Scorpion fish (sea ruffe) is a formidable inhabitant of the deep sea. Who is the scorpion fish? Distribution and habitats

Description

Black Sea scorpionfish (from Latin Scorpaena porcus) - predatory fish, living in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, as well as off the African and European coasts Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes found in the Sea of Azov. The second name of the fish is “Black Sea ruff”. The flattened head of the scorpion fish occupies one third of the body. The head has purple, bulging eyes and a huge mouth with thick lips that can easily swallow a whole crab, and powerful jaws. The head is armed with spikes and long, flap-like tentacles. The entire body is covered with tubercles, warts, rays and flaps of skin, with the help of which the scorpionfish disguises itself as stones overgrown with vegetation. Dorsal black sea ruffe has spiny rays that are always straightened and raised upward in the form of spines. The size of the fish reaches 40 cm in length, and its weight is approximately 1.5 kg. The Black Sea scorpionfish has poisonous glands located at the base of the spiny rays of the dorsal, ventral and anal fins. There are about 20 such rays, which serve as protection for scorpion fish from predators, on the fish’s body. Poison is also found on the gill covers and bone spines. Scorpionfish has interesting feature: she sheds regularly, and sheds her old skin like a snake, like a “stocking.” Shedding can occur up to twice a month. The fish has a bizarre variegated color. Juveniles are light yellow or cream colored with reddish-brown spots and irregular vertical stripes. With age, the color darkens, dark brown with wide vertical blurry stripes. Sometimes pink, crimson-yellow and black scorpionfish are found.

This predator feeds on small fish and crustaceans, lying in wait for them. Scorpion fish can hunt in complete darkness because they have organs on their head and sides that help to catch currents of water from a moving object. Lives in coastal strips, among stones and algae thickets. The fish is sedentary and not shy. In the warm season (June-September), scorpionfish spawn, laying eggs in separate portions enclosed in transparent mucous membranes. Before the larvae hatch, these mucous sacs burst and the eggs are released from the common shell. The emerging juveniles do not remain in the water column for long, and then move on to life at the bottom. Scorpion - nocturnal predator, so it’s best to catch it after dark. The calm hours after a storm are optimal for fishing, as the fish move close to the shore in search of food.

Scorpion fish meat is eaten. The main thing is to be careful when cleaning this fish so as not to get hurt by its spines. The fish is highly sticky, so it is used to make jelly for jellied fish and fish soup. Ruffs can be fried and also used as an additive when cooking fish soup from other fish, as they enhance the taste of fish broth. To keep the fish tender and juicy, you should cook it in dishes with liquid (gravy). Scorpionfish baked in the oven or fried on the grill becomes very dry. In Turkish cuisine, fish soup black sea scorpionfish very popular and considered a delicacy. Fish especially strongly absorbs the aromas of spicy plants growing on the rocks under which it lives: laurel, thyme and myrtle.

Composition, calorie content and beneficial properties black sea scorpionfish

Despite its terrifying appearance, scorpionfish are useful and are considered one of delicious fish Black Sea. Its white, juicy and elastic meat has a slightly sweet taste. It is believed that the meat of this fish has a positive effect on male body. Rich in macro and microelements such as chromium, zinc, fluorine, nickel, molybdenum, as well as vitamin PP (nicotinic acid). Nicotinic acid is involved in protein and carbohydrate metabolism in the body, helps reduce cholesterol in the blood, and activates the functioning of the brain and central nervous system. Due to the presence of vitamin PP, scorpionfish dishes can prevent a skin disease that causes “rough skin” - pellagra.

Black Sea scorpionfish belongs to the group of skinny fish, such as hake, cod, flounder, tench, containing no more than 80-90 calories per 100 g finished product. Therefore, the meat of such fish can be safely included in a low-calorie diet.

Contraindications: be careful, poisonous scorpionfish!

