What are the main varieties of loach known as "ginseng of the water"

Loach is also called fish loach or loach fish, and is more widely distributed in the south, while it is uncommon in the north. They live in lakes and ponds and have high nutritional value, which is why they are also called "ginseng of the water." Loach can basically be harvested throughout the year, and the largest yields come in summer. After people catch loach, they can use it fresh or eat it after drying, and there are many ways to eat it. So do you know what the main varieties of loach are?

1. True loach

True loach is the most common loach variety and is widely distributed in China. Whether in lakes, ditches, rice paddies, ponds or reservoirs and other freshwater waters, they can be found. The true loach has a cylindrical body shape and looks rather plump, so people also call it "meat loach."

2. Large-scale loach

The large-scale loach is mainly distributed in Sichuan, Zhejiang, Taiwan, China, Liaoning, Heilongjiang and other areas. The water temperature in which it lives is generally 10-30°C, and the most suitable water temperature for them is 25-27°C. They are omnivorous animals. In the juvenile fish stage, they mainly feed on zooplankton, chironomid larvae, tubifex and so on. After growing up, the large-scale loach can eat many kinds of insects and also feeds on filamentous algae, plant roots, stems, leaves and humus.

3. Chinese sand loach

The Chinese sand loach has a rather cute common name, "Chuanjinmei," and it is a species unique to China. Their appearance resembles that of loach, and they often stay with mud and sand, so people also call them sand loach. The Chinese sand loach has tender flesh and a delicious taste, so it has high edible value. In addition, they also have high ornamental value. They have slender bodies, relatively bright body colors, and beautiful markings on their body surface, so the Chinese sand loach is also kept by people as an ornamental fish.

4. Taiwan loach

The Taiwan loach is a relatively special loach variety and is also a currently popular aquaculture variety. It is mainly distributed in Sichuan, Zhejiang, Taiwan, China, Liaoning, Heilongjiang and other areas. This kind of loach has very big differences: it is large in size, grows quickly, has a relatively low feed conversion ratio, and also has strong disease resistance. Therefore, the Taiwan loach has attracted the attention of many farmers. Its breeding cycle is short, so for most areas, if the timing is well controlled, two crops of finished products can be produced in one year.

5. Northern spiny loach

The northern spiny loach is also called pike, nile gouzi or flower loach, and is mainly distributed in the Irtysh River and other areas in northern Xinjiang. They usually live in clear, cold water and mainly feed on crustaceans, insects and so on. The spawning period of the northern spiny loach is generally from early May to mid-June. They are numerous, and their flesh is tender and delicious, so they are also often dried into fish by people and eaten.