Yellow River Catfish Facts: Get to Know the Catfish of the Yellow River
Fisheries Science Facts - Yellow River Catfish
English name: Yellow river catfish
Local name: Yellow River catfish
Taxonomic status: Siluriformes, Siluridae, Silurus
Morphological characteristics: Elongated body. 2 pairs of barbels; in adults the maxillary barbels extend backward beyond the base of the pectoral fin, while the mandibular barbels do not extend backward beyond the posterior margin of the operculum. The anterior edge of the pectoral fin spine has weak serrations. The vomerine tooth band is divided in the middle into 2 left and right crescent-shaped tooth bands. Eyes very small. Dorsal fin i-3; anal fin i-77~86; lateral line scales i-10~11. Body sides grayish brown, belly with grayish brown mottling, all fins grayish black.
Ecological habits: A bottom-dwelling, carnivorous, ferocious fish. It preys on bottom-dwelling fish, shrimps and aquatic insects. The largest individuals can reach more than 10kg. Sexually mature at 3~4 years of age. Eggs large, orange-yellow, strongly adhesive.
Geographical distribution: Distributed in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River; the Ningxia section of the Yellow River is a typical distribution area.
Economic value: Ningxia has established the "Yellow River Catfish National Germplasm Resource Protection Area."
Local name: Yellow River catfish
Taxonomic status: Siluriformes, Siluridae, Silurus
Morphological characteristics: Elongated body. 2 pairs of barbels; in adults the maxillary barbels extend backward beyond the base of the pectoral fin, while the mandibular barbels do not extend backward beyond the posterior margin of the operculum. The anterior edge of the pectoral fin spine has weak serrations. The vomerine tooth band is divided in the middle into 2 left and right crescent-shaped tooth bands. Eyes very small. Dorsal fin i-3; anal fin i-77~86; lateral line scales i-10~11. Body sides grayish brown, belly with grayish brown mottling, all fins grayish black.
Ecological habits: A bottom-dwelling, carnivorous, ferocious fish. It preys on bottom-dwelling fish, shrimps and aquatic insects. The largest individuals can reach more than 10kg. Sexually mature at 3~4 years of age. Eggs large, orange-yellow, strongly adhesive.
Geographical distribution: Distributed in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River; the Ningxia section of the Yellow River is a typical distribution area.
Economic value: Ningxia has established the "Yellow River Catfish National Germplasm Resource Protection Area."