Scorpionfish have poisonous spines. The effect of the poison is not fatal, but very unpleasant - like a wasp sting. Wounds from the thorns of this fish cause burning pain, the skin around the wound turns red and swells, there may be general malaise and elevated temperature. An allergic reaction may begin, so immediately after being pricked with thorns you should take an antihistamine (anti-allergic) drug. Wounds should be treated like regular scratches. In any case, if this fish is affected by poison, it is better to consult a doctor.

Most often, fishermen suffer from ruffe thorns when they pull them out of nets or remove them from a fishing hook. When cleaning scorpion fish, care must also be taken so that the poison from the spines, bone spines and gill covers does not get into small wounds and cracks on the skin of the hands. The poison persists even in those fish that have been left in the refrigerator. The ruff must be decapitated and the dorsal fins removed, and only then begin cutting up the carcass.

The sea ruffe, also known as scorpion fish, is a small fish, edible and even, according to experts, tasty, but not very well known general public. In ichthyological circles it is much more popular. Not only is it named after her Scorpaenidae (scorpionfish, or sea ruffes), including 172 species, but also a whole Scorpaeniformes (Scorpiformes), consisting of 35 families.

Unfortunately, these fish are most famous not for their taste and beauty, but for their danger. Representatives of the order of sea ruffes take second place after stingrays in the number of poisonous injections inflicted on people.

But first we will talk about the fish themselves, and only then - about their dangerous spines, first aid for injections, prevention of unwanted contacts, and in conclusion - about how to cook delicious ruffs.

So, three families:

Family Scorpaenidae , subfamily Pteroinae - turkey fish, lion fish, fire fish

Family Scorpaenidae , subfamily Scorpaeninae - scorpion fish, crow fish, stone fish

Family Synanceiidae - stone fish, wasp fish, ghoul fish

And then: “they us” and “we them” - medical and culinary aspects of sea ruff science

Let the meticulous reader not be confused by the fact that fish from two different families are called “stones”. Sea ruffs have a lot of names, but some of them belong to several species, so without it it is often impossible to understand which fish they are talking about. we're talking about. Moreover, edible representatives of scorpionfish are called both cod and perch in English-language sources.

Fish- turkeys, lion fish, fire fish

( Family Scorpaenidae, subfamily Pteroinae )

Visitors to the underwater observatory will certainly linger at the aquarium with lionfish. And when I explain that these are not only one of the most beautiful Red Sea fish, but also one of the most poisonous, they are surprised and refuse to believe. Really cute creatures float in the water.

These fish have an original appearance, which is reflected in their numerous names. Russian name "lionfish" - translation Latin name Pterois. Other Russian name"zebra" needs no explanation. In English, lionfish and lionfish are lion fish, and turkeyfish are turkey fish, and firefish are fire fish. In Hebrew, the lionfish is called zaharon, from the verb lishor - to shine, to emit light.

Lionfish are truly dangerous. They are predators, hunting among coral reefs for small fish, crabs and shrimp. Moreover, they can either wait for prey in ambush or pursue it. If the lionfish is hiding, then the striped coloring and numerous outgrowths on the body camouflage it, visually dividing the outline. Long, regularly oscillating fins and outgrowths on the head (the outgrowth above the eye is especially developed) make the lionfish look like a bunch of algae. When a curious creature, attracted by the movement, approaches her, she is caught in her wide-open mouth.

If the lionfish pursues the prey, then as soon as the distance is reduced, a lightning-fast throw follows, grasping with its jaws and swallowing. Cannibalism has been observed in aquariums (and lionfish are very popular among marine aquarists). Lionfish are active at dusk and at night, but hungry fish can hunt during the day.

However, it is not the hunting fish that is dangerous, but the defending fish. No matter how attractive lionfish look in the water, do not touch them, do not drive them into the corners of shelters, otherwise they may rush at you. In defense, the fish turns its back to the enemy, and with lightning speed inflicts a poisonous injection with its long dorsal fin. At first, the injection seems trivial, almost unnoticeable, but the pain gradually intensifies to such an extent that it can lead to loss of consciousness. What lionfish attack with and what to do when injected is described below. The lionfish themselves become victims. The flute ambushes lionfish and swallows them from the tail, thereby reducing the risk of receiving a poisonous injection. Sharks that are immune to poison can also prey on lionfish.

