Does the catfish have scales? Scaly fish processing

What is a fish without bones? How to cut fish? What is the most delicious and healthy fish? How to cook bony fish? Let's try to answer these and other questions.

From a scientific point of view, fish are divided into bony and cartilaginous. These are two different classes of fish. Cartilaginous fish have no gill covers and no swim bladder - they are different sharks, rays and chimeras. Bony fish have a developed bony skeleton, consisting of a vertebra and rib bones, and the gills close the gill covers, and they have a swim bladder - this is all river fish and most marine fish.

When we say “fish without bones,” we mean the absence of small fork bones, the number of which determines the boneiness of the fish.

In cooking, sea and river fish are divided according to their bone structure:

1. Fish without bones;
2. Fish with few small fork bones;
3. Bony fish (bony).

Within the framework of one article, it is impossible to give the entire list of river and sea fish without bones, low-boned and bony fish - these are thousands of names. We will name only those types of fish that we often hear about, which we catch, cook or eat, there are no sharks and moray eels. The lists contain fish that some people like and others dislike, available and expensive, rare and not so, different in the degree of usefulness, safety and taste. In order not to offend anyone, the names of the fish are in alphabetical order.

Fish without bones, or without small bones, are sturgeon, some cod and salmon. It can be river, lake, anadromous or sea fish.

Anadromous fish- This is a fish entering fresh waters of rivers for spawning. Anadromous salmon rise upstream of rivers, overcoming any obstacles in their path, spawn, and slide downstream and die. Anadromous sturgeons enter rivers, but do not rise high and return to the sea until the next spawning. River eel, on the other hand, goes into the sea for spawning. Anadromous and semi-anadromous fish can inhabit both fresh and salt water.

River fish and checkpoint

Sturgeon, sturgeon - the general name of freshwater sturgeon, anadromous and semi-anadromous fish. This is a bone-cartilaginous type of fish that can live for 50, 100 or more years. Black caviar is a product of sturgeon fish.

• Beluga (the largest freshwater fish of the sturgeon family, listed in the Red Book)
• Kaluga (freshwater sturgeon fish of the beluga genus)
• Russian sturgeon
• Sevruga (sturgeon family, anadromous fish)
• Sterlet (freshwater fish of the sturgeon family, grown in ponds and lakes)
• Spike (anadromous sturgeon fish)

Another boneless river fish —

• Burbot (freshwater cod)
• River lamprey (jawless predatory fish)
• River eel (anadromous fish, spawns in seawater)

River fish with few small bones:

• Carp (wild carp)
• Catfish (large freshwater predator)
• Pike perch (perch family)

Salmon

Salmon, salmon - the general name for fish of the salmon family, among which there are freshwater inhabitants and anadromous. Red caviar - a delicacy, salmon caviar.

• Pink salmon (genus of Pacific salmon)
• Chum salmon (salmon)
• Salmon (Atlantic salmon, lake salmon)
• Whitefish (salmon, there are many varieties of whitefish)
• Taimen (freshwater fish, the largest representative of salmonids, listed in the Red Book)
• Trout (several species of freshwater salmonids)

Sea fish

Boneless saltwater fish are mainly fish of the cod, mackerel and horse mackerel families. In parentheses are notes and key features.

List of boneless (or almost boneless) marine fish:

• Vomer (selenium, moonfish)
• Yellowtail, or Lacedra (horse mackerel)
• Catfish (seabass, perches)
• Flounder (flat bottom fish)
• Mullet (there are freshwater representatives)
• Ice fish (white-blooded pike)
• Mackerel (mackerel fish)
• Macrurus (rattail, deep sea cod fish)
• Pollock (cod fish)
• Sea bream (perch-like fish)
• Sea bass (Scarpen family)
• Conger (conger, passively poisonous fish)
• Sole (European salt, flounder fish)
• Navaga (Far Eastern navaga, cod family)
• Halibut (flounder)
• Haddock (cod family)
• Seabass (from sea bass, lavrak, koikan, sea wolf, sea pike perch, etc.)
• Mackerel (mackerel family, group of perchiformes)
• Horse mackerel (different types of fish from the family horse mackerel)
• Tuna (tuna is a group of fish of the mackerel family)
• Hake (hake, cod fish)

Which fish has no scales? In fish, depending on the species, there are five different types of scales. Most fish have scales, some are partially scaled, and few fish lack scales.

Some fish are mistaken for scaleless fish. Sharks and rays are an example. Indeed, sharks and rays do not have lamellar scales, since it is a different structure called placoid scales - rhombic plates with a thorn that protrudes outward. Further, a list of edible fish without scales in whole or in part.

Scaleless saltwater fish:

• Mackerel (there are thorns on the sideline)
• Sea eel

River fish without scales:

• Hairless carp (mirror carp partially covered with large scales)
• Burbot
• Sturgeon (scales present on the tail)
• River eel
• Catfish (Catfish is considered to be scaly, but it has very small dense scales that form a skin-like cover).

The tench is sometimes mistaken for a fish without scales, but he does have it. The tench has rather small and dense scales, covered with a dense layer of mucus, so the cover looks like the skin.

Cutting up river and sea fish

Before cutting the fish, it is prepared - thawing (if frozen) and soaking. Butchering fish involves removing all that is unnecessary - scales, viscera, skin, head, fins and bones. At the same time, according to the method of processing, the fish are divided into groups: scaly, scaly and sturgeon. Fish with very small scales (catfish, navaga) are cut like fish without scales.

