Bersh fish: description, difference from pike perch, cooking recipes

Bersh and pike perch belong to the same species, so they are often confused with each other. To distinguish them, you need to know about some features of the structure of the body, the behavior of the bersh and its habitats.

Bersh fish: description

This fish belongs to the perch family. Bersh grows in length up to 0,5 meters, with a weight of up to 1,7 kg. Bersh, like perch, is considered a freshwater fish.

Appearance Description

Bersh has the same color as zander, only its stripes are more expressive and symmetrical. It is distinguished by a blunt muzzle and the absence of fangs on the lower jaw. The eyes are more prominent than those of the zander, and the fins, both dorsal and lateral, are large. The long body is elongated. It is covered with large scales, and even smaller scales can be found near the mouth.

Where does the bersh live

Basically, bersh fish is found in rivers such as:

• The Volga River and the Volga River Basin.
• Don River.
• Donets river.
• Dnepr River.

In addition, this fish can also be found in the Caspian Sea, as well as in its basin.

What does a bersh eat

Bersh feeds on small fish, not exceeding 7 cm in length, like pike perch. The minnow is considered the most preferred fish, although fry and other fish species are included in its diet.

Prefers deep places where the bottom is hard and sandy. It is not found in lakes, even flood ones.

When the bersh spawns

Bersh is ready for breeding upon reaching 4 years of age. By this time, it grows up to 25 cm long. It spawns bersh in shallow areas. At the same time, he builds a special nest on the sandy bottom, within the limits of some snag. The male guards the nest where the eggs are laid until the fry appear.

As a rule, it spawns in April or May, when the water warms up to +10 degrees. Caviar is quite small in size and has a yellow color. Bersh is a fairly prolific fish, since the female can lay up to half a million eggs at a time, depending on the habitat.

Caviar ripens within one week. As a result, larvae appear, which stay in a cocoon for several days and feed on the remains of the shell. Their length (larvae) is several millimeters. After 5 days, the larvae turn into fish fry that feed on zooplankton, and after growing up they switch to feeding on fry of other fish.

Bersh behavior: features

Bersh, unlike the same pike perch, hunts for its prey throughout the day. Pike perch, by the way, go hunting at night. Bersh, like perch, hunts in packs, preferring to drive prey to a certain place.

Younger individuals stay close to large pike perches. Therefore, it is very difficult to distinguish a bersh next to pike perch. Large specimens of bersh prefer to stay closer to the middle of the river, and smaller specimens closer to the shore. However, they are at the very bottom.

The difference between bersh fish and pike perch

Despite the fact that some features of its behavior are almost similar to the behavior of zander, there are some differences. For example:

• Bersh does not grow to the same size as zander.
• On the gills of the bersh, you can see scales, but the pike perch does not have it.
• Bersh is distinguished by large eyes, a shorter, but also wider muzzle.
• The bersh has larger scales.
• The stripes on the body of the bersh are distinguished by a more regular geometry.
• Pike perch is found in lakes and reservoirs, and bersh prefers exclusively rivers, both large and small.

Bersh fishing

Fishermen prefer to catch bersh more because it has more tender and juicy meat. But bersh is not so easy to catch. But if you try very hard and study his habits, then you can also cope with this task.

Fishing methods

There are more than enough ways to catch this fish, especially in our time. At the same time, there are those that are very popular with fishermen, and there are those that are not very popular. In any case, they can bring a positive result.

The process of catching a bersh is accompanied by a lot of positive emotions. At the same time, it is enough to arm yourself with the simplest and most affordable gear. Despite this, you need to know some information about him. For example:

• This fish is caught exclusively by amateur anglers. Bersh is not caught on an industrial scale.
• Catching a bersh in the summer is not at all realistic, but with the advent of winter, you can count on success.
• For fishing, a fishing line of medium thickness is chosen, since the bersh does not grow more than 0,5 meters in length.
• Basically, for catching it in winter, they use large jig, elongated.
• Some kind of fish is mounted on the mormyshka, like a perch, gudgeon or sprat.