	There are 5 species of lionfish in the Red Sea. Pterois miles , devilish firefish, grows up to 36 cm, hunts fish and crustaceans. This is the only lionfish that also lives in the Mediterranean Sea.
	P. russelii , a flat-tailed turkey fish, grows up to 30 cm.
	P. radiate , radiant fiery fish, smaller in size, 24 cm. Feeds mainly on crustaceans. During the spawning season, the male Pterois cares for the female.
	In lionfish genus Dendrochirus the rays of the pectoral fins are connected by a membrane. D. brachypterus , a short-finned lionfish, lives in families consisting of one male and several females.
	D. zebra Can breed in an aquarium. The eggs are floating, which is how lionfish explore new water areas

Scorpio fish, crow fish, stone fish

(Family Scorpaenidae , subfamily Scorpaeninae )

Visitors to the Underwater Observatory are even more surprised when, going to the next aquarium, they learn that the closest relatives of the beautiful lionfish are the ugly sea ruffes.

Sea ruffes (scorpionfish and related species) are mainly fish of tropical and subtropical seas. Live in coastal zone, in thickets of algae, they spend most of their time lying on the bottom waiting for prey. If a fish or crustacean swims to a distance of 10-15 cm to the ruffe, it makes a sharp jerk, opens its mouth wide, into which the prey is sucked in along with the flow of water. A well-camouflaged ruffe can lie motionless for hours waiting for prey. And the fish are camouflaged by skin growths on the head and the bizarrely variegated coloring of dark spots and stripes on a brown background, the shades of which are quite variable. Many scorpion fish are overgrown with algae and sessile invertebrates. That is why underwater photographs of these fish resemble a “find the fish” picture.

Periodically, scorpionfish molt: top layer the skin is shed almost like a snake's - with a cover and replaced with a new one; the faded color becomes bright and fresh again. In addition to ruffs, they molt like snakes, for example.

The sea ruffe only grabs moving prey, which it detects primarily with the help of lateral line organs , especially developed on his head. Therefore, the sea ruffe can hunt in complete darkness and in muddy water. The scorpionfish meets its enemy with thorns, the injections of which cause severe pain to a person, much more than the injections of lionfish.

The sea ruffe lays its eggs in separate portions, which are enclosed in a transparent shell of mucus; such mucus balloons float to the surface of the water. Before the larvae hatch, the mucus dissolves and the eggs are freed from the common shell. The hatched juveniles do not last long in the water column and soon move on to life at the bottom.

Large species of scorpionfish are edible, kosher and very tasty. However, fishermen are not very eager to catch scorpionfish, because it is difficult to remove it from the hook or disentangle it from the net. When a fish is taken out of the water, all its spines are protruding; sometimes it grumbles and growls loudly, quite unequivocally warning that you cannot take it with your bare hands.

The English names of these fish are: scorpionfish - scorpion fish, sea raven - sea raven, rockfish and stonefish - stone fish. Hebrew: akravan and akravit (from akrav - scorpion).

In the Red Sea there are 16 species of bottom-dwelling fish of the family Scorpaenidae related to childbirth Parascorpaena , Scorpaenodes , Scorpaenopsis And Sebastapistes . 7 species belonging to the genera were found in the Mediterranean Sea Scorpaena And Scorpaenodes , but they all stay much west of the Israeli coast.

Stone fish, wasp fish, ghoul fish

(Family Synanceiidae )

Close relatives of lionfish and scorpionfish are stonefish, also known as warts, which ichthyologists classify as separate family squad of ruffs - Synanceiidae . Although to an ordinary person their differences from scorpionfish are subtle, but there is a very important difference that needs to be mentioned: warts have bare skin, while scorpionfish have scales. That is, scorpionfish are kosher, but warts are not.

