Sea ruffe Black Sea how to cook. Black Sea ruffe

There are fish in Anapa that it is better not to meet one-on-one in the sea, but it is advisable to try them fried in the resort cafe. Such formidable representatives of the underwater flora of the Black Sea include the sea ruff or scorpionfish.

The scorpion fish lives in many southern and tropical countries where tourists like to relax. Our sea ruffe, the northernmost species of scorpion fish, lives in the Black Sea and loves coastal rocky places. The fish can be found on the High Coast, the beaches of Utrish and Sukko. The sea ruffe has a red-brown color for good camouflage in dense algae and stones and has a size of about 15-20 centimeters. The sea ruffe spreads its lateral and dorsal poisonous fins when in danger. It is necessary to handle this species with caution, because... You can get hurt from the injection.

How to protect yourself from a scorpionfish injection

It is not as easy for a simple bather to step on a ruff as it might seem. Usually, when a person approaches, the scorpion fish quickly swims away. You need to be careful in rough seas and storms, because... It is not so easy for the ruffe to notice bathers at this time. The main injuries occur when a person attempts to become intimately acquainted with Black Sea ruff. Fishermen, divers and divers who try to touch or remove scorpion fish from a hook come across poisonous spines.

What to do when injected with the Black Sea ruffe

If you find yourself a victim of a scorpionfish injection, do not panic, no one has ever died from this. When injected, poison enters the body. The victim needs rest. The wound site, usually the heel or foot, should be dipped in hot water(temperature 45-50 degrees). You can take antiallergic medications. Usually unpleasant symptoms pass in one or two days.

How to cook ruff

Sea ruff is a delicacy and can be tasted in fish dishes. Very tasty fried fillet of sea ruffe and fish soup.

Scorpionfish are one of the most dangerous sea animals. Even the name of these fish comes from the accepted foreign languages the name "scorpion fish", which indicates strong toxicity. Despite the fact that scorpionfish cannot be called beautiful, few can compete with them in the colorfulness and whimsicality of their forms. Systematically, several genera of fish from the scorpionfish family of the order Scorpiformes are classified as scorpionfish. Lionfish and spiny lionfish are very close to them; more distant relatives of scorpionfish are warts, sea ​​bass, sea ​​cocks and triggles.

Red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa).

Scorpion fish are small and medium-sized fish, the length of most species does not exceed 30 cm. They are characterized by a large head and a shortened body, sharply tapering towards the tail. The tail itself is small and inconspicuous, but the fins are large, with highly developed rays. The dorsal fin is divided into two parts by a notch: in the anterior part, 7-17 rays have turned into sharp spines; in the rear part there is one such spine. In addition, there is one spine in the pelvic fins and 2-3 in the anal fin. Each spine has two grooves through which mucus flows, secreted by poisonous glands at the base of the spine. This structural principle is a bit like the structure of poisonous teeth in snakes. In addition to spines, scorpionfish have a bony bridge under the eye that protects the head, which is why these fish are sometimes called armor-cheeked. Scorpionfish also have short spines on their cheeks, but they are not poisonous. The eyes of these fish are bulging like those of toads and frogs.

The mouth of scorpionfish is large and, if necessary, can open very wide.

Scorpionfish share another property unique to fish with snakes. The fact is that scorpionfish... shed! They change periodically skin(for example, the Black Sea scorpionfish does this every month), and, like snakes, scorpionfish shed their entire skin in the form of a stocking. But the main thing distinguishing feature scorpionfish are numerous outgrowths that cover the body of the fish. They can be developed into varying degrees- from short tufts imitating moss to branched formations reminiscent of algae or coral. This ambience is complemented by variegated colors.

The richness and variegation of the scorpionfish's coloring is reminiscent of an oriental carpet.

Although the color scheme of most species is reduced to red-brown tones, many small multi-colored spots, lines, stains and halftones make the pattern incredibly rich, and the scorpion fish itself is invisible against a motley background coral reef.

