Distributes in the brackish and marine water environments with the depth range of 10 m in the Yellow and East China seas in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. The fish is ray-finned, benthopelagic fishes in Actinopterygii class, flat-shaped and golden-colored.

HABITS:

Feeds on crustaceans and fishes, inhabits coastal waters, and acclimates the optimal water temperature ranging between 23 ° C and 34 ° C. Acclimates in the waters with wide ranges of salinity and water temperature

SPAWNING:

Has six stages of the development of the testis and the ovary. Its oogenesis is composed of six phases. To finish the first sex cycle development, female needs 3 years, and 2 years for male. The breeding period can be induced is from middle April to June and from September to October. After spawning, the resting period begins with the oocytes (phase IV, V) naturally degenerating and the primary oocytes (phase I, II) increasing. In winter and early spring, the structure of the ovaries returns to stage II. They begin to develop once more in middle March and attain stage IV in April. The development regulation of the ovaries matured in the fall is very complicated, which involve the problem of spawning type. The fish cultured in floating net cages can reach sexual maturity.

GROWTH:

Fry and fingerlings are cultivated in seawater ponds, then juvenile fish with 7-10 inches length are raised in net cages for one and half years to commercial size with 500-800 grams.

USES:

Has very highly commercial value as one of traditional special seafood species in East China and Taiwan region. Zhoushan sea waters, one of famous fish grounds in the world, are the major producing areas. Zhoushan large yellow croaker is regarded as one of the most delicious and valuable seafood, and its average length of commercial size is 40-50 cm. Commercial marketing price of the natural fish ranges from US$30 to 40 /kg.

CULTURE:

Before 1984, severe overfishing caused the resource destruction of large yellow croaker in the East Sea of China. Successful artificial reproduction in 1990 significantly excelled the development of the fish culture in floating net cages in many natural sea bays along with the coast line of East China. The price of live raised fish ranges from US$ 20 to 30/kg. The cultured fish feed on fresh or frozen low-value fish fillets, similar to techniques of sea bream culture in cages. Currently, no nutritionally complete diet has been formulated. It is a very excellent seawater cultured species with the characteristics of easy rearing, fast growth, less diseases, high economic value and delicious taste. The fish culture in cages has been developed rapidly in East China due to the successful artificial reproduction. At present, Techniques of the fish culture are being introduced to Taiwan and other regions, Southeast and East countries.

REFERENCES:

Masuda, H., K. Amaoka, C. Araga, T.Uyeho, and T. Yoshino. 1984. The fishes of the Japanese Archipelago. Vol 1 (text). Tokai University Press, Tokyo, Japan. 437 Page (text), 370pls.

Lin, D, J. Zhang, J. Luo, Z. Zheng, and X. Shi. 1992. Studies on the gonadal development and the annual reproductive cycle of the cultured large yellow croaker Pseudosciaena crocea. Journal of Fujiang Teachers University.

Compiled by Ruguang Chen, April 2001