The wart is a very sedentary fish. The large head with small eyes and an upward-pointing mouth is covered with ridges and bumps. Pectoral fins with a very wide oblique base; The 12 thick spines of the dorsal fin are equipped with the most powerful poison glands among fish. There are also poisonous glands in the ventral and anal fins.

Warts - fish of the coastal tropical and subtropical seas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It lives in shallow places, among coral reefs or lava piles. According to its feeding method, it is an ambush predator. Usually lies huddled in a gap between stones or buried in the ground. Only sticks up upper part heads and back, often masked by fouling. Even in the littoral zone, where the wart can dry out at low tide, it is difficult to notice. If necessary, it will move, does not swim, but crawls, using paired fins as paws. The skin is changed several times a year.

At the slightest irritation, the wart raises the spines of the dorsal fin. Sharp and durable, they can easily pierce the foot of a person who steps on a fish. Ordinary swimmers' shoes do not protect against these spikes.

In English, these cute fish are called stonefish - stone fish, waspfish - wasp fish, stingfish - stinging fish and ghoul - ghoul. In Hebrew - avnun and avnunit, from the word even - stone. There are 7 types of such “stones” in the Red Sea. Synanceia verrucosa - the most common and most poisonous representative of this family. Found from the Red Sea to Australia and Polynesia. Grows up to 40 cm and 2.5 kg. A solitary fish, usually lying buried in the sand up to its eyes. Feeds bottom fish and crustaceans, pulling them into the mouth along with water. Despite its large size, it is not eaten.

But the smaller ones Choridactylus multibarbus , Inimicus filamentosus And Minous monodactylus reach the markets of Pacific countries in fresh and salted form. There are no representatives of this family in the Mediterranean Sea.

They us

Fish of the order of sea ruffs take second place after stingrays in the number of poisonous injections inflicted on people. Poisonous spiny rays are present in all fins except the pectoral ones. At the base of each ray there are 2 poisonous glands. The spine itself is covered with a free-hanging skin, which, when pricked, moves down and puts pressure on the poisonous gland. The secretion of the gland flows out and through the hollow running along the spine enters the wound. The poison is a high molecular weight protein. You can get an injection not only in the sea, fishing, diving or simply wandering in shallow water, but also at home if you keep scorpion fish in an aquarium (many aquarists consider these fish not only interesting, but also beautiful).

Based on the structure of the poisonous organs and the strength of the poison, ruffes can be divided into 4 groups. Least poisonous species Sebastes, although they can also inflict a dangerous injection. A thorn wound sometimes causes complications that disable a person for several weeks or even months, or even leave a mark for life: the finger loses the ability to bend and straighten. But sea bass The creatures are deep-sea, they are not found on our shores, but are sold in fish stores under the name rotbash or waradon.
Lionfish have long and thin spines, small venom glands, and relatively weak stings.
Scorpionfish have shorter and thicker spines, larger poison glands, and stronger stings.
Stonefish have short, strong, powerful spines, well-developed poisonous glands, and their injections can be fatal to humans.

After being pricked by a scorpionfish thorn, a person experiences sharp pain, which gradually intensifies to the point that it can become unbearable and lead to loss of consciousness. The affected area becomes numb and swollen. The pain sometimes begins to subside only after a few hours, but is felt after a few days. The severity of poisoning depends on many factors, including the type of fish, the number of spines embedded, and physical condition victims. Deep injections caused by several thorns at once are especially dangerous. With repeated wounds, a person gradually acquires immunity to fish poison and suffers less and less from it.

Since there are a lot of legends, often unreliable, about sea ruffes and their relatives, as well as about any dangerous creatures, to refute them I used an article by an American doctor, Dr. Scott Gallagher "Lionfish and Stonefish" .

