Golden mandarin fish facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Golden mandarin fish
Yellow (foreground) and speckled (behind) individuals
Conservation status
Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Siniperca scherzeri scherzeri Steindachner, 1892 Siniperca chui P. W. Fang & L. T. Chong, 1932 Siniperca scherzeri chui P. W. Fang & L. T. Chong, 1932 Siniperca kwangsiensis P. W. Fang & L. T. Chong, 1932 Siniperca scherzeri kwangsiensis P. W. Fang & L. T. Chong, 1932 Siniperca schezeri kichuani H. J. Shih, 1937 Siniperca kichuani H. J. Shih, 1937

The golden mandarin fish (Siniperca scherzeri), also known as the leopard mandarin fish, is a species of freshwater ray-finned fish, an Asian perch from the family Sinipercidae, which is native to eastern Asia (Korea, China, and Vietnam). This species can reach at least 33.4 cm (1.1 ft) in standard length and 607.3 g (1.34 lb) in weight. It is typically yellowish-brown with blackish-brown speckles ("leopard"), but there are also bright yellow ("golden") individuals, which are particularly prized in Korea and selectively bred in captivity.

It is a commercially important fish, but has declined due to overfishing and habitat loss. It is farmed; typically using pure specimens, but sometimes involving hybrids with the faster-growing mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi). Danyang County, North Chungcheong Province organizes a fishing festival for golden mandarin fish every April.