Sichuan taimen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sichuan taimen |
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| preserved specimen | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hucho
|
| Species: |
bleekeri
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Hucho bleckeri Kimura, 1934 |
|
The Sichuan taimen (scientific name: Hucho bleekeri) is a special kind of freshwater fish. It belongs to the salmon family. This fish lives only in the Yangtze River area in China. You can find it in mountain streams and small rivers. These fish are mostly found in places like the Dadu River in Sichuan and Qinghai Provinces. They also live in the Hanjiang River and its smaller rivers in southern Shaanxi province. Sadly, the Sichuan taimen is in danger. Its home is shrinking, and people sometimes fish for it illegally. Because of this, it is listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Contents
What Does the Sichuan Taimen Look Like?
The Sichuan taimen has a dark gray back. Its belly is a silvery white color. It also has small, cross-shaped spots on its body and on its gill covers. Adult fish can grow to be about 64 centimeters (about 25 inches) long.
Where Do Sichuan Taimen Live?
Sichuan taimen are found only in the Yangtze River basin in China. They live in the upper parts of the Yangtze River's smaller streams in Sichuan Province. You can also find them in the middle and upper parts of the Dadu River in Sichuan and Qinghai Provinces. They also live in the upper parts of the Hanjiang River in southern Shaanxi Province.
These fish like to live in fast-moving streams. They prefer places with sand and gravel at the bottom. They often live in mountain streams that are 700 to 3,300 meters (about 2,300 to 10,800 feet) above sea level. The water in these places has a lot of oxygen and is cool, usually less than 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit).
What Do Sichuan Taimen Eat?
When they are young, Sichuan taimen mostly eat tiny water creatures called zooplankton and insects. As they grow older, they become piscivorous, which means they mostly eat other fish.
Why Are Sichuan Taimen in Danger?
The Sichuan taimen faces many threats. One big problem is habitat loss. This happens when their natural homes are destroyed or changed. For example, building power stations on rivers can harm their living areas. Cutting down trees (deforestation) can cause soil to wash into the rivers, which also hurts their home. Building roads and digging for sand also cause problems.
Even though there are laws to protect them, illegal fishing is still a threat. Experts believe that the number of Sichuan taimen has dropped by 50 to 80 percent in the last three fish generations. This decline is expected to continue. It is thought that only about 2,000 to 2,500 adult fish are left. The Sichuan taimen is a top-protected species in China.
See also
