Freshwater Fish, Shrimp and Shellfish · FFET10447
Songjiang perch
A small fish associated with Songjiang, Shanghai, and described in historical writing as having “four gills.”
Fish, shrimp, crab and molluscs from rivers, lakes and ponds.
Songjiang perch is a small fish associated with the waters of Songjiang, Shanghai; historical writing describes the local fish as having “four gills.” It migrates to the sea to reproduce, and its range extends beyond Songjiang.
What
Songjiang perch is a small fish associated with the waters and food writing of Songjiang, Shanghai. Historical texts describe it as a “four-gilled perch.”1,2
When
Historical writing says that perch from Songjiang uniquely has four gills, and retells a Sui-dynasty anecdote that praises jinji yukuai as a southeastern delicacy. The available material gives no exact year for this text, so the dynasty named in the anecdote cannot establish the earliest recorded date.1,2
Where
Historical accounts associate the fish with Songjiang, Shanghai. Its reported range is broader, extending from the Yalu River estuary to the Jiulong River estuary.1,2
How
Songjiang perch migrates to the sea to reproduce. Historical writing connects it with jinji yukuai, but the available material describes no modern cooking method.1,2
Why
The description “four gills” distinguishes Songjiang perch in historical writing. The text presents this feature as unique to the local fish; this is a historical description.2
Impact and influence
One account reports that stocking of Songjiang perch has succeeded, without giving a scale or year.1