Yongjia Rice Field Fish

Yongjia Rice Field Fish

　　Yongjia rice field fish grow in paddy fields. They resemble carp in shape, surpass crucian carp in taste, have scales like Chinese mud carp, and display colors akin to goldfish.

　　　　The practice of raising fish in rice paddies in Yongjia has a long history. According to local legends along the Nanxi River, ancestors in the region began using paddy fields for fish farming as early as the Three Kingdoms period under the Wu Kingdom, dating back over 1,700 years. Historical records indicate that Yongjia is also one of the birthplaces of rice field fish farming in China.

　　　　Rice field fish are a localized breed of carp that have adapted to living in paddy fields, hence their common name “rice field fish.” Through long-term farming in rice paddies, they have become tamer than ordinary carp, less inclined to jump, and less likely to escape, making them an ideal and excellent fish species for rice paddy aquaculture.

　　　　Based on body color, rice field fish can be classified into red rice field fish, black rice field fish, white rice field fish, and calico rice field fish (also known as matchstick head). Based on scale type, they are divided into large-scale and fine-scale varieties. Yongjia rice field fish are known for their diverse diet, wide adaptability, strong reproductive ability, high survival rate, rapid growth, tender and delicious meat, and rich nutrition. They are also considered a medicinal fish—their flesh is believed to have diuretic and anti-swelling properties.

　　　　As omnivorous and highly adaptable fish, rice field fish can thrive on a wide range of feed and are not demanding in terms of other living conditions. Even in shallow water where half of their backs may be exposed above the surface, they can press their bellies against the mud and “crawl” across the paddy field using their pectoral fins.

　　　　Rice field fish grow relatively quickly, with yearling fish reaching up to 500 grams. Their meat is delicious, regardless of size, and fish weighing between 50-100 grams are already suitable for consumption, making them ideal for short-cycle cultivation of small edible fish in rice paddies. With excellent color, aroma, and flavor, they have long been regarded as a fine dish for entertaining guests.

　　　　Raising fish in rice paddies offers many benefits. The fish help control pests, loosen soil and oxygenate it, preserve and enhance soil fertility, improve rice growth and development, and promote tillering. Generally speaking, rice paddies with fish can yield about 10% more grain than those without. With more lush rice and abundant rice flowers, the fish enjoy plentiful feed and grow particularly plump. As the people of Nanxi often say: “Fish nurture the rice in the paddies, and the rice paddies nurture the fish—more rice, more fish.”

　　　　Yongjia rice field fish, with their vibrant and varied colors, have also become an ideal ornamental fish species. Many locals in Nanxi raise them in home aquariums and ponds to beautify and embellish their living environments.