Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which fish live in the Amur River?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Topographic map of the Amur River basin and its drainage network, covering parts of northeastern China, eastern Russia, Mongolia, and North Korea. The map uses color shading to indicate elevation, shows major rivers and tributaries, surrounding mountain ranges, swamps, marshes, and lakes, and includes a locator inset of the region within Asia. Major cities, railways, and dams are also marked. — Amur River The Amur River basin and its drainage network.

The Amur River is exceptionally rich in biodiversity, hosting approximately 100 fish species in its lower reaches and 60 in its upper course, a variety that exceeds that of major European rivers like the Volga or the Danube.1

Of these, about 25 to 30 species hold commercial value. The fish population includes a mix of northern and southern varieties:1

Northern species: These include the Siberian salmon, the sig, and the burbot.1
Southern species: These include the Chinese perch and the white amur.1
Other varieties: The river is home to approximately 20 indigenous species of carp and broadhead.1

A notable characteristic of the Amur is the presence of species like the Siberian salmon that develop in the sea, which allows them to avoid the significant fluctuations in water levels that occur in the river during the summer months. Fishing remains a primary economic activity within the Amur River basin.12