The river eel, known scientifically as *Gymnocypris przewalskii*, is the largest species within its genus. Typically weighing around 250 grams, the largest individuals can exceed 1 kilogram in weight. This fish is prized for its tender and flavorful flesh, with minimal spines, making it a highly sought-after delicacy. It has long been considered a premium freshwater fish, popular among consumers and fetching high prices in markets. In Guangzhou, the market price exceeds 60 RMB per kilogram, yet supply remains limited, creating a strong demand.
For many years, the population of this species relied solely on natural fishing, with no artificial breeding efforts in place. However, as living standards have improved and demand from both domestic and foreign markets has grown, the natural catch has failed to meet the increasing needs. This has made it urgent to develop artificial breeding techniques for the river eel in Inner Mongolia.
First, let’s look at the classification and biological characteristics of the yellow river catfish, also known as *Pseudobagrus fulvidraco*. Commonly referred to as Jiang Yan, Bone Fish, or Langsi (in Sichuan), this species belongs to the family Bagridae. It is widely distributed in the Hanjiang, Dongjiang, Beijiang, and Xijiang river systems in Guangdong, and is commonly found in the Pearl River Delta region. As a warm-water fish, it is primarily nocturnal. It can survive in water temperatures ranging from 0°C to 38°C, but grows best between 25°C and 28°C. The ideal pH range is 7.0 to 8.4, and it can tolerate low oxygen levels, thriving when dissolved oxygen is above 3 mg/L. If the level drops below 2 mg/L, the fish begins to show stress, and below 1 mg/L, it risks suffocation.
Second, the reproductive cycle of the yellow river catfish is still not fully understood. Sexual maturity occurs early, with females reaching stage IV ovarian development by early April. Their eggs are yellow in color, with an average diameter of 1.5–1.9 mm and a ripening parameter of 17.8. Males can release sperm upon gentle pressure. The natural breeding population has a male-to-female ratio of approximately 1:1.17. Each spawning event produces between 1,248 and 12,417 eggs, with an average of about 3,883. Spawning occurs once a year, typically between April and June, with females laying eggs in nests dug into the riverbed. Under optimal water temperatures of 20–24.5°C, hatching takes roughly 49 hours.
Artificial breeding methods such as using DOM+LRH-A2, HCG, and carp pituitary have shown success in inducing spawning and artificial hatching. However, large-scale production of seedlings is still not technically mature, limiting commercial viability. Currently, most seedlings are still sourced from wild populations, which restricts the growth of aquaculture in this sector.
Third, breeding the yellow river catfish is feasible through various methods, including pond culture, polyculture with other fish species, and cage culture in rivers and reservoirs. As an omnivorous species, it has diverse feeding habits and does not require highly specialized nutrition. Feeding is relatively easy, with common diets including chilled fish paste, fish pellets, and mixed feed. Juveniles are usually raised to sizes of 5–8 cm before being transferred to cages, where larger fish are maintained. In polyculture systems, the addition of yellow river catfish to ponds can increase yield by 10–15 kg per acre without affecting the main fish species. In intensive farming, up to 250–500 kg of fish can be harvested per acre.
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