The complex pattern of the lace scorpionfish (Rhinopias aphanes) continuously flows from the body to the fins, creating a perfect resemblance to a coral branch.

The color of the lace scorpionfish is very variable: among the representatives of this species you can find red, yellow, black, single-colored and multi-colored individuals. Males and females of all scorpionfish look the same.

This gloomy fish is also a lacy scorpionfish.

Another outfit from the rich “wardrobe” of lace scorpions.

The habitat of scorpionfish covers all tropical and subtropical zones globe. Many species of scorpionfish can be found on the islands of the Malay Archipelago, the Philippines, and Thailand. One of the most northern species- Black Sea scorpionfish, or sea ruffe, which lives in the Black Sea. In general, all scorpionfish live exclusively in salt water, favorite places Their habitat is coastal zones and shallow waters of coral atolls, but some species can be found at depths of up to 2000 m. Scorpionfish spend most of their time completely motionless, lying on the bottom waiting for prey. They swim rarely and for short distances, but if necessary they can make rapid leaps. Scorpionfish lead a solitary lifestyle; according to some reports, some species are active only at night.

Echmeyer's scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri).

Scorpionfish are predators that hunt from ambush. Not only are these fish difficult to distinguish from the surrounding landscape, but they also burrow into the ground in such a way that only their eyes are visible from the outside (that’s why they are so bulging). The scorpionfish waits patiently in ambush for hours until the victim comes into view, then the scorpionfish quickly opens its mouth and the victim is literally carried into it by the current. Since these fish attack small animals, they swallow their prey whole. Scorpion fish hunt small fish, crustaceans (shrimp) and cephalopods(primarily squid). Deep sea species scorpionfish and those that hunt at night detect prey thanks to a highly developed lateral line, which in scorpionfish has moved to the head. Thanks to this line, predators sense water vibrations produced by the prey and determine its location even in pitch darkness.

California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) eats squid (Doryteuthis opalescens).

Scorpionfish lay their eggs in separate portions, packaged in mucus balloons. These balloons float to the surface of the water and there break up into individual eggs. The floating eggs hatch into larvae, which at first stay near the surface of the water, but after maturing a little, they descend into the bottom layers.

Californian scorpionfish caviar.

In nature, scorpionfish have few enemies, given their excellent camouflage, low mobility and strong poisonousness. But for humans, scorpionfish are of dual interest. On the one hand, these fish pose a real danger to divers, swimmers, and even people just relaxing on the shore. The thing is that the skillful camouflage of scorpionfish does not allow them to detect the fish in time, so it is very easy to prick themselves on its spines. What complicates the situation is that scorpionfish often find themselves washed ashore, and their spines can pierce even light shoes. When injected, poison immediately enters the wound, which causes very severe pain. The pain increases over time and can even lead to loss of consciousness from painful shock. In addition, the components of the poison cause a decrease in blood pressure, swelling of the lungs and the affected limb, and numbness. Symptoms do not go away within a few days, but deaths from scorpion poisoning are rare.

Flat-headed scorpenopsis (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala).

On the other hand, the Black Sea and Californian scorpionfish have considerable gastronomic value. Their meat is very tasty and gives excellent fat, so scorpionfish are often used to make fish soup and fish soups. Scorpionfish are caught along with other fish, and cut with gloves separately from other species. Meat freed from thorns does not pose any danger. Scorpionfish are also attractive to aquarists, although keeping them at home is not easy. When keeping scorpion fish, it is important to provide them with shelters in aquariums, good aeration and water filtration. Scorpionfish feed on small fish and crustaceans (brine shrimp); with fish of equal size, scorpionfish behave peacefully and get along well with their neighbors.

Scorpena– predatory bottom sea ​​fish scorpion family, leading sedentary image life in coastal strip Black Sea with depths up to 50 meters. Due to its similarity with its freshwater counterparts, river ruffs, scorpionfish received its second informal name - sea ruff. In addition to the double name, this fish is the bearer of several more mysteries of nature.

