Abstract: To better protect aquatic biodiversity and save rare and endangered protected fish species in China, a systematic review and induction was conducted on the research and breeding of freshwater fishes in the National Key Protected Wildlife List and the current situation of breeding and release. At the same time, the problems in China′s current breeding and release are analyzed: ① Artificial breeding technology is immature; ② Unreasonable release of species disrupts ecological balance; ③ Unscientific breeding and release affects the genetic quality of the population; ④ Evaluation on breeding and release effect is inadequate. Targeted protection suggestions are proposed: ① Strengthening research on artificial breeding technology and establishing a technical support system for release; ② Establishing a sound system of relevant laws and regulations, and correctly guiding the practice of release; ③ Scientific planning and rational layout to improve the scientificity of breeding and release; ④ Improving the evaluation of breeding and release effects, scientifically determining the types and scale of release.