When preparing frozen fish for cutting and cooking, it is useful to know the following points:

1. The faster the frozen fish thaws, the better the taste of the meat will be preserved and the juicier it will be.
2. Scale and scaleless fish are thawed in lightly salted water for two to five hours, depending on size.
3. Sturgeon, catfish, frozen fillets are thawed in air at room temperature.
4. Mackerel, navaga, hake, horse mackerel - do not thaw, it is easier to cut them frozen.

Different types, methods and schemes for the primary cutting of different fish are shown in the video below. Cutting river fish (perch, pike, burbot, pike perch, bream) and sea fish, cutting salmon and sturgeon:

Which fish is tastier and healthier

We examined many types of fish in some of which the bones are more and less in others. Found out that there is fish without bones and scales. But is this enough to judge the culinary value of fish? Not, no so much.

In addition to the number of small bones, the meat of different fish differs in many properties: taste, fat content, amount of protein, the presence of useful minerals and vitamins. Availability and price of fish are also important.

Let's find out which fish is the tastiest and healthiest, which fish you should stay away from, and what the cost of the fish depends on.

The most delicious fish is the fish that you personally like best. There is an opinion that tasteless fish does not exist - there is only improperly cooked fish. It is generally recognized that fish are delicious: salmon, sturgeon, tuna, luvar. But some people, over all these gourmet fish, will prefer grilled bream, fried pike perch or.

The healthiest fish is the one whose meat contains more omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which the body simply needs. This means that this is a "fat" fish - tuna, halibut, mackerel, salmon. Let's arrange them in descending order by the amount of healthy fats:

• Wild salmon (any wild fish of the salmon family)
• Mackerel
• Cod
• Halibut
• Rainbow trout
• Sardines
• Herring
• Tuna

Despite the fact that tuna is often called the healthiest fish, it has ended up at the bottom of the list of the healthiest fish. This is because we used an objective approach and facts. The most useful fish in terms of omega-3 is wild salmon. It is wild, as it is raised in captivity, that is often harmful due to the additives in the feed that are used when it is raised on fish farms. Just one hundred grams of wild salmon meat contains the daily requirement of omega-3 fatty acids.

In general, any fish is considered dietary. A more dietary fish is one whose meat contains fewer calories and less fat. Among river fish, these are pike, perch, pike perch.

Marine dietary fish are hake, pollock and cod. It should be borne in mind that the dietary properties of fish largely depend on the way it is prepared. If the fish is fried, smoked, the dietary properties of the fish will be lost. The most suitable methods for preparing dietary fish dishes are boiling or steaming.

The safety of fish depends on how you view it. There is fish that you can eat even raw without worrying about the dangers of raw meat. The safest river fish, can be considered the fish of cold clean and clear fast rivers. However, saltwater fish is safer.

At the same time, it should be remembered that there are no completely safe products suitable for absolutely everyone. The safety of fish depends a lot on how you cook it.

The most harmful and dangerous fish

If there is the most useful fish, it is logical to assume that there is also the most harmful fish. And this is by no means the poisonous Fugu fish. Telapia and pangasius, for example, often live and bred in dire conditions. They normally exist and multiply almost in wastewater where they feed on any waste of this water. Just don't buy a telapia of dubious origin.

It is more difficult with fish semi-finished products from the meat of quite noble fish. To give a fresh look, dyes are added to the fish meat, and for weight, they are pumped with substances that hold a large amount of water. I don't even want to talk about the chemicals that dissolve bones in fillets.

An unscrupulous producer can make any fish harmful and dangerous.

The most expensive and cheapest fish

The most expensive fish is not found on store shelves, and not at all because no one can afford it. These are rare species of fish, specially supplied only to restaurants. These include puffer fish, beluga and its caviar, kaluga and some other sturgeon. Tuna is also an expensive fish. People have learned to raise salmon and sturgeon, so the price for them has become quite affordable for many.

The cheapest fish in stores are frozen hake, pollock, halibut, haddock, cod and the like. River fish that are not exported can be cheaper than sea fish.

The price of fish is not directly related to the value of fish as a food product, its taste and healthiness. It depends more on the demand in the global and local markets, the ability to meet this demand, and other factors not related to the quality of fish.

Bony (bony) fish

In small and large fish of the same species, there is approximately the same number of small bones, but in large fish the fork bones are larger and more noticeable. Choosing bones from large fish is much easier. Almost all small river fish are very bony - they are perch, pike, bream, roach, crucian carp, etc.

Why don't people like bony fish? Bony fish, or as they say - "bony", does not mean that it is tasteless. It can be delicious, but choosing small bones from fish instead of eating is a dubious pleasure. In addition, there is a risk that a small fish bone can get stuck in the throat. How to cook bony fish? What to do if a bone gets stuck in your throat? We will answer these questions as well.

We fry small fish without bones

Heat treatment of the fish softens the fish bones. Vegetable oil, unlike water, warms up well above 100 degrees. Under the influence of this temperature, small bones in boiling oil almost completely dissolve. It turns out a fish without bones.

This way you can fry fish that is not very suitable for frying because of the large number of small bones - medium-sized roach, bastard, silver bream, ide and similar fish. Crucian carp is traditionally fried, and the transverse cuts on the sides, definitely during the frying process, get rid of a lot of fork bones.

See how it looks:

If a bone from a fish gets stuck in your throat

Fish bone stuck in my throat, what should I do? How to get it out at home?
Anyone who has ever eaten bony fish knows the discomfort when a small fish bone gets stuck in the throat or tonsils. It becomes difficult to swallow, any swallowing movements cause pain. What to do if the bone is stuck in the throat? The main thing is not to panic.

