Every year during the rainy season, the Yangtze River region suffers from severe flooding. The construction of the Three Gorges Dam has greatly reduced the frequency of natural disasters and achieved remarkable success in flood control.
The Three Gorges Project is a project that benefits the present generation and future generations. It provides security for people living in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and the dam also serves critical functions in navigation and power generation.
Many types of fish live in these waters, and many of them are migratory fish. Although the dam has brought great benefits to people, it has also become an obstacle for these fish.
The dam affects fish migration, but after the completion of the Three Gorges Reservoir, solutions were developed to help fish migrate. In the suitable environment of the reservoir, fish can reproduce freely.
1. What Fish Live in the Yangtze River?
The Yangtze is the third-longest river in the world and is of great importance to China. It flows through many provinces and has numerous tributaries. Where there are rivers, there are human settlements—and where there are rivers, there is life.
With such a vast water area, the Yangtze is rich in fish. Researchers estimate that about 400 species of fish live in the river, along with plankton, phytoplankton, and even freshwater cetaceans.
The river is home to the well-known “Four Great Domestic Fish” — black carp, grass carp, silver carp, and bighead carp. It also hosts nationally protected wildlife: the Yangtze finless porpoise, Chinese paddlefish, Chinese sturgeon, Yangtze sturgeon, and more.
The Yangtze is also famous for its “Three Delicacies”: reeves shad, tapertail anchovy, and pufferfish. These wild fish have tender meat and high market value, supporting many local fishermen. However, overfishing has grown severe in recent years, so the country has implemented strict fishing bans.
2. How Big Is the Largest Fish in the Three Gorges Reservoir After Nearly 20 Years?
We often see videos of huge fish living in the ocean. In fact, some fish in the Yangtze River also grow to impressive sizes — especially in the Three Gorges Reservoir, where some species live relatively free from fishing pressure.
The Chinese sturgeon is widely known and lives in the Yangtze River basin. People call it the King of the Yangtze Fish.
The largest Chinese sturgeon can reach up to 5 meters in length and weigh 600 kilograms. These giant fish can live for 40 years, making them the largest fish in the Yangtze River basin.
Conclusion
The construction of the Three Gorges Dam and human overfishing have impacted fish in the Yangtze River. For example, the Chinese paddlefish has already gone extinct. Going forward, we must strengthen protection for these species and strictly prohibit overfishing.