TO commercial fish scorpionfish does not apply. It is usually caught by amateur fishermen, although they are also attracted to it not so much by its size as by the taste of the fish soup obtained from it.

In the Black Sea there are two species of this fish: the Black Sea scorpionfish, reaching a length of 30 centimeters and a weight of 1 kilogram, and the noticeable scorpionfish - up to 15 centimeters and weighing 200-300 grams. It is very difficult to distinguish them from each other; not everyone can immediately determine what kind of fish they have in their hands: a noticeable scorpionfish that has reached full maturity or a young Black Sea scorpionfish?

The only acceptable sign for fishermen by which it is possible to distinguish these two species is the presence of a noticeable characteristic large black spot on the scorpion fish. dorsal fin. There is one more sign: in the Black Sea scorpionfish, the supraorbital processes, similar to rag flaps, are much longer than in the noticeable scorpionfish. But this difference, in my opinion, belongs more to the competence of ichthyologists, because it is unlikely that any amateur will want to run around the boat with a ruler to establish the truth about what kind of fish he caught.

Where and when are scorpionfish caught?

Catching scorpionfish from the shore, unlike catching it from a boat at sea, does not require large expenses, special skills or effort, which is why it is very popular among both boys and experienced fishermen.

The most convenient places are piers, piers, breakwaters, rocks, stone embankments or shores, especially where near these places there are large and small boulders at the bottom covered with aquatic vegetation. In such areas, scorpionfish stay in crevices and in algae bushes, waiting and ambush hunting for small fish and crustaceans (greenfish, gobies, shrimp, crabs).

Hooked by scorpionfish all year round, but for a number of reasons, the main one being comfortable temperature, fishermen prefer to catch it in the summer. This fish is most active at night.

If the bite is good, and it starts at sunset, you can sit out all night long. I’ll tell you without undue modesty: last summer, after spending three hours fishing from ten in the evening to one in the morning, I caught about two dozen scorpionfish of various sizes using a spinning rod and a sea circle.

Tackle for catching scorpionfish

Scorpionfish are not the kind of fish that you need to be very clever with your gear to catch. Nowadays there are many different types of gear, but based on my personal experience, I’ll share with you only two: a spinning rod with the installation of bottom gear and a sea circle. In my opinion, they are the most optimal for catching this predatory fish, are simple and easy to use and at the same time very effective.

Spinning
Installation of bottom gear:
light rod up to three meters long;
classic inertial reel “Nevskaya” or any reliable inertia-free reel;
main line with a diameter of 0.3-0.35 millimeters;
one bead;
carbine;
bid.

The bead must be larger in diameter than the circumference of the tulip, so that in the dark when winding the fishing line, the bead must not frequently fall into the rings. The bet is a fishing line with a diameter of 0.16-0.25 millimeters with hooks No. 5-9 located on it on two leashes 5-7 centimeters long and with a sinker at the end. The distance between the leashes is 15 centimeters.

Marine circle
The design is a metal ring with a diameter of 25 centimeters or a hoop, bent from thick wire with small cuts previously made on it. The number of cuts depends on the number of leads and serves to firmly fix them on the circle. 4-5 leashes 15 centimeters long with hooks No. 5-9 are tied in a circle. A strong string is attached directly to the ring. The line supply is calculated based on the height of the structure above sea level from which you are fishing and the depth at the fishing site.

Bait for scorpion fish

When fishing for this fish, bait and bait are used extremely rarely. Although even the simplest bait in the form of crushed shells of mollusks such as mussels and rapana will collect scorpion fish from all over the area quite quickly. Also, small fish cut into steaks, such as horse mackerel, is also good as a bait.

As a rule, they are used as attachments boiled shrimp, squid meat, chicken and fish fillet. But still, despite the large assortment of baits, scorpionfish most often prefer fresh shrimp or sliced ​​freshly caught fish.

The scorpion fish's gluttony is amazing: it is not at all frightened by large pieces of meat or fish on hooks. Thanks to its huge mouth with a lower jaw extending far forward, it is able to grab and hold prey that is larger than itself.