Descriptions of the tragic consequences of scorpionfish injections roam from site to site. Even on a professional ichthyological website FishBase it is written that lionfish Pterois miles “The rays of the fins are very poisonous and can cause death.”

And here’s what Dr. Gallagher writes: Doctors have described 101 reliable cases of being pricked by a lionfish. All victims are aquarists. 92% had local pain, 60% experienced swelling, and 13% had systemic symptoms. There were no deaths. In 95% of cases, skin damage was characterized by erythema (redness), blisters appeared in 4% and tissue necrosis in 1%.

While the sting of a lionfish is painful and only potentially dangerous to humans, other scorpionfish are very poisonous marine animals. In any case, among fish they are the most poisonous. It is a very popular statement that when injected into a stone fish, death occurs within 2 hours. But Gallagher writes that information about fatalities from contact with stonefish is rare and unreliable. The deaths of only 3 people are documented, and only one of them died immediately after the injection, and the other two died several months after the wound from secondary infection and tetanus.

However, the prick of the stone fish Synanceia causes unbearable pain, making a person incapacitated. The pain affects the limb and the lymph nodes closest to it. The peak of pain occurs 60-90 minutes after the injection and without medical intervention lasts up to 12 hours. Residual pain may persist for several weeks. The injection site is surrounded by a ring of bluish tissue. Then swelling and redness appear, the limb may become hot, and in rare cases, tissue necrosis develops even without a secondary infection. Blisters form, the skin begins to peel and peel. Sometimes a runny nose, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, and a drop in blood pressure appear.

First aid

It is necessary to determine the injection site, carefully remove the detected thorns, squeeze out a little blood from the wound, give an anesthetic, treat the wound with soap, rinse fresh water and seek medical help.

A good method of primary detoxification is hot baths. This method helps not only with injections of scorpion fish, but also stingrays, sea urchins and other sea animals with poisonous thorns, since some venom polypeptides are destroyed at high temperatures.

According to Gallagher, the water temperature should not exceed 45 o C (114 o F). The doctor reminds that as a result of anesthesia and loss of sensitivity, burns are possible when using more hot water. But there is another opinion: the water for the bath should be as hot as the victim can tolerate. Processing time is 30-90 minutes. If the pain returns, the procedure must be repeated. But in any case, the bath is made after removing the thorns.

An antidote has been developed against stonefish venom, but it is only effective if administered immediately after the injection. But what is necessary in any case is to be vaccinated against tetanus, the pathogens of which can enter the body with a thorn and cause death. But it is best to take preventive measures.

Prevention

Most of the pricks of scorpion fish are caused by improper behavior of people: careless walking along the bottom, awkward handling of aquarists or aggressive behavior swimmers As a rule, it is impossible to notice these fish on the bottom, they are so well camouflaged. Therefore, where there is a danger of meeting them, do not go into the water barefoot, especially at night. Remember that swimming shoes or scuba gear do not provide complete protection. Poisonous rays can puncture rubber. In water, try to walk with a shuffling gait without lifting your feet from the substrate. When you see a lionfish, scorpionfish or wart, do not touch them, much less drive them into the corners of shelters, otherwise they may rush at you in defense. Aquarists keeping these fish must be very careful.

We them

As mentioned, sea ruffes are edible, kosher, and even delicious. Therefore, where they are found, they are loved and know how to cook. Mediterranean scorpionfish can be cooked Scorfano in Umido, stewing it with tomatoes.

For 4 servings you will need:
1400 g fish,
10 ripe sherry tomatoes,
2 tbsp. a spoonful of chopped parsley,
3 tbsp. spoons of flour,
salt and ground hot pepper to taste.

Blanch the tomatoes, remove the skin, remove the seeds, and chop finely.
Clean the fish, remove scales, fins and head.
Cut the carcass into fillets and cut into pieces.
Roll each piece in flour and fry in oil until golden brown.
Then take a large saucepan, put tomatoes on the bottom, and pieces of fish on them.
Salt, pepper, sprinkle with parsley and drizzle with olive oil.
Simmer over moderate heat with the lid partially open for about 30 minutes.

