Osmanthus fragrans, Siniperca. The body is tall and flat, with a raised back. The mouth is big, and the lower jaw is obviously longer than the upper jaw. There are small teeth of different sizes on the upper and lower jaws, the plough bone and the flap bone. The posterior edge of the anterior branchial lid bone is serrated and there are 4 large spines on the lower edge. There are two large spines at the posterior margin of the posterior branchial operculum. The head is scaly and the scales are small; The lateral line bends upward along the back arc. The dorsal fin is divided into two parts, which are connected with each other. The front part is a hard thorn and the back part is a soft fin. The body is yellow-green, the abdomen is gray-white, and there are irregular dark brown spots and patches on the side; There is a long and narrow black band from the kissing end through the orbit to the front and lower part of the dorsal fin.

life habit

Siniperca chuatsi generally inhabit still water or slow-flowing water-related pictures, especially in lakes with lush aquatic plants. It is not active in winter, often overwinters in deep water, and generally does not completely stop eating. When the weather gets warmer in spring, they swim to the shallow coastal areas for food; At this time, the male and female fish have the habit of lying on their sides at the bottom of the lake every day, and they are active and foraging in the water grass at night. They mainly feed on other fish. The feeding in1~ February is poor, and it is the most vigorous in June ~ July, and the feeding intensity decreases slightly during reproductive period. Siniperca chuatsi usually grows to 2 winter ages, and sexual maturity is not achieved until 3 winter ages in Northeast China. Parent fish congregate in May to July to lay eggs at night in a gentle flowing water environment. June to July is the peak period for spawning, and the number of eggs conceived is 300,000-200,000.

Species identification

There are two kinds of common Siniperca chuatsi, which are very similar in appearance. The difference is that the gill harrow of S.chuatsi (English name: Mandarinfish, Aukua) is 7, the eyes are small, the head length is 5.3~8. 1 times of the eye diameter, and the maxilla reaches below the rear edge of the eye, and the lateral line scales is/. While S.kneri (English name: Bigeye mandarinfish) has 6 gill rakes, larger eyes, head length of 4.7-5.1times of the eye diameter, maxilla reaching just below the front of the eye's posterior edge, lateral line scales of 85-98, no scales on cheeks, and 74-98 pylorus. Siniperca chuatsi grows fast and is large, usually 2~2.5 kg, and the maximum individual weight can reach 50 kg; Siniperca bigeye grows slowly, and the individual is small, and the largest individual can grow to 2 kg.

distribution range

Siniperca chuatsi is widely distributed in Jialing River basin and rivers and lakes in the eastern plain of China. The natural output is quite high. The meat is white, tender and delicious, without small thorns, and is rich in protein. Every 100 grams of edible part contains protein 15.5~ 19.3 grams, fat 0.4~3.5 grams, heat 78~ 109 kcal, calcium 79~206 mg and phosphorus 107~ 143 mg. Siniperca chuatsi has been listed as one of the precious fish since ancient times. 1972 Among the funerary objects in Mawangdui Han Tomb, there are mandarin fish! There are many clusters of pylorus of Siniperca chuatsi, commonly known as osmanthus fish, which is fragrant, crisp and delicious. It can be said that "there are Siniperca chuatsi on the table, and bear's paw can also be given up". It is worth noting that 12 dorsal fin spines, 3 anal fin spines and 2 ventral fin spines of Siniperca chuatsi are all distributed with poisonous glands. If they are stabbed, they have severe swelling and pain, fever and chills, which is one of the most serious stings among freshwater stinging fishes. Special care should be taken when catching and dissecting mandarin fish.