Stories about insatiable sea ruffes are known everywhere. I also heard one of these from a diver friend of mine. It turns out that during his next dive, in one of the crevices of the underwater rock, he noticed a scorpionfish, in the throat of which a roulina sticking out, similar in size to it. Everything would be fine, well, I caught myself a fish for lunch, so what’s wrong with that. But that was not the case! For two more days, my friend had to observe this picture, and only on the third day the ruff swallowed its victim and remained lying in the same crevice as if nothing had happened.

Fishing technique

The technique of catching scorpionfish using such gear as a spinning rod with an installation and a sea circle is extremely simple. They fish with these tackles exclusively in a plumb line: in the first case, they lower the stake to the bottom, select the slack and, having made a stretch, wait for bites; in the second - lowering the ring on the string to the bottom, leaving the tackle for 15-20 minutes.

When fishing with a spinning rod, the bite of a scorpionfish is felt as a series of short-term pulls, and then a significant jerk. There is absolutely no need for a fisherman to bother himself with thoughts about when a scorpionfish will bite on a circle; it greedily takes the bait and very rarely lets go.

I would like to draw your attention to the fact that when fishing with a spinning rod, a delay in hooking can allow the scorpionfish to hide under a stone or in a crevice, and then a break in the bet is inevitable. There is no need to worry about this about the circle, since the fish hooks itself, and the ring and short leashes will not allow it to go far into the stones and tightly hook the tackle.

Removing a scorpion fish from the water is quite simple, but once it is on the shore, the fisherman’s troubles are just beginning. And this is where the well-known proverb comes in handy more than ever: “Take the ruff off the hook slowly.”

Safety precautions when removing scorpion fish from a hook

The caught fish is released from the hook with great care so as not to get stuck on the poisonous spines. And she doesn’t have many or few of them, but only one that you accidentally didn’t notice can cause unbearable pain. To prevent this from happening, I will bring you up to date by going a little deeper into ichthyology.

The scorpionfish's venomous apparatus is represented by venom glands located at the base of each ray of the anterior part of the dorsal fin, the first ray of the pelvic fin and the first three rays of the anal fin. (see photo)

There are as many ways to remove hooks from the mouth of a scorpion fish as there are fishermen. Without entering into a debate with anyone about the originality of certain methods, I will describe only one, from my point of view, the safest.

Having pressed the scorpionfish with the handle of the rod, I grab it with pliers or a surgical clamp by the lower lip and with scissors I cut off everything that sticks out on it away from harm, and then with a clear conscience I take out the hook and throw it into the bucket.

How to avoid unwanted consequences

Scorpena ranks ninth in the top 10 most dangerous representatives aquatic fauna in the world. Scorpionfish injections, although not lethal, are, admittedly, quite painful. As a rule, they cause painful shock, swelling and redness of the affected areas of the body. Sometimes there is profuse sweating and vomiting.

But there are also exceptions. An interesting fact is that fishermen who have once received injections from this fish develop some kind of immunity to their poison, as a result of which they are completely free from any reactions and symptoms in the future. Just don’t get me wrong: I in no way urge you to harden yourself in this way, but, on the contrary, I want to warn you against conducting this kind of experiment.

In order not to be taken by surprise when meeting with a scorpionfish and to avoid undesirable consequences, you will need knowledge of the simplest medical procedures for providing first aid. First, it is necessary to determine the injection site; second, carefully remove the thorn fragments; third - compress the wound and allow the blood to flow as long as possible; fourth - disinfect the wound by washing it sea ​​water or hydrogen peroxide, if you have it available.

Unique gastronomic qualities of scorpionfish

Concluding the conversation about scorpionfish, one cannot fail to mention the gastronomic properties and qualities of its meat. The meat of this fish is white, elastic and slightly sweet in taste. Scorpionfish are dried, fried, boiled, used in soups and jellied dishes - all traditional culinary methods are suitable.