In most cases, it is possible to get rid of a fish bone without assistance, on your own, if it is a small and soft bone. There are several simple and relatively safe ways to get rid of such a bone in your throat.

We warn you: physicians do not welcome "amateur performance" and advise to immediately consult a doctor. The fact is that in the results of manipulations with a fish bone, it may turn out that it is not possible to get rid of it and you still need to go to the doctor. At the same time, the bone can get even more stuck in the throat, and even for a specialist, it will be more difficult to extract it.

So, there are two options - we do everything at home, at our own risk, on our own, or we go for professional help.
All methods of getting rid of fish bones at home are based on mechanical action on the fish bone by swallowing something that can carry the bone into the esophagus, or by rinsing.

1. Bread pulp. The bread is partially chewed until it is moist and swallowed in a pronounced sip. Bread can be soaked with fresh honey. This is perhaps the most effective way.
2. Enveloping products. Instead of bread, you can use thick drinks (yoghurts, fermented baked milk, kefir), fresh flowing honey, or eat, for example, a banana. If the bone is not tight, it may help.
3. Vegetable oil. If you take a small sip of vegetable oil, there is a chance that the bone, under the action of the lubricant, will slip out and advance to its destination.

If, as a result of the actions taken, the bone from the fish does not go into the digestive tract, you should consult a doctor. This should not be delayed, otherwise, the inflammatory process will begin and the pain will intensify.

That's all. Let's finish on a beautiful note: salmon, going to spawn, overcomes the road.

SCALED SCALED

(squama), rigid metameric plates of the skin skeleton of vertebrates - fish, reptiles, birds and certain mammals, performing a protective function. The shape and structure of ch. In animals of different systematic. groups are different. Ch. Fossils of jawless and fish of mesodermal origin, formed by bone tissue (dentin, bone); is located on the body of the animal in regular diagonal rows along the collagen fibers of the skin and, in addition to the protective one, performs a musculoskeletal function. In the phylogeny of lower vertebrates (cyclostomes, fish, amphibians), the initial placoid Ch. Cartilaginous fish, from a cut arose other, more complex Ch. Bone fish - ganoid, including cosmoid, and bone, including cycloid and ctenoid... All species of Ch. Fish are characterized by cyclic. growth with the formation of annual rings, allowing you to determine the age and growth rate of the fish. Among amphibians, bone ch., Homologous to ch. Cross-finned fishes, are known in certain stegocephals and in modern times. legless amphibians (worms, fish snakes). The horny ch. Of reptiles, birds and certain mammals is formed by keratinization outward. layer of the epidermis. Horny Ch. Are usually replaced by periodic. shedding or flaking. In reptiles, horny ch. Sometimes grows together with secondary skin ossifications and covers the entire body (crocodiles, turtles), in birds - only legs, in mammals (marsupials, rodents, insectivores, and some others), Ch. arr. on the tail. Bird feathers are derivatives of horny feathers. In the phylogeny of mammals, the cover of horny feathers was replaced by hair. The secondary development of powerful Ch. On the body is observed in armadillos (underlain by bone Ch.) And pangolins.

.(Source: "Biological Encyclopedic Dictionary." - M .: Sov.Encyclopedia, 1986.)

scales

Covering hard plates arranged in a certain order in the skin of some vertebrates. The scales have a protective and supporting function. In fish, it develops from the skin itself (corium), has a different structure and shape. The scales of cartilaginous fish are placoid, in the form of an osteodentin plate with a tooth covered with enamel; the teeth of these fish are modified scales. The scales of bony ganoid fish are ganoid, large, rhombic or round, made of ganoin or bone substance, the scales are movably articulated. Quilted fishes have cosmoid scales - thick bony plates covered with cosmic and enamel on top. The body of sturgeon fish is covered with several rows of large scales in the form of bony beetles. The bony scales of ray-finned ones can be round - cycloid (in carps) and with denticles - ctenoid (in perciformes). The scales of bony fish grow unevenly (cyclically), forming annual rings. Among modern amphibians, legless (worms and fish snakes) have bone scales. Reptiles and birds have scales of epidermal origin in the form of horny plates - small in lizards and snakes, large in crocodiles and turtles. In birds, only the legs are covered with horny scales. In mammals (marsupials, insectivores, rodents), horny scales are located on the tail. The body of armadillos and lizards (pangolin) is densely covered with secondary scales that form a protective shell.

.(Source: "Biology. Modern illustrated encyclopedia." Ed. A. P. Gorkin; Moscow: Rosmen, 2006.)

Synonyms:

See what "SCALE" is in other dictionaries:

Scales, and ... Russian verbal stress

Fish ... Wikipedia

Female scales, small plates or scutes of various types, lying close. Fish scales, nibble. Lizards have small scales. The wings of the moths are covered with scales. The lizard is also in large, in bone, scales. Roofs and bell towers are covered with tiled scales, ... ... Dahl's Explanatory Dictionary

SCALED, in biology, small, rigid plates that form part of the outer layer of animal skin. As a rule, it is modified skin elements. In most fish, the scales consist of bony formations in the dermal layer of the skin. Scales ... ... Scientific and technical encyclopedic dictionary

SCALES, scales, pl. no, wives. 1. Small plates, shields, located so that the edge of one covers part of the other. Fish scales. Bone scales (in some animals). The snake dropped its scales. The shingles are laid with scales. 2. Small underdeveloped leaves ... ... Ushakov's Explanatory Dictionary

