Schizothoracine fishes (Cyprinidae, Osteichthyes) are a group of cyprinid fishes distributed in and around the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. China is a concentrated distribution area of schizothoracine fishes, with a total of 11 genera and about 99 species and subspecies, mainly distributed in plateau rivers and lakes in Xizang, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Chongqing, Hubei and Hunan provinces. Schizothoracine fishes share the morphological trait that specialized scales (anal scales) distribute on each side of the anal and anal fin bases, which are characterized by slow growth, long life span, late sexual maturity, and low fertility. With the development of society and economy, human activities such as overfishing, biological invasion and hydroelectric development have seriously threatened the survival of schizothoracine fishes, and most schizothoracine fishes are in the status of critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable and near threatened at present. In order to protect and restore the natural populations of schizothoracine fishes, the establishment of aquatic germplasm resource reserves and artificial proliferation and release are the two primary measures adopted. The comprehensive ban on fishing for 5 to 10 years is another robust measure. Schizothoracine fishes are typical cold-water fishes with high water quality requirements, usually can only live in pollution-free cold water at high altitude areas, with high protein content, tender and delicious meat, easy processing, rich in amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. Schizothoracine fishes have become a new economic growth point in the local market and have broad consumption prospects. In the context of large-scale conservation and a total ban on fishing, the artificial farming of schizothoracine fishes can not only protect their natural resources, but also meet the expanding market demand and increase the income of local fishermen. After decades of scientific and technological research and breeding promotion, the large-scale breeding and commercial culture of schizothoracine fishes have been realized. By referring to relevant literature and combining with field investigation, this study summarized and reviewed the research progress of the biological characteristics, resource conservation status, germplasm evaluation and genetic breeding, breeding techniques, and intensive processing of schizothoracine fishes, focused on the exploration of germplasm genetic resources, artificial breeding and technology development, and finally analyzed the existing problems and development prospects. This study provides a reference for the resource conservation of schizothoracine fishes and the high-quality development of fishery culture in mountainous areas.