And, of course, the legendary Black Sea scorpion fish soup, which, according to rumors, is unrivaled taste qualities surpasses even the sterlet. And they also say that their positive influence on male body Scorpionfish meat makes you nervously smoke the famous “Viagra” on the sidelines.

So, dear fishermen, catching scorpionfish in the Black Sea, and then eating it, is not only a pleasant pastime, but also good good health.

Scorpion fish are a genus of marine ray-finned fish. Scorpionfish live in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, as well as in the seas of their basins. They are very common on the islands of the Malay Archipelago, the Philippines and Thailand. One of the most northern representatives is the Black Sea scorpionfish or, as it is also called, the sea ruff. Its habitat is the Black Sea, Kerch Strait. Although rare, it can also be found in the Sea of ​​Azov. In general, all species live exclusively in salt water, preferring coastal areas and shallow waters of coral atolls. However, some species can be found at depths of up to 2000 m. The sea ruffe leads a sedentary lifestyle.

Scorpionfish is considered one of the most dangerous sea ​​creatures. Even the name of the fish, which translates as “scorpion fish,” indicates its strong poisonousness.

The color palette of most scorpionfish species is dominated by red-brown tones, which, in combination with a large number small motley spots, lines, stains allow the fish to be completely invisible against the colorful background of a coral reef or seabed.

A specific notch divides the scorpion fish's dorsal fin into two parts. 7-17 rays in the anterior part and 1 ray in the posterior part have turned into sharp spines. In addition, there is 1 spine in the pelvic fins, and 2-3 in the anal fins. At the base of each spine there is a poisonous gland that secretes poison. The poison flows out through two grooves. It is worth noting that there are also spines on the cheeks of scorpionfish, but the poison does not flow through them.

How to protect yourself from a scorpionfish sting

Firstly, when diving or swimming in the habitats of scorpionfish, take special care, since due to the skillful camouflage of the sea ruffe, it is not always possible to detect it in time against the background of the surrounding landscape.

Secondly, be vigilant and when walking along the beach, wear shoes with thick soles, since scorpionfish are often washed ashore by waves.

Thirdly, remember that scorpionfish can be caught in nets and fishing rods as accompanying fish. If you accidentally catch it on a hook, do not fuss or try to knock it down, as this risks getting an injection in the most unexpected place. Just stun the fish suitable subject. Place the caught fish in a canvas fish bag. To manipulate scorpionfish, including cutting it, use gloves or mittens made of canvas fabric.

Fourthly, when keeping a scorpion fish in an aquarium, never touch it with your bare hands.

What are the consequences of a scorpionfish injection?

When injected, the poison immediately penetrates into the wound, which is a high-molecular heat-labile protein. The poison affects mainly the respiratory and vascular systems.

A prick of a thorn very quickly causes acute pain, which increases over time and spreads further along the lymphatic vessels. Painful shock may develop, which leads to loss of consciousness. Plus, when poisoned by scorpionfish poisoning, the following are observed:

• decrease in pressure,
• swelling and numbness of the affected part of the body,
• pulmonary edema.

Among other things, lymphangitis develops first, then lymphadenitis, which can persist for several days. A limited area of ​​necrosis occurs at the punctured site. As for the general symptoms of poisoning, they do not appear acutely.

Symptoms do not disappear within a few days, but death from scorpionfish poisoning is quite rare.

In some cases it may develop allergic reaction, which is accompanied by vomiting, difficulty breathing, inappropriate behavior, and loss of consciousness.

A scorpionfish injection is also fraught with the introduction of a secondary infection into the wound. Infectious pericarditis has even been recorded as a result of contact with ruffed fish.

What should not be done when injecting scorpionfish

• It is prohibited to apply a tourniquet to the affected limb, as this can lead to a worsening of the victim’s condition and the development of complications.
• You should also not cut wounds. Such manipulations do not help remove the poison, but only provide additional injury to the victim.
• You should not cauterize the pricked area for the same reasons that were discussed in the previous paragraphs.
• Do not inject a solution of potassium permanganate and other strong oxidizing agents into the affected area. This is not only ineffective, but also dangerous.
• If you are poisoned by scorpionfish, it is not recommended to drink alcohol, as it promotes faster spread and absorption of the poison.