Scales, scales, scales, scales, scales, scales, scales, scales, scales, scales, scales, scales, scales (Source: "Full accentuated paradigm according to A. A. Zaliznyak") ... Forms of words

AND; f. 1. Hard plates, lying in rows and overlapping one another, protecting the body of some vertebrates (fish, lizards, snakes). Fish part. Smooth, slippery part. Remove scales with a fish scaler. // What looks like scales. ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Dr. Russian scales, art. glory. scalesѩ λεπίς (Еuсh. Sin.), Ukr. scaly scaly, Polish. szczeszuja, czeżuja scales, nutshell. Associated with scratching, like bulg. scale scales; see Bernecker I, 152; Trautman, BSW 120; Brueckner 78, 544 ... Etymological Dictionary of the Russian Language by Max Vasmer

SCALING, and, wives. Small hard plates located on the surface (plants, skin of certain animals) so that each closely covers the edge of the neighboring one. Fish h. | adj. scaly, oh, oh. Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 ... ... Ozhegov's Explanatory Dictionary

Children's toys, husk, trifle, nonsense, mosquito baldness, nonsense, nonsense, empty, trifling, millet, trifle, nonsense, trifling matter, not worth spitting, not worth a damn, nonsense, nonsense, vanity, seeds Dictionary of Russian synonyms. scales ... ... Synonym dictionary

Books

• Pencil case-cosmetic bag "SCALES BLUE" with sequins (PN-3482),. Pencil case-cosmetic case SCALES BLUE with sequins. Size: 190 x 90 mm. Material: 100% polyester, plastic. Made in Russia…

Who is the most famous aquatic inhabitant? Fish, of course. But without scales, her life in water would be almost impossible. Why? Find out from our article.

Why does a fish need scales

There are practically no fish without scales. In some species, it covers the entire body from head to dorsal fin; in others, it stretches parallel to the spine in separate stripes. If the scales are not visible at all, this means that they are reduced. It develops in the dermis, or corium of the skin, in the form of bony formations. In this case, a dense protective cover is formed. Examples of such fish are catfish, burbot, serpentine, sterlet, sturgeon and lamprey.

Chemical composition

Fish scales are bony or cartilaginous derivatives of the skin. Half of its chemical elements are inorganic substances. These include mineral salts such as alkaline earth metal phosphates and carbonates. The remaining 50% are organic matter represented by connective tissue.

Types of fish scales

Carrying out the same functions, leather derivatives differ in their origin and chemical composition. Depending on this, several types of scales are distinguished. In representatives of the Cartilaginous class, it is placoid. This species is the oldest in origin. The skin of ray-finned fish is covered with ganoid scales. In bone, it looks like scales that are superimposed on one another.

Plakoid scales

This type of fish scale has been found in fossil species. Among the modern species, stingrays and sharks are its owners. These are diamond-shaped scales with a well-visible spike that protrudes outward. There is a cavity inside each such unit. It is filled with connective tissue laced with blood vessels and neurons.

Plakoid scales are very durable. In stingrays, it even transforms into thorns. It's all about its chemical composition, which is based on dentin. This substance is the basis of the plate. Outside, each scale is covered with a vitreous layer - vitrodentin. Such a plate is like the teeth of a fish.

Ganoid and Bone Scales

Cis-fin fish are covered with ganoid scales. It is also located on the tail of sturgeon. These are thick rhombic plates. Such fish scales are interconnected with the help of special joints. Their combination can represent a single carapace, scutes, or bones on the skin. On the body, it is located in the form of rings.

This type of scales got its name from the main component - ganoin. It is a lustrous substance that is a lustrous layer of enamel-like dentin. It has considerable hardness. Bone matter is located below. Due to this structure, the placoid scales perform not only a protective function, but also serve as the basis of the muscles, giving the body elasticity.

Bone scales, which are monogenic in composition, are of two types. Cycloid covers the body of herring, carp and salmonids. Its plates have a rounded posterior edge. They overlap each other like shingles, forming two layers: roof and fibrous. Nutrient tubules are located in the center of each scale. They grow as a cover layer along the periphery, forming concentric stripes - sclerites. From them you can determine the age of the fish.

On the plates of ctenoid scales, which is also a type of bone, small spines, or ridges, are located along the posterior edge. They provide the hydrodynamic ability of fish.

Long time no see...

Everyone knows that the tree's age can be determined by the tree rings on the trunk. There is also a way to determine the age of fish by scales. How is this possible?

Fish grow throughout life. In summer, conditions are more favorable as there is enough light, oxygen and food. Therefore, during this period, growth is more intense. And in winter, it slows down significantly or stops altogether. The activation of the metabolic process also causes the growth of scales. Its summer layer forms a dark ring, while the winter layer forms a white one. By counting them, you can determine the age of the fish.

The formation of new rings depends on a number of factors: fluctuations in temperature, amount of food, age and type of fish. Scientists have found that in young and mature individuals, rings are formed at different times of the year. For the former, this occurs in the spring. Adults at this time only accumulate substances by the summer.

The period of formation of annual rings depends on the species. For example, in young bream, this occurs in the spring, and in sexually mature ones - in the fall. It is also known that annual rings are also formed in fish of the tropical zone. And this is despite the fact that the seasons, temperature fluctuations and the amount of food are absent here. This proves that annual rings are the result of a combination of several factors: environmental conditions, metabolic processes and humoral regulation in the fish body.

Most most...

It would seem, what could be unusual about the scales? In fact, many fish have unique characteristics. For example, the coelacanth scales on the outside have a large number of bulges. This makes the fish look like a saw. No modern look has such a structure.

