This species occurs in the main stream and tributaries of middle and upper Yellow River. It occupies a large range, but there are a number of widespread threats to this species in the Yellow River, including several large hydroelectric dams, several invasive species that have established throughout much of the main river, widespread overfishing, and the introduction of detrimental genetic material associated with formal stocking programs throughout the species range. Based on the pervasiveness of these threats, the species is expected to occur in approximately 10 threat-based locations. All existing threats are contributing to an inferred and continuous decline in habitat quality and habitat availability. 
This species has a generation length that is estimated to be between 5-7 years. In the last 40 years, population is suspected to have declined by up to 50%. In the last 20 years, rate of population decline could be anywhere from 15-30%, though the most realistic estimate is probably somewhere between 20-30%. This rate of population decline is based on an index of abundance, declines in habitat quality, and the effects of introduced taxa. 
Based on this information, this species is assessed as Near Threatened under criterion A2bce, because the most likely rate of population decline over the last three generations is between 20-30%.

This species occurs in the main stream and tributaries of middle and upper Yellow River in Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Nei Mongol, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Henan, China.
There are a number of widespread threats to this species in the Yellow river, including several large hydroelectric dams, several invasive species that have established throughout much of the main Yellow River, widespread overfishing, and the introduction of detrimental genetic material associated with formal stocking programs throughout the species range. Based on the pervasiveness of these threats, the species is expected to occur in approximately 10 threat-based locations.

This species used to be common in the upper and middle Yellow River. Estimated population continues to decline throughout much of its range. In the past 40 years, population is suspected to have declined by approximately 50%. However, these data are fairly uncertain, and the rate of population decline over the last 20-25 years (the time window where population rate decline would be measured based on generation length) is highly uncertain. A best estimate of population rate decline in the last 20 years is probably more feasibly between 15-30%. 

These declines are estimated using an index of abundance appropriate to the species, a decline in quality and availability of habitat, and based on the effects of introduced taxa and genetic material. Additionally, the threats that are causing this population decline have not ceased, and may not be reversible (e.g., establishment of invasive species).

These species occurs in the main stream of the Yellow River, occurring in both lotic and lentic environments. This species is carnivorous, feeding on small fish, prawns, and benthic invertebrates. Sexual maturity occurs at age 2-3. This species breeds during April to July, and lays sticky eggs in running water over sandy substrate. Generation length is estimated to be approximately 5-7 years, with an age at fist reproduction between 2-3 years, and an average length of reproductive cycle of 12 years.

There are several pervasive and widespread threats that are impacting this species in the Yellow river, including several large hydroelectric dams, several widely distributed invasive species, widespread overfishing, and the introduction of detrimental genetic material associated with formal stocking programs throughout the species range. Dam construction has fragmented habitat and altered water flow of the river, resulting in sedimentation of spawning grounds and a shift from a riverine environment to artificial reservoirs characterized by reduced water flow. Overfishing results in a continuing decline in the number of mature individuals.

This species is a popular food fish throughout its range, and fishing pressure has probably resulted in overfishing.

This species has been listed as protected in several provinces at the provincial level. A national germplasm resource protection area has been erected. It is recommended to prohibit illegal fishing, set up non-fishing area and closed season, and limit capture yield and catchable size. Since artificial breeding of the fish is successful, more efforts should be made to restock natural population by releasing artificially bred young fishes into the wild. The creation of an action recovery plan is an additional conservation recommendation.