Red fish has long been considered a real delicacy, so it could only be seen on the festive tables of our citizens. This definition applies to the majority of the population, although there was and still is a category of citizens who can eat it at least every day. The fish got its name (generalized) because of its excellent taste, and also because the meat of this fish is red (pink) in color.
This tradition continues as the fish becomes more and more rare and rarely seen on festive tables. Red fish is a whole family of valuable fish species, the meat of which is used by culinary specialists all over the world to prepare quite tasty restaurant dishes.
The article tells what types of fish and why are called red and how they are actually called.
Types of red fish
Specialists distinguish 3 main groups of red fish:
- Sturgeon.
- Salmon.
- Salmon white or pink.
The first group includes fish species common in the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas, as well as inhabiting the rivers:
- Stellate sturgeon.
- Beluga.
- Bester.
- Sturgeon Russian, Siberian, Danube and Amur.
- Thorn.
- Sterlad
The second group includes fish that live in the White, Baltic Sea, and also in the Pacific Ocean. This group includes:
- Salmon
- Pink salmon.
- Mink.
- Sim.
- Leave.
- Chavych.
- Loha.
- Semgu.
- Kunju
- Rainbow or river trout, etc.
The color of the meat and caviar of these fish is close to red or orange, like her wedding dress.
Salmon species of fish that have a white meat color include:
- White salmon.
- Taimenya
- I can’t.
- Kizhucha, etc.
According to many experts, this is an extremely wrong interpretation of this issue, since salmon should not be classified as red fish. Despite these disagreements, it still makes sense to pay attention to some groups of fish, which are commonly called red. Our ancestors called the fish “red” not only because it has red meat, but also because it is especially tasty and beautiful.
Sturgeon family
Representatives of this family appeared on our planet about 70 million years ago, so they can be safely considered old-timers on our earth. These fish prefer fresh water and are considered the largest representatives of this kind.
Description of fish and habitat
Fish of this family are distinguished by an elongated body shape and the presence of bone formations on the back and on the head. As a rule, these fish lead a demersal lifestyle, feeding on various underwater representatives of small sizes, so we can say that they are mainly predatory fish.
Interesting fact! As a rule, these fish are considered long-lived fish, while spawning occurs only once every 2-3 years. To spawn, individuals leave the seas for rivers, where they rise upstream to their usual spawning grounds.
Features of sturgeon
The value of this fish lies in its black caviar, which was considered, and even more so, is considered today an exquisite and expensive food product that is not so easy to find on the market. In this regard, sturgeons are exterminated in large quantities by poachers. Therefore, in recent years, the number of this fish is small and a ban has been imposed on catching it.
Artificial Breeding
Due to the fact that in nature the sturgeon population decreases from year to year, sturgeons are bred artificially in special nurseries. As a rule, Russian and Siberian sturgeon, sterlet, bester and beluga are bred. They are bred both for industrial purposes and to increase their numbers in the natural environment, releasing fry, which are also grown.
Sturgeon species with photos and names
Known fish of this family include:
Sturgeon
The family includes up to 20 species of fish inhabiting both the seas and fresh water reservoirs, mainly lakes. As far as we know, up to 90% of all sturgeon species are found in the Caspian Sea.
Some of the sturgeons grow to impressive sizes. Atlantic and white sturgeon can grow up to 6 meters in length, while gaining weight of several centners. These giants inhabit the seas, but in order to spawn or wait out the winter, they move to the rivers.
Some sturgeons prefer exclusively fresh water bodies and do not grow to gigantic sizes. These small fish also stay close to the bottom, feeding on small fish and shellfish. Sturgeons are quite prolific and can throw up to several million eggs during the spawning period, so their mass before spawning increases to 20%, or even more.
It is important to know! Sturgeons are valued because of the high taste characteristics of both meat and caviar. In this regard, sturgeons were caught at a huge pace, which caused the inclusion of various species in the Red Book. Currently, fishing for sturgeons is prohibited.
Sterlet
Although the sterlet belongs to the small representatives of this family, some individuals gain weight up to 15 kilograms, no less. The sterlet lives for about 30 years.
This fish feeds mainly on invertebrates, but if it meets someone else’s caviar on its way, then it will not refuse it. The sterlet spawns in the upper reaches of the rivers at the end of spring. With the advent of autumn, it sinks to the bottom, where it stays there all winter, without showing any activity. This fish is often bred artificially, as it is considered a very valuable and sought-after fish.
Stellate sturgeon
It inhabits mainly the Black, Azov and Caspian seas, although it is also found in the Adriatic and Aegean seas. Spawns in rivers. Life expectancy is about 30 years. Her diet includes small fish and invertebrates.
Fish is caught very actively on an industrial scale. Mostly individuals are caught weighing from 5 to 10 kg, although the fish can gain weight up to 70 kilograms.
Beluga
It is listed in the Red Book and is considered both the largest freshwater fish and an endangered species. Beluga can weigh about 1 thousand kilograms, with a length of 4 meters or more. At the same time, the beluga can live 100 years, no less. It begins to spawn at an average of 15 years, although it spawns only a few times in its life and with a large number of eggs.
The diet of this giant fish includes small fish, shellfish, and often baby seals.