What measures can be taken when injecting scorpionfish?

1. Immediately after the injection, the victim should be provided with complete rest, placing him immediately on an improvised or real stretcher, so as not to shift him in the future.

2. If necessary, remove any needles remaining in the wound.

3. If it is impossible to immediately deliver the victim to a medical facility, it is recommended to immerse the pricked area in the hottest possible water, naturally, without leading to a burn. The optimal water temperature is 43-45 degrees. This procedure will help relieve pain to some extent and neutralize certain components of the poison under the influence of high temperature.

4. Then you should treat the wound with brilliant green, iodine or hydrogen peroxide and apply a sterile bandage to it. As swelling increases, the bandage must be loosened periodically to avoid cutting into the tissue.

5. To slow down the spread of poison throughout the body, a splint can be applied to the pricked limb.

6. Among other things, the victim should be provided with plenty of fluids.

7. And finally, and most importantly, the victim should be taken to a hospital as soon as possible, where doctors will provide him with the necessary medical care.

Interesting facts about scorpionfish and their injections

• The venom-producing apparatus of scorpionfish is somewhat similar to the structure of poisonous teeth in snakes. In addition, the sea ruffe also sheds periodically, like a snake.
• The greatest danger is posed by the scorpion fish that lives off the coast of Australia. More than 120 people die from its poison every year.
• Scorpionfish is one of the TOP 10 most poisonous marine inhabitants.
• Several cases of scorpionfish being caught in fresh water bodies have been recorded.

Scorpion fish are a bottom-dwelling, poisonous predator. Appearance The fish are not particularly attractive. A third of the body is occupied by a flattened head with a depressed forehead, on which there are crimson, bulging eyes, big mouth with huge lips and strong jaws. The head itself is protected by long, somewhat flap-like, tentacles and poisonous spines. The spines are located on the dorsal fin and gill covers; they serve as a means of protection for the scorpionfish. The body itself is dense, tapering towards the tail. Weight ranges from 200 to 1,500 grams. The body color is dark, but at the same time, there are stripes and spots of a darker tone, due to which the fish remains unnoticed and camouflages itself in the bottom stones. Fish has unique property: she molts several times a month, shedding her old skin like a snake, like a stocking.

Habitat

Scorpionfish belong to the genus of marine ray-finned fish. The habitat of these individuals is in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as in the seas of their basins. Often found in Thailand, the Philippines and the islands of the Malay Archipelago. Sea ruff - representative northern regions. The Black Sea scorpionfish lives in Kerch Strait and the Black Sea, less often it can be found in the Azov Sea. As a rule, all types of scorpionfish live only in salt water, close to coastline, at a depth of 40 meters.

Diet

The sea ruffe eats everything: worms, caviar, fry, shrimp, shellfish and a wide variety of fish, ranging from skate and pipefish, and ending with red mullets and gobies. The diet of these individuals also includes algae. Often fish feed on young shoots of Cystoseira. As a rule, ruffes are ambush predators. They look for shelter and when they see prey, they rush at it with lightning speed; if they fail to catch it the first time, the fish no longer takes any action, but waits for another victim. Thanks to strong jaws, the fish grabs and gradually swallows the prey.

Fishing method

You can get such a precious trophy as the sea ruffe using a spinning rod or an ordinary donkey. Catching fish with a spinning rod is an entertaining process that pleases you in any season, with the exception of winter, when individuals swim long distances from the shores. Since the sea ruffe - nocturnal predator, then it’s better to “hunt” for it at night. For scorpionfish, it is not necessary to have powerful sea tackle. It is enough to have a good, middle-class spinning rod, an inertia-free reel and a fishing line with a diameter of 0.25 mm.

Almost all baits can be used for catching scorpionfish, but the most common are: “silicone”, compact dips and cranks.