Hucho bleekeri

Sichuan Taimen
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Salmoniformes
Family:	Salmonidae
Genus:	Hucho
Species:	H. bleekeri
Binomial name
Hucho bleekeri Kimura, 1934[1]

The Sichuan taimen (Hucho bleekeri) is a species of freshwater fish in the salmon family (family Salmonidae) of order Salmoniformes.

Habits and range

Sichuan Taimen are endemic to central China, where they are found in the upper tributaries of the Yangtze River in Sichuan Province, the upper and middle reaches of the Dadu River in Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, and the upper reaches of the Hanjiang River south of the Qin Mountains in Shaanxi Province.^[2] It dwells predominantly in fast flowing streams with sandy and gravel substratum.^[3] The species prefers mountain brooks at 700–3,300 meters above sea level with high dissolved oxygen (>5 mg/l) and a low water temperature (<15°C).^[4]

Description

Individuals are usually dark gray on the back with a silvery white underside and small cross-shaped spots scattered on the body and gill cover. Adults grow up to 720 millimeters in length.^[4] Females tend to achieve sexual maturity at four years of age, while males mature earlier.^[5]

Diet

Juveniles feed mostly on zooplankton and insects, while adults are largely piscivorous.^[3]

Threats

According to the IUCN, the Sichuan taimen is threatened mostly by habitat loss from the construction of hydropower stations, erosion of soil due to deforestation, road construction, and sand excavation. Despite legal protections, the species is also threatened by illegal fishing. Recent studies have estimated that the species has endured a 50-80% decline in population over the past three generations, and that decline is expected to continue. It is currently estimated that only 2,000-2,500 mature individuals survive.^[6]

See also

• List of endangered and protected species of China

Notes