It must be said that catching ruffe in the Black Sea is quite a popular activity due to the unique gastronomic properties of its meat. It's elastic white, slightly sweet in taste. Excellent for frying, boiling, drying, preparing fish aspic dishes. And the legendary scorpionfish ear? This is an unsurpassed delicacy! By the way, the meat of this fish has positive influence on male libido. They say that it is stronger than the famous Viagra. Perhaps this is why many men prefer to catch ruffe rather than flounder, garfish or mackerel.

🦈 Where is scorpion fish caught?

Ruff fishing is done in two ways: from a boat and from the shore. The latter does not require any special fishing skills, much effort or serious expenses, so it is popular not only among experienced fishermen, but also among local boys. It is most convenient to catch large ruff from piers or piers, from stone embankments and rocks. The main thing is that in this place at the bottom there is at least a little vegetation and more boulders, among which scorpionfish like to hide, waiting for their prey. This predator hides in algae and under stones, ambushing shrimp, greenfinches, gobies and other small fish at the first opportunity.

Although the ruffe has some reptilian characteristics, it does not hibernate in winter. It bites all year round, but since cold period Fishing is uncomfortable, ruffed fish come off throughout the summer. As for the time of day, this fish is most active at night. If the bite is good, you won’t have to sit until the morning; in just a couple of hours you can catch a dozen or one and a half weighty prickly ruffs, which will be enough for breakfast, and you can also treat your friends.

Daytime fishing is usually done from a boat or speedboat. During the day, scorpionfish can be found anywhere: in shallow water among brown algae, on heated flagstone, near rocky ledges. But most often it concentrates on the so-called banks - underwater hills located at a considerable distance from the coastline. You can’t get there with any long-range gear; the only option to get to the fishing object is a watercraft. The depth in such places usually does not exceed 12-15 meters. Here optimal conditions for the reproduction of small and medium-sized crustaceans, habitat small species fish that scorpion fish hunt with pleasure.

🦈 Effective gear

For daytime fishing from a boat, a rigid spinning rod with a sensitive tip, equipped with any type of reel, is suitable. This can be a meat grinder (inertia-free) or an inertial mechanism - a “Nevskaya” coil and its analogues. The main fishing line is a strong monofilament with a cross-section of 0.4 mm with a margin of at least 50 meters. The equipment is simple, it includes a pear-shaped sinker, 15-centimeter leashes installed above it from a fishing line of a smaller diameter (0.25-0.3 mm) and hooks selected taking into account the size of the bait. For example, for fishing on shrimp, small ones - No. 5-6 are suitable, and for large baits (live bait, pieces of meat) you can put a hook of number 9 or even 10. The sea ruffe has a huge mouth, so it easily swallows them. It is advisable to fix the leashes on the main line using triple swivels, this will prevent them from twisting.

For fishing in difficult areas where there is a risk of snagging on underwater vegetation or stones, Black Sea fishermen make original sinkers from scraps of rebar in the form of a Roman “five”. Thanks to this shape, they almost never cling to algae and rocks lying on the bottom. They can also be quickly made from a thick lead rod with a diameter of 0.5-1 cm. There is no need to come up with any ears or loops for the load; the fishing line is simply tied at the bend point.

Another common installation for fishing ruff on a spinning rod from a boat in a plumb line is a sea circle. This is a small metal ring with several leashes tied around the perimeter. To prevent them from slipping and moving towards each other, shallow cuts are made on the ring. The fishing line may not withstand such equipment, so thin but strong twine is used instead.

When fishing with a circle, the fish hooks itself, and the heavy ring does not allow it to hide in the nearest boulders. Therefore, the fisherman only needs to load the tackle, lower the stake to the bottom, and he can calmly enjoy the contemplation of the endless expanses of the sea, without fear of missing a bite. When the ruff swallows the bait, the tip of the spinning rod will signal this with a series of short pulls.