And the goldfish is called so because of the scales. In fact, this is a decorative form of goldfish. The first goldfish were bred in the 6th century in China by Buddhist monks. Sechas known more than 50 breeds of this species with red, golden and yellow color.

At first glance, the eel is a fish without scales. In fact, he has it so small that it is almost invisible. It is also difficult to feel by touch, as the skin of the eel produces a lot of mucus and is very slippery.

So, fish scales are a derivative of the skin. It is one of the structural features that provides adaptation to life in the aquatic environment. Depending on the chemical composition, placoid, ganoid and bone scales are distinguished.

One of the characteristic features of fish is the presence of skin formations - scales. In fish, three main types of scales are distinguished, differing both in shape and in the material from which they are built. These are placoid, ganoid and bony scales (Fig. 22).

Figure 22 - Types of scales:

a- placoid; b- ganoid; v- cycloid; G- ctenoid; 1 - the center of the scales; 2 - front radius; 3 - rear radius; 4 - food channels.

Plakoid scales, called dermal teeth, consist of a plate lying in the skin and a thorn sitting on it, covered with a layer of enamel; the tip of the thorn extends outward through the epidermis. The basis of the placoid scales is dentin - a solid organic substance with calcium salts. Inside the scales is a cavity with blood vessels and nerve endings. Plakoid scales are located on the body of the fish in diagonal rows, and each scale lies freely in the skin and does not connect with the neighboring one, which does not impede the lateral mobility of the fish.

The spines of most sharks with their tips are directed to the tail, which creates a streamlined body. Plakoid scales are characteristic of cartilaginous fish. Modifications of the placoid scales are the teeth of sharks and rays, spines in the dorsal fins of horned and spiny sharks, and various types of spiny plates on the body of rays. During life, placoid scales undergo repeated changes.

Many cross-finned fossils, modern coelacanths, and fossils of lungfish have cosmoid scales. In origin, cosmoid scales are merged and strongly altered placoid scales. In the living coelacanth, the scales consist of four layers: superficial (enamel-like) with denticles and pores; cancellous bone; bone-cancellous; lower, consisting of dense bone plates.

The ganoid scales arose from the cosmoid scales. It consists of a bony rhombic plate with a lateral hook-shaped protrusion, due to which the scales are tightly connected to each other, forming a shell on the body of the fish. From above, the scales are covered with a dentin-like substance - ganoin. Such scales were characteristic of fossil paleoniscs and performed a protective function. Of the living fish, such scales have multi-feather-like (they have cosmoid-ganoid scales), carapace-like (they have ganoid scales). In sturgeons, remnants of ganoid scales are preserved on the upper lobe of the tail. Modifications of the ganoid scales are fulcras - saddle-like formations located along the outer edge of the fins of carapace pike and multifinches, and in sturgeons - along the outer edge of the upper blade of the caudal fin.

Bony scales are characteristic of most modern bony fish. Phylogenetically, it represents a modification of the ganoid scales. It looks like thin rounded plates lying on the body of the fish in skin pockets; one end of it is rounded, the other freely overlaps the adjacent scales. The appearance of bone scales promoted the development of lateral mobility of fish, a decrease in their mass, and maneuverability of movement. In addition, the tiled arrangement eliminates the possibility of vertical folds on the skin during lateral movements, thereby contributing to the preservation of a smooth, well streamlined body surface. The scales consist of a main plate of bone origin, consisting of parallel fibers and a hard mineralized upper hyalodentin layer. The hyalodentine layer has irregularities in the form of concentrically located ridges - sclerites. The scales grow in the lower underlying layer: under the first plate, which is laid in the fry, a new, larger diameter appears. With further growth, the next year, another plate of a larger diameter is laid from below. On the edges of the newly formed plates protruding from under the old plate, there is a hyalodentin layer in the form of sclerites. The smallest plate on top is the central one, the oldest, the largest in diameter; below - the youngest. As a result of growth, the central part of the scale becomes denser than its edges. During the period of slow growth (in autumn and winter), sclerites on the outer surface of the scales are laid close to each other or are not laid at all. During the period of intensive growth (spring and summer), sclerites form at a distance from each other. The boundary between close sclerites of autumn growth and widely spaced sclerites of spring-summer growth is the annual or annual ring. In addition to annual rings, additional rings may form on the scales during the period of slow growth. The part of the scales, covered by the overlapping adjacent scales, is called the anterior one; it differs markedly from the free uncovered one - the posterior one and is separated by a clearly distinguishable border. The front edge of the scales in most fish is uneven, wavy, which contributes to the fixation of the scales in the skin pocket. At the intersection of the line separating the border of the front and back parts of the scale, and the middle longitudinal diagonal, lies the center of the scale. Radial stripes depart from it - channels for feeding the scales (see Fig. 22). The center of the scale is not necessarily central to the scale. It can be displaced towards the rear edge of the scales.

Due to mechanical damage, individual fish scales often fall out, and new regenerated scales grow in their place. Its center is devoid of the correct scleritic structure and consists of cracks in the base plate going in different directions. Correct scleritic sculpture of the upper layer of scales begins from the year the scales are re-formed. Such scales are not suitable for age determination.

