Yu Yi (L) discusses classification of fish with a colleague at the Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 6, 2025. In the laboratory of Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Yu Yi, a 32-year-old researcher, adjusted the macro lens and took an "ID photo" of a newly acquired native freshwater fish. This is the 498th Chinese native freshwater fish recorded by him, which is one step closer to his goal of "photographing all Chinese native freshwater fish".
Since middle school, Yu has developed a strong interest in biology and began to learn more about fish. In 2014, Yu found a forum for ornamental fish while surfing the Internet, and met like-minded friends in the native fish section. Since then, he has systematically recorded fish images. Starting from a second-hand camera, his equipment has now been upgraded to a professional macro lens. He also restored the original habitat for different fish he photographed in the fish tank.
"Every photo is the genetic 'ID card' of the species." When participating in an artificial breeding project of a fish under top-level state protection, he further realized that the ecosystem is like a precision clock, and every species is an irreplaceable gear.
There are about 1,500 species of freshwater fish in China, but Yu worries that some species may never have a chance to be photographed. Besides the investigation of wild fish resources, he is also involved in compiling illustration books for fish, and establishing his own fish image database. His efforts can provide scientific basis for fish proliferation and release.
"A fish plays an irreplaceable role in the stability, diversity and integrity of an aquatic ecosystem. I hope I can make my own contribution in the process of recognizing, recording and protecting various fish in the future." Yu said. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi checks the photos he took at the Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi gives brief introduction of a fish at the Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi checks an injured fish at the Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi checks a fish he received at the Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi (R) learns about fish resources from a villager in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi checks a newly caught fish in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
This undated file combo photo shows different growth phase of a fish under top-level state protection that Yu Yi photographed. (Xinhua)
This undated file combo photo shows some of the fish species Yu Yi photographed. (Xinhua)
Yu Yi arranges data after a field research in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi takes photos of a fish at the Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi (L) and a fisherman place fishnet in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi checks newly caught fish in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
This undated file photo shows the fish that Yu Yi photographed. (Xinhua)
Yu Yi checks the condition of fish at the Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi (R) and his colleague arrange equipment before a field research at the Fisheries Institute of Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi (R) checks newly caught fish in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi releases the fish he caught for research in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi (L) records newly caught fish in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
Yu Yi (front) changes water and oxygen for the fish sample he collected in Songpan County of Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Sichuan Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)
