(250522) -- CHENGDU, May 22, 2025 (Xinhua) -- 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. 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)