Bone scales are of two types: cycloid, with a smooth trailing edge, and ctenoid, along the back edge, free from the pocket, of which there are spines (ctenia). Ctenias are visible only at magnification, but are clearly distinguishable by touch; therefore, fish with ctenoid scales have a rough surface of the body. Cycloid scales are characteristic of low-organized fish of the orders of herring, pike, etc. Ctenoid scales are characteristic of highly organized fish (perch-like, flounder). However, this position is not absolute, and fish with cycloid scales are found in these orders. In some species (polar flounder), females have cycloid scales, males - ctenoid. Merou perches have ctenoid scales on their backs, and cycloid scales on their belly. In the common perch, the body is covered with ctenoid, and the cheeks are covered with cycloid scales.

The size of the scales is closely related to the way the fish moves. In fish with eel-like and ribbon-like body shapes, swimming due to the strong bending of the body, the scales are small (eels, catfish), and in some cases this method of movement leads to its disappearance (moray eels). Small scales have fish that move in a scombroid type due to a very high frequency of transverse locomotor bending of the body, at which the presence of scales would hinder lateral bending of the body and with an increase in the frequency of bending, the scales decrease in size. In mackerel in the front of the body, at the pectoral fins and on the back, where lateral bending is practically absent, the scales are preserved and sometimes larger, forming a so-called corset. In fish with a high body, as a rule, the scales are larger. The largest scales are in sedentary fish, most of which are inhabitants of stagnant waters or coral reefs (pair, bristletooth and many cyprinids). On the inner surface of the scales adjacent to the body of the fish, there is a layer containing crystals of guanine and lime, which gives the fish a silvery color. The guanine layer is especially abundant on the scales of pelagic fish (herring, sabrefish, bleak). The absence of guanine results in the transparency of the scales (smelt). The outer surface of the scales is covered with a layer of the epidermis, under which there is a thin layer of connective tissue with pigment cells. On the body of some fish (carp, whitefish, smelt) during the spawning period, a so-called pearl rash appears on the body and head - tubercles formed by the growth of the epidermis, which protrudes outward in a conical manner. From above, the tubercle is covered with a horny substance. Developing during the breeding season under the influence of sex hormones, the pearl rash later disappears without leaving any traces.

The body of some fish can be covered with bony shields, plates that perform a protective function. In some cases, the shields or plates, tightly adhering to each other, form a shell on the fish body (sticklebacks, sea needles, box bodies, chanterelles).



We present a list of the most common freshwater (river) fish. Names with photos and descriptions for each river fish: its appearance, fish taste, habitats, fishing methods, time and method of spawning.

Pike perch, like perch, prefers only clean water, saturated with oxygen and contributing to the normal functioning of the fish. It is a pure fish without any ingredients. The growth of pike perch can be up to 35 cm. Its maximum weight can reach up to 20 kg. The pike-perch meat is light, without excess fat and is very tasty and pleasant. It contains a lot of minerals, such as phosphorus, chlorine, chlorine, sulfur, potassium, fluorine, cobalt, iodine, as well as a lot of vitamin R. Judging by the composition, pike perch meat is very useful.

Bersh, like pike perch, is considered a relative of the perch. It can grow up to 45 cm in length and weigh 1.4 kg. It is found in rivers that flow into the Black and Caspian Seas. His diet includes a medium-sized fish, like a gudgeon. The meat is practically the same as that of pike perch, although a little softer.

Perch prefers reservoirs with clean water. These can be rivers, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, etc. The perch is the most common predator, but you will never find it where the water is muddy and dirty. For perch fishing, rather thin gear is used. Fishing is very interesting and entertaining.

The ruff has a peculiar appearance with very spiny fins, which protects it from predators. Ruff also loves clean water, but depending on the habitat, it can change its shade. It grows in length no more than 18 cm and gains weight up to 400 grams. Its length and weight directly depend on the food supply in the pond. Its habitat extends to almost all European countries. It is found in rivers, lakes, ponds and even seas. Spawning is carried out for 2 days or more. Ruff always prefers to be at a depth, as he does not like sunlight.

This fish is from the perch family, but few people know it, since it is not found in such an area. It is distinguished by an elongated fusiform body and a head with a snout protruding forward. The fish is not large, no more than one foot long. It is found mainly in the Danube River and adjacent tributaries. Her diet includes various worms, molluscs and small fish. Chop fish spawns in April with bright yellow caviar.

It is a freshwater fish that is found in almost all bodies of water on the globe, but only in those that have clean, oxygenated water. When the concentration of oxygen in the water decreases, the pike dies. The pike grows in length up to one and a half meters, with a weight of 3.5 kg. The body and head of a pike is characterized by an elongated shape. No wonder it is called an underwater torpedo. Pike spawns when the water warms up from 3 to 6 degrees. It is a predatory fish and feeds on fish of other species such as roach, etc. Pike meat is considered dietary because it contains very little fat. In addition, pike meat contains a lot of protein, which is easily absorbed by the human body. The pike can live up to 25 years. Its meat can be stewed, fried, boiled, baked, stuffed, etc.

This fish lives in ponds, lakes, rivers, reservoirs. Its color is largely determined by the composition of the water that is available in this reservoir. In appearance, it is very similar to a rudd. The diet of roach includes various algae, larvae of various insects, as well as fish fry.

With the arrival of winter, the roach goes to wintering pits. Spawns later than pike, somewhere in the end of spring. Before spawning, it is covered with large pimples. The caviar of this fish is rather small, transparent, with a green tint.

Bream is an inconspicuous fish, but its meat is characterized by excellent taste. It can be found where there is calm water or weak current. Bream lives no more than 20 years, but it grows very slowly. For example, a 10-year-old specimen can gain weight no more than 3 or 4 kilograms.

Bream has a dark silvery shade. The average life expectancy is 7 to 8 years. During this period, it grows up to 41 cm in length and has an average weight of about 800 g. Bream spawns in spring.

