living environment.

　　　　Loach is a warm-water fish species with strong adaptability to the environment. It mostly inhabits still or slow-moving shallow waters such as ponds and lakes, usually living at the bottom. When water levels drop, it burrows into the mud and can survive out of water. Loach can breathe not only through its gills but also through its skin and intestines. Breathing through the intestines is a unique physiological feature of loach. Its intestinal walls are thin and rich in blood vessels, allowing it to aid in respiration and gas exchange. During droughts when water dries up, it can burrow into mud layers 10–30 cm deep to “hibernate,” and can survive as long as its skin remains slightly moist. Loach is omnivorous, feeding on plant and animal debris as well as microorganisms.

　　　　The flesh of loach is tender, delicate, and delicious. It contains up to 22.6 grams of protein per 100 grams of edible portion, far higher than other fish species. It also provides fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and various vitamins. With a sweet and mild flavor, regular consumption is believed to have therapeutic effects. The *Introduction to Medicine* describes it as being able to “nourish the middle (digestive) system and relieve diarrhea.” The *Compendium of Materia Medica* records that loach has the effect of warming the body and benefiting qi; it is also said to have medicinal benefits for quenching thirst, sobering up from alcohol, promoting urination, enhancing virility, and treating hemorrhoids. It is effective against hepatitis, night sweats in children, prolapsed hemorrhoids, itchy skin, bruises, finger boils, ascites, and mastitis, among other conditions.

　　　　“The land and water of a place nurture its unique produce.” The vast lotus marshes of Golden Lake feature crystal-clear waters and lush vegetation, where abundant organic matter settles, making it an ideal habitat for loach reproduction and growth. Since the color of loach can vary based on its environment, those in the lotus marshes are not only large and plump—with bodies typically over 20 cm in length and weighing more than 100 grams—but also exhibit bright, vibrant colors, primarily yellowish-brown with golden hues, truly earning the title “Golden Loach.” There is also a beautiful legend about the “Marsh Golden Loach”!

　　Golden Lake Loach

　　 Golden Lake County Agricultural and Sideline Products Marketing Association

　　 10154870

　　 Loach (live)