Yellow catfish (scientific name: *Tachysurus fulvidraco*), also known as yellow catfish, yellow throat fish, yellow cheek fish, yellow catfish, and yellow flounder, is commonly called yellow catfish in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (Sichuan, Chongqing, and Guizhou), and fish in the lower reaches (Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Zhejiang) (pronounced aon sy ng in Wu dialect, often mistakenly written as angci fish or wangci fish). In Nanchang, it is called yellow tooth head; in Changsha, yellow duck call; in Xuzhou, fish; in Guangdong, yellow bone fish; and in the Heilongjiang River basin, gayazi. In Korea, it is called bullhead fish. It is a widely distributed freshwater fish belonging to the order Siluriformes, family Bagridae, and genus *Tachysurus*. It is widely distributed in major waters of China and East Asia, and is popular in local seafood markets due to its delicious taste and nutritional value. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the yellow catfish from multiple aspects, including scientific classification, morphological characteristics, ecological habits, and conservation status.
1. Scientific taxonomy of yellow catfish
Yellow catfish belongs to the following classification system:
Kingdom: Animal Kingdom
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Siluriformes
Family: Catfish
Genus: Tachysurus
Species: Yellow catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco)
Yellow catfish is a typical member of the catfish family. Like other catfish, it has a long, round body and a strong ability to catch prey.
2. Zoological History of the Yellow Catfish
The discovery of the yellow catfish dates back to the late 19th century, when ichthyologists first described the species in Chinese rivers. As research progressed, scientists gradually realized that it is not only a key species in China's freshwater ecosystem but also plays an important role in local fisheries.
3. Morphological characteristics and physical properties of the yellow catfish
The morphological characteristics of the yellow catfish make it stand out among many fish species, mainly in the following aspects:
Physical characteristics: The yellow catfish has a long, flat body, with a yellowish-green or brown back and a lighter belly. It has prominent barbels and a broad head. Its dorsal fin is black, and its tail fin has a unique shape, adapted for fast swimming.
Body length: Yellow catfish are usually between 60 cm and 100 cm in length, but under special conditions, individuals can reach up to 1 meter in length.
Weight: Adult fish weigh approximately 10 to 20 kilograms, but there is considerable variation between individuals.
Lifespan: Yellow catfish typically live for 8 to 10 years, and may live even longer in ideal habitats.
Its body shape is well adapted to living at the bottom of rivers and lakes, and it is suitable for foraging in murky water.
4. Global Distribution and Habitat
Yellow catfish are mainly distributed in the Yangtze River, Yellow River, and Pearl River basins of China. They can also be found in some waters of Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam and Laos. They prefer to inhabit rivers and lakes with slow currents and soft bottoms.
Habitat: Yellow catfish prefer to inhabit deep water areas where the current is slow, the water quality is slightly turbid, and the water temperature is generally between 18°C and 28°C.
5. Ecology and Behavior of Yellow Catfish
Yellow catfish play an important role in the ecosystem, especially in controlling the populations of small fish and invertebrates. Their main ecological behavioral characteristics include:
Foraging behavior: Yellow catfish are bottom-dwelling fish that use their sensitive fibrous root system to find food on the bottom of the water. They mainly prey on small fish, crustaceans, insects, etc.
Nocturnal activity: They are nocturnal animals and are usually more active at night, while during the day they mostly live in underwater caves or sediments.
Territoriality: Yellow catfish are territorial, especially adults, who often stay within a fixed area.
6. Migration patterns of yellow catfish
Yellow catfish do not migrate long distances; their migration activities are mainly influenced by seasonal changes, reproductive needs, and water temperature fluctuations. Typically, during spring and summer, yellow catfish will move to different habitats to forage or reproduce, depending on changes in water level and temperature.
7. Daily activities and social behavior of yellow catfish
Yellow catfish are generally solitary animals and do not form large groups. Adult yellow catfish usually seek suitable habitats in different corners of the water to avoid conflict with their own kind. Due to their strong territoriality, adults sometimes engage in small-scale fights in the water.
8. Feeding habits and foraging strategies of yellow catfish
Yellow catfish are primarily omnivorous, and their diet includes:
Small fish: Yellow catfish prey on other small fish.
Invertebrates: including crustaceans, insects, etc.
Humus: They also consume the organic debris at the bottom.
They typically sense the presence of food at night using their antennae and root system, and quickly capture it.
9. Reproductive behavior of yellow catfish
The breeding season for yellow catfish is generally in spring, when the water temperature and level are suitable. During the breeding process, yellow catfish will choose deeper waters with soft bottoms to lay their eggs. Each spawning session produces a large number of eggs, with the female laying thousands. After hatching, the fry will grow under the care of their parents.
10. Current status and protection level of the yellow catfish
The yellow catfish is currently classified as **"Least Concern"**, meaning its overall population is stable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, in some areas, its population is threatened by water pollution, habitat loss, and overfishing.
Population status: In some areas, the population of yellow catfish is relatively healthy, especially in areas with good water quality and protected environment.
Threats: Water pollution, river modification (such as damming), and overfishing are the main reasons for the decline in yellow catfish populations.
11. Conservation measures for yellow catfish
To protect the population of yellow catfish, several effective conservation measures have been implemented:
Habitat protection: Protect the habitat of yellow catfish by establishing nature reserves and fishing ban areas.
Artificial breeding and release: Some fisheries organizations help restore the population of yellow catfish by artificially breeding and releasing juvenile fish back into natural waters.
Water quality management: Strengthen the monitoring and improvement of water quality to reduce the impact of water pollution on the habitat of yellow catfish.
12. Ecological value of yellow catfish
Yellow catfish play a vital role in ecosystems, maintaining food chain balance by controlling the populations of small fish and aquatic invertebrates. Furthermore, their adaptability to water quality makes them an indicator species for aquatic health.
13. The cultural and economic value of the yellow catfish
Cultural Value: In China, yellow catfish is widely used in local cuisine, especially in the Jiangnan region, where it is an important traditional aquatic product. It also frequently appears in local festivals and banquets, symbolizing harvest and wealth.
Economic value: Yellow catfish is an important aquaculture species in the region, widely used in commercial farming and sales. Its flesh is delicious, rich in protein and nutrients, making it a popular product in the market.
14. Close relatives of the yellow catfish
| Species name | Common Names | Distribution area | Body length (cm) | feeding habits | Protection level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tachysurus apodus | Yellow catfish | China and Vietnam | 70-90 | Omnivorous | No danger |
| Pseudobagrus sinensis | Chinese catfish | China | 50-80 | Carnivorous | Vulnerable |
| Bagrus bayad | African catfish | Africa | 100-120 | Carnivorous | No danger |
Conclusion
The yellow catfish is one of the important freshwater fish species in China and East Asia, possessing rich ecological functions and cultural and economic value. Due to the impact of human activities, the yellow catfish's habitat is threatened, but through strengthened protection measures, improved habitat quality, and rational management of aquaculture, its population is expected to maintain stable development in the future.
