RESEARCH PROGRESS ON THE ARTIFICIAL REPRODUCTION AND FRY CULTURE IN YELLOWCHEEK CARP ELOPICHTHYS BAMBUSA

Yellowcheek carp (Elopichthys bambusa), a large and ferocious carnivorous fish that occupies a crucial position in large aquatic ecosystems, is an important economic fish in China. In recent years, the industry of yellowcheek carp has stagnated or even regressed due to comprehensive factors such as germplasm degradation, a sharp drop in parent numbers, a decline in culture scale, and immature technology for large-scale pond culture, all of which fall short of meeting market demand. There is a large research space in the field of broodstock cultivation and postpartum care, large-scale induced spawning, weaning to formula feed, and fine germplasm cultivation in yellowcheek carp. The establishment of a robust breeding technology system is sustainable for driving the sustainable and high-quality advancement of the yellowcheek carp industry. Over the past two decades, breakthroughs have been taken in artificial propagation and rearing for yellowcheek carp, particularly in the critical aspect of transitioning to formula feeding, which provides a key guarantee for its industrial growth. This review systematically summarized the progress in artificial propagation and seedling rearing of yellowcheek carp, pointing to lingering challenges that warrant further studies (e.g., broodstock cultivation and postpartum care, weaning, and fine germplasm cultivation). It also proposes corresponding strategies and measures to address these challenges, offering a valuable reference point for facilitating the sustainable development of the yellowcheek carp industry. This review provides a valuable reference for the development of other large carnivorous fish within the industry.