This is a sedentary species of fish with a bluish-gray color. The silver bream lives for about 15 years and grows in length up to 35 cm, with a weight of 1.2 kg. Silver bream, like bream, grows rather slowly. They prefer reservoirs with stagnant water or slow currents. In spring and autumn, silver bream gathers in numerous flocks (dense flocks), hence it got its name. It feeds on silver bream on small insects and their larvae, as well as on mollusks. Spawning occurs in late spring or early summer, when the water temperature rises to + 15 ° C - + 17 ° C. The spawning period lasts from 1 to 1.5 months. The thickened meat is considered not tasty, especially since it contains a lot of bones.

This fish has a dark yellow-golden hue. It can live up to 30 years, but already at 7-8 years its growth stops. During this time, the carp manages to grow up to 1 meter in length and gain weight of 3 kg. The carp is considered a freshwater fish, but it is also found in the Caspian Sea. Its diet includes young shoots of reeds, as well as eggs of spawned fish. With the arrival of autumn, its diet expands and various insects and invertebrates begin to enter it.

This fish belongs to the carp family and can live for about a hundred years. May eat undercooked potatoes, breadcrumbs, or cake. A distinctive feature of carp is the presence of a mustache. Carp is considered a voracious and voracious fish. Carp lives in rivers, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, where there is a muddy bottom. Carp loves to pass the pliable silt through its mouth, in search of various bugs and worms.

Carp spawns only when the water begins to warm up to a temperature of + 18 ° C - + 20 ° C. Can gain weight up to 9 kg. In China it is a food fish, and in Japan it is an ornamental food.

A very strong fish. Many experienced anglers are engaged in its fishing, using powerful and reliable tackle for this.

Crucian carp is the most common fish. It is found in almost all water bodies, regardless of the quality of the water and the concentration of oxygen in it. Crucian carp is able to live in bodies of water, where other fish will die immediately. It belongs to the carp family, and in appearance it is similar to a carp, but does not have a mustache. In winter, if there is very little oxygen in the water, the crucian hibernates and remains in this state until spring. Crucian carp spawns at a temperature of about 14 degrees.

The tench prefers reservoirs with dense vegetation and covered with dense duckweed. Lin is well caught from August, before the onset of real cold weather. Tench meat has excellent taste characteristics. It is not for nothing that the tench is called the royal fish. In addition to the fact that tench can be fried, baked, stewed, it makes an incredible ear.

The chub is considered a freshwater fish and is found exclusively in fast flowing rivers. It is a representative of the carp family. It grows up to 80 cm in length and can weigh up to 8 kg. It is considered a bold fish, since its diet consists of fish fry, various insects, small frogs. He prefers to be under trees and plants hanging over the water, since various living creatures very often fall into the water. Spawns at temperatures from + 12 ° C to + 17 ° C.

Its habitat includes almost all rivers and reservoirs of European states. Prefers to stay at depth, in the presence of a slow current. In winter, it shows the same activity as in summer, since it does not hibernate. It is considered a fairly hardy fish. It can have a length of 35 to 63 cm, with a weight of 2 to 2.8 kg.

Can live up to 20 years. The diet consists of both plant and animal food. Ide spawning occurs in the spring, when the water temperature is from 2 to 13 degrees.

It is also a representative of the carp family of fish species and has a dark bluish-gray color. It grows in length up to 120 cm and can reach a weight of 12 kg. Occurs in the Black and Caspian Seas. Selects fast flowing areas and avoids stagnant water.

There is a sabrefish with a silvery, grayish and yellow color. It can gain weight up to 2 kg, with a length of up to 60 cm. It can live for about 9 years.

Chekhon grows very quickly and gains weight. It is found in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and seas such as the Baltic Sea. At a young age, it feeds on zoo- and phytoplankton, and with the arrival of autumn it switches to feeding on insects.

Rudd and roach are easy to confuse, but rudd has a more attractive appearance. For 19 years of life, it is capable of gaining weight of 2.4 kg, with a length of 51 cm. It is found, for the most part, in the rivers that flow into the Caspian, Azov, Black and Aral seas.

The basis of the diet of rudd is food of plant and animal origin, but most of all he loves to eat shellfish caviar. Sufficiently healthy fish with a set of minerals such as phosphorus, chromium, as well as vitamin P, proteins and fats.

The podust has a long body and chooses areas with a fast flow. It grows in length up to 40 cm and at the same time has a weight of up to 1.6 kg. Lives podust for about 10 years. It feeds on the bottom of the reservoir, collecting microscopic algae. This fish is widespread throughout Europe. Spawns at a water temperature of 6-8 degrees.

Bleak is an ubiquitous fish known to almost anyone who has ever fished with a rod in a pond at least once. Bleak belongs to the family of carp fish species. It can grow to small sizes in length (12-15 cm) with a weight of about 100 grams. It is found in the rivers flowing into the Black, Baltic and Azov Seas, as well as in large bodies of water with clean, not stagnant water.

This is a fish, the same as bleak, but slightly smaller in size and weight. With a length of 10 cm, it can weigh only 2 grams. Able to live up to 6 years. It feeds on algae and zooplankton, while growing very slowly.

It is also referred to the family of carp fish species, and it has a spindle-shaped body. It grows in length up to 15-22 cm. It is carried out in reservoirs where there is a current and there is clean water. Gudgeon feeds on insect larvae and small invertebrates. It spawns in the spring, like most fish.