Spike
It is considered a semi-anadromous fish that lives in the Caspian, Aral, Azov and Black Seas. The spike hibernates in rivers such as the Ural or Volga.
The fish lives up to 30 years and grows in length up to 2 meters, with a weight of 30 kilograms.
salmon family
Scientists have identified 3 main subspecies of this family:
- salmon.
- Sigov.
- Khariusov.
Description
Representatives of this family are distinguished by an elongated, compressed from both sides, body shape, which has a gray-blue color. Numerous dark spots can be seen on the back, and the abdomen has a silvery tint. Depending on the habitat conditions, as well as the age of the fish, its color may differ, albeit slightly.
For example, salmon, as one of the brightest representatives of this family, before spawning changes its color to dark, and males acquire red spots.
Where do salmon live?
Salmon lives both in the White and Baltic Seas, and in the rivers included in the basins of these seas. More recently, he met in areas of Siberia. Closer to the northern part of the Pacific Ocean there are numerous flocks of this fish.
Breeding method
As a rule, salmon spawn from year to year in the same places at the end of summer or at the beginning of autumn. For spawning, they enter the rivers.
Fish become sexually mature when they reach 2 or 3 years of age, depending on the habitat. The older the fish, the higher it goes into the rivers to spawn.
After spawning, the fish returns to its natural habitat in late autumn. It often stays in the spawning grounds until spring, depending on weather conditions. This applies to those areas that are located closer to the northern latitudes.
The caviar of this fish is large, and the older the individuals, the more caviar they have. After the fry are born, they live in spawning areas for up to 3 years, until they reach adulthood, after which they roll into the seas, where they form numerous flocks.
Types of salmon with photos and names
Trout
It is considered one of the brightest representatives of this family. It is also called the “pied” fish because of the presence of numerous dark spots located on the body.
This fish is found in the reservoirs of the western part of Europe, as well as in the southern reservoirs of Russia. Trout prefer to live in cold, crystal clear water that is not covered with ice all year round. In the summer, when the water temperature rises, the trout prefers to stay in the shade, in the immediate vicinity of the springs, without showing any activity.
Trout are carnivorous fish that can feed on caviar while they are small, as well as small fish and other inhabitants of the underwater world when they become adults.
Salmon
It is considered one of the most valuable breeds of the salmon family. This fish is able to grow up to one and a half meters in length, with a weight of about 40 kilograms. The usual habitat is the northern waters of the Atlantic, although it prefers to go to the rivers for spawning.
The fish are predatory and feed mainly on small fish such as herring or gerbil. It is found, as a rule, in lakes, such as Ladoga and Onega.
Pink salmon
This is the most numerous species of the salmon family that inhabits the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Pink salmon grows in length up to 70 cm, no more, and reaches a weight of about 3 kilograms.
In the second or third year of life, the fish becomes an adult and is ready to breed. Pink salmon spawns at the end of summer or with the advent of autumn. The peculiarity lies in the fact that all the fry that were born from her eggs are females. After some time, some of them acquire the characteristics of males.
Omul
This is a migratory fish, which, like pink salmon, does not differ in large sizes, growing in length only up to 60 cm, while gaining weight no more than 3 kilograms.
It lives in the Arctic Ocean, but moves to rivers for spawning. There is also the Baikal omul, which belongs to one of the subspecies of this fish. The omul feeds on plankton or small fish. It is of commercial interest, therefore it is caught on a large scale.
Keta
It lives in the northern latitudes of the Pacific Ocean, but to continue its kind, it goes to the rivers. The body of the chum salmon has a silvery hue, without any spots or stripes, but before spawning, its color changes greatly and, its sides acquire a crimson hue.
Keta is summer and autumn. They differ from each other, both in behavior and in their appearance.
Far East salmon
This salmon is also called Pacific salmon. This is an anadromous species of fish that grows and develops in the seas and oceans, and spawning comes to the rivers. At the same time, she spawns in the same places where she was born herself.
All types of salmon differ in that they have different periods of growing up. Coho salmon and chinook salmon are among the most prominent representatives of the Far Eastern salmon.
Health benefits of red fish
Red fish is different in that it contains a whole range of useful components, such as vitamins and minerals, without which a person cannot live at all.
Red fish is rich in:
- Phosphorus.
- Iodine.
- Fluorine.
- calcium and other minerals.
Meat contains:
- Vitamin A”.
- Vitamin “B”.
- Vitamin “PP” and others.
Interesting fact! The beneficial properties of red fish are so significant that nutritionists recommend it for everyday use due to its low calorie content. Regular consumption of red fish meat and its caviar can stop the aging process of the body, strengthen hair and nails, and rejuvenate the skin.
In addition to the fact that fish is considered healthy, it is also tasty, so real masterpieces are prepared from its meat in the form of gourmet dishes.
Red fish can be boiled, fried, baked in the oven, marinated, etc. fish is delicious in any form, but it is most useful raw, salted or pickled. No less useful is it baked in the oven or boiled, but in the fried form it is permissible to use it exclusively for those people who do not have problems associated with digestion. In other words, red fish must be eaten almost every day in order for the body to be replenished with vitamins and trace elements. Unfortunately, it cannot be used by the category of people who have a personal intolerance to seafood.
Live healthy! Salmon is a healthy red fish. (14.06.2017)