Tackle for fishing

Bersh can be caught on any gear, such as:

• Spinning. Since this fish prefers a sandy bottom, spinning is great for catching this predator. As a bait, a light-colored oscillator is used. A leash is not needed in this case. The bait should be led at the very bottom, and rather slowly. It is better if fishing is carried out from a boat. It is equally important to determine the bottom topography in order to find the fish site.
• Bottom fishing rod (feeder). As a rule, gear is installed in the evening, and in the morning they are checked. This method of fishing has a number of advantages. Firstly, you do not need to constantly cast and pull out tackle, and secondly, you can use artificial baits. Bottom tackle is used with a sliding sinker.
• Floating rod. This rod is quite difficult to catch, especially in the current, especially since the bersh leads a bottom lifestyle. Therefore, you need to choose areas with a moderate current. In addition, float tackle is difficult to cast far.
• Fishing for mugs. A circle is the same vent, only for catching fish in the summer. First you need to determine the accumulation of fish and only then, throw the tackle. When fishing with circles, live bait is usually used. Large individuals are located somewhere in the fairway of the river, where you need to throw gear and here you can’t do without a boat at all.

Useful properties of bersh

Fish, unlike animal meat, contains much more useful components. In addition to being nutritious, fish meat is also low in calories. In this regard, we can safely attribute bersh meat to a dietary product. At the same time, its meat is quickly absorbed by the body.

The presence of vitamins and microelements in the meat of a predator, along with other useful substances, allows you to replenish the human body with almost all components that have a beneficial effect on the functions of the human body. Moreover, all components act in a complex manner, improving the functioning of the kidneys and liver, refreshing the condition of the skin, strengthening bones and stimulating tissue regeneration.

Regular consumption of fish allows you to cleanse the body of toxins and toxins, while increasing the overall tone of the body, against the background of improving metabolism. In addition, some components have a positive effect on the functions of the central nervous system.

Delicious bersh recipes

From such a predator as bersh, it is really possible to cook various delicious dishes. At the same time, the dishes are not only tasty, but also healthy.

Braised bersh with onion under cheese crust

To prepare this delicious dish, you need to prepare:

• Half a kilo of fish.
• Three bulbs.
• 150 grams of hard cheese.
• 70 grams of mayonnaise.
• Greenery.
• Salt.
• Spice.

Cooking technique:

1. First of all, the fish is cleaned, gutted and washed thoroughly. If you remove all the bones, you get a more desirable dish. After that, the fish is cut into portions, salted and peppered.
2. The onion is cut into half rings and mixed with mayonnaise.
3. The oven turns on and heats up to the desired temperature. The fish is smeared with mayonnaise and onions and placed in a baking dish. In this state, the fish should cook for about 35 minutes.
4. After this time, the fish is taken out of the oven and the dish is sprinkled on top with grated hard cheese. After that, the fish is still sent to the oven for 5 minutes. Before serving, the dish is decorated with chopped herbs.

Bersh with greens

The following components will be required:

• 4 carcasses of medium-sized fish.
• Dill.
• 6 cloves of garlic.
• Parsley.
• Basil.
• Green onions.
• 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise.
• Vegetable oil.
• Salt.
• Pepper.

How to cook properly:

1. The fish is cleaned, gutted and washed thoroughly. In this case, you must not forget to cut off the heads, fins and tail.
2. All greens are crushed, placed in a separate container, with the addition of garlic juice and vegetable oil. After that, all this is salted to taste.
3. Fish carcasses are stuffed with prepared herbs. At the same time, this mixture should be carefully coated with the abdomen of the fish from the inside. The fish is topped with mayonnaise.
4. The fish is placed on a baking dish and sent to the oven for about 40 minutes until the fish is golden brown.

Braised bersh with onions and carrots

To prepare this simple dish, you must have:

• About 2 kg of fish.
• Three bulbs.
• One carrot.
• Flour.
• Salt.
• Spice.
• Vegetable oil.

Method of preparation:

1. The fish is cleaned and washed thoroughly, after which it is cut into portioned pieces. After that, the fish is salted and the necessary spices are added.
2. The fish is rolled in flour, after which it is fried in a pan until a golden hue is obtained.
3. The onion is cut into half rings, and the carrot is chopped on a coarse grater.
4. After the fish is cooked, onions and carrots are fried in the same pan.
5. As soon as the onion is cooked, the fish is laid out on top, the fire is reduced and the fish is stewed under the lid for about 7 minutes.
6. Before serving, the fish is decorated with herbs.

Bersh is considered quite tasty and healthy fish. In appearance, it resembles something between a pike perch and a perch. Catching it is not so easy, because large individuals prefer to be at a depth and away from the coast. Therefore, if a bersh is to be caught, it is better from a boat, armed with deep-sea gear.