This type of fish also belongs to the carp family. It feeds practically on food of plant origin. It can grow up to 1 m 20 cm in length and weigh up to 32 kg. Differs in high growth rates. White carp is widespread throughout the world.

The silver carp's diet consists of microscopic particles of plant origin. It is a large representative of the carp family. It is a heat-loving fish. Silver carp has teeth that can grind vegetation. It lends itself easily to acclimatization. Silver carp is grown artificially.

Due to the fact that it grows rapidly, it is of interest for industrial breeding. It can gain up to 8 kg of weight in a short time. For the most part, it is distributed in Central Asia and China. Spawns in spring, loves water areas where there is an intense current.

This is a very large representative of freshwater reservoirs, capable of growing up to 3 meters in length and weighing up to 400 kg. Catfish has a brown tint, but does not have scales. Inhabits almost all water bodies of Europe and Russia, where there are appropriate conditions: clean water, the presence of aquatic vegetation and a suitable depth.

This is a small representative of the catfish family, which prefers small reservoirs (canals) with warm water. In our time, it was brought from America, where there is a lot of it and most of the anglers are engaged in its fishing.

It spawns when the water temperature reaches + 28 ° C. Therefore, it can be found only in the southern regions.

It is a fish from the family of river eels and prefers freshwater reservoirs. It is a snake-like predator found in the Baltic, Black, Azov and Barents Seas. Prefers to be in areas with a clay bottom. Its diet consists of small animals, crayfish, worms, larvae, snails, etc. It can grow up to 47 cm in length and gain weight up to 8 kg.

It is a heat-loving fish that is found in water bodies located in large climatic zones. Its appearance resembles a snake. A very strong fish that is not easy to catch.

It is a representative of cod-like and looks like a catfish, but it does not grow to the size of a catfish. It is a cold-loving fish that leads an active lifestyle in the winter. It also spawns during the winter months. It hunts mainly at night, while it leads a near-bottom lifestyle. Burbot is an industrial fish species.

It is a small fish with a long body covered with very fine scales. It can be easily confused with an eel or a snake if you have never seen it in your life. It grows in length up to 30 cm, or even more, if the growth conditions are conducive. It is found in small rivers or ponds where there is a muddy bottom. It prefers to be closer to the bottom, and on the surface it can be seen during rain or thunderstorms.

The char belongs to the salmon family of fish species. Due to the fact that the fish has no scales, it got its name. It grows to a small size. Its meat does not decrease in volume under the influence of low temperatures. It is characterized by the presence of fatty acids such as omega-3s, which are able to resist inflammation.

It lives in rivers and feeds on various types of fish. Distributed in the rivers of Ukraine. Prefers not deep-sea areas. It can grow up to 25 cm in length. Propagated by caviar, at a water temperature of + 8 ° C. After spawning, it can live no more than 2- + x years.

The life span of this fish is considered to be about 27 years. It grows in length up to 1 m 25 cm, gaining weight up to 16 kg. It is distinguished by a dark gray-brown color. In winter, it practically does not feed and goes to the depths. Has a valuable commercial value.

This fish lives only in the basin of the Danube arm and is not widespread anywhere else. It belongs to the family of salmon fish species and is a unique representative of the fish fauna of Ukraine. Danube salmon is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine and it is prohibited to catch it. Can live up to 20 years, feeds mainly on small fish.

It also belongs to the salmon family and prefers rivers with turbulent currents and cold water. It grows in length from 25 to 55 cm, while gaining weight from 0.2 to 2 kg. The diet of trout includes small crustaceans and insect larvae.

It is a representative of the Evdoshkov family, reaches a size of about 10 cm, while gaining a weight of 300 grams. It is found in the basins of the Danube and Dniester rivers. At the first danger, it buries itself in the silt. Spawning takes place in March or April. Likes to eat fry and small invertebrates.

This fish is caught on an industrial scale in Edver, the Urals. Spawns at temperatures not higher than + 10 ° C. It is a predatory fish that loves fast-flowing rivers.

It is a freshwater fish species that belongs to the carp family. It grows up to 60 cm in length and gains up to 5 kg in weight. The fish has a dark color and is common in the Caspian, Black and Azov seas.

Boneless river fish

There are practically no bones:

• In the sea language.
• In fish of the sturgeon family, belonging to the order of chordates.

Despite the fact that the water has a certain density, the body of the fish is ideally suited for movement in such conditions. And this applies not only to river, but also sea fish.

Typically, its body has an oblong, torpedo-like body shape. In extreme cases, her body is spindle-shaped, which facilitates unhindered movement in the water. These fish include salmon, podusta, chub, asp, sabrefish, herring, etc. In still water, most fish have a flat, flattened body on both sides. Such fish include crucian carp, bream, rudd, roach, etc.

Among the many species of river fish, there are both peaceful fish and real predators. They are distinguished by the presence of sharp teeth and a wide mouth, which makes it possible to swallow fish and other animals without much difficulty. Such fish include pike, burbot, catfish, pike perch, perch and others. A predator such as a pike is capable of developing a tremendous initial velocity during an attack. In other words, she literally swallows her prey instantly. Predators such as perch always hunt in packs. The pike perch leads a bottom life and starts hunting only at night. This testifies to its uniqueness, or rather to its unique vision. He is able to see his victim in absolute darkness.

But there are also small predators that do not differ in their large mouth size. Although, a predator like the asp does not have a huge mouth, such as that of a catfish, for example, and it feeds only on fish fry.

Many fish, depending on the habitat, can have a different shade. In addition, in different water bodies there may be a different food supply, which can significantly affect the size of the fish.