Red Seabream
Also known as：Jiaji fish, crimson sea bream
Pagrus major
- Origin
- Yellow Sea, East China Sea, Bohai Sea
- Season
- May–Jul, Oct–Dec
- Appearance
- A compressed oval body of vivid red with a whitish belly and spiny dorsal fin. The auspicious red color makes it China's traditional banquet fish — 'jiaji' sounds like 'promotion and rank gain.'
Content compiled by the Xian Mancang team
Introduction
品种介绍Red seabream, or jiaji, has been the first course of Shandong banquets since ancient times; 'one fish, two dishes' (braised fish + fish-head soup) is a classic Lu-style preparation. Farmed and wild-caught supply coexist today, with stable live distribution.
Holding Environment
暂养环境Xian Mancang holding advisor: temperature, salinity, water quality and density references per species — feel free to exchange holding experience.
Hold at 18–24°C, salinity 28–33‰, clear water with DO ≥6 mg/L, density 15–30 kg per cubic meter.
5–10 day cycles are suitable; low stress response and low loss make it ideal for live channels. Parameters above are reference values — adjust to water quality and season.
Economic Value
经济价值Priced by size: small fish under 1 jin are moderate; large banquet-size fish (1.5+ jin) carry clear premiums; wild fish cost more. Its festive red color makes it a fixture of weddings and holidays.
Culinary & Commercial Use
烹饪与商业用途Home: steamed red seabream (the red body looks auspicious on the table), braised; the classic Lu 'jiaji two ways': braised fish plus fish-head soup.
Foodservice: auspicious whole fish for weddings, birthdays and business banquets; 'sakura bream' sashimi is also prized in Japanese cuisine.
Buying Guide
选购指南For live fish, look for bright, unfaded red; plump eyes and vigorous swimming. For banquets choose 1.5+ jin with a rounded body.
Market Reference
规格行情Reference price: live 30–80 CNY/jin by size; large wild fish can exceed 100 CNY/jin. Prices rise in wedding season (spring and autumn).
Red Seabream · FAQs
How do I pick the freshest Red Seabream?
For live fish, look for bright, unfaded red; plump eyes and vigorous swimming. For banquets choose 1.5+ jin with a rounded body.
What are the live-holding requirements for Red Seabream?
Hold at 18–24°C, salinity 28–33‰, clear water with DO ≥6 mg/L, density 15–30 kg per cubic meter.
What is the current market price of Red Seabream?
Reference price: live 30–80 CNY/jin by size; large wild fish can exceed 100 CNY/jin. Prices rise in wedding season (spring and autumn).
How do I cook Red Seabream? What methods work best?
Home: steamed red seabream (the red body looks auspicious on the table), braised; the classic Lu 'jiaji two ways': braised fish plus fish-head soup.
Red Seabream · For stock availability and holding consultation, contact us