At night, scorpionfish can be effectively caught from the shore using a float rod. Its equipment is approximately the same as when fishing with a spinning rod, plus a large white foam float, clearly visible in the dark. As an option, you can put a special night float on the fishing rod, covered with fluorescent paint, or attach a so-called firefly to a regular daytime bite alarm.

With float gear, ruffe are caught after dark from piers, piers and other structures or from a suitable rock. At this time of day it approaches quite close to the shore, reaching depths of 3-4 meters. True, large adult individuals rarely look into such obvious shallow water. Since the predator, having approached the coastal rocks, does not scour in search of food, but sits in cover and waits for it, it would be more correct to use search tactics. The more areas a fisherman fishes, the more significant his catch will be.

🦈 Catching baits and feeding

In order not to return to this topic later, let us immediately note that there is no need to feed the sea ruffe. Perhaps only in the case when a predator concentrates in an inconvenient place for fishing and needs to be lured out of there somehow. You can put some crushed shellfish and pieces of fresh fish in a fine mesh net, and then lower it to the bottom where it is more comfortable to operate the tackle. Scorpion fish will definitely be drawn to the smell of food.

We've sorted out the bait, now about the bait. What to use to catch ruffe in the Black Sea? The best bait is considered to be fresh shrimp and sliced fish, followed by pieces of squid meat and chicken fillet. Those who don’t want to bother with such baits do it simpler - break mussels or rapans and put the contents of the shells on the hook. In the sun, the bait quickly loses its freshness, even if hidden in the shade, but if the predator is well active, this is not a problem. A hungry scorpionfish does not refuse slightly spoiled meat, and sometimes it bites even better.

To say that the sea ruffe is voracious is to say nothing. His gluttony is amazing. Divers have repeatedly observed how this fish literally stuffed a piece of meat or other sea creature, the same size as herself! The huge mouth and the ability of the lower jaw to move forward make the scorpionfish a real sea monster.

🦈 How to handle caught prey

Scorpionfish is among the 10 most dangerous representatives underwater fauna. The prick of its thorn is not fatal to humans, but pain shock and redness at the site of the skin puncture are guaranteed. More serious reactions of the body also occur, for example, nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating. For vacationers this is a tragedy, but for a fisherman one injection of scorpionfish will in some way even be useful. The fact is that it is worth getting it once, suffering the consequences, and there will be no more reactions in the future, since the body will develop immunity to toxic substance this fish.

You should not regard the above as a call to toughen yourself in this way, you never know how the body will react to the poison. To avoid trouble, remove the sea ruffe from the hook with the utmost care. It has a lot of spines, the poisonous ones are located at the bases of the dorsal, pelvic and anal fins, that is, on almost all sides. Therefore, it is best to proceed as follows:

press the caught fish to a flat stone with a fishing rod;
grab her lower lip with pliers;
take scissors in your other hand and cut off all the dangerous thorns;
relax and remove the hook like any other fish.

Of course, you will have to carry extra tools with you, but these will never hurt when fishing. Moreover, thanks to them, the first medical care you definitely won't need it.

As mentioned above, the best time to fish for sea ruff is at night. Those who are not used to night fishing are advised to go to the seashore in the evening and fish until dusk. Morning, even early, is not the best best choice because of large quantity vacationers who manage to sneak into all the nooks and crannies. Starting from 8.00 there is simply no escape from them.

📽 Catching scorpionfish video

📽 How to safely cut a sea ruff video

Scorpionfish is a genus of fish that belongs to the scorpionfish family. Latin name Scorpaena.

This fish has a large head, somewhat compressed on the sides and armed with spines. In addition, there are leathery appendages in the form of tentacles on the head. She has big mouth with an oblique cut. There are velvety teeth on the jaws and on the vomer.

Medium sized scales. There are 12-13 spiny and 9 soft rays on the dorsal fin, 3 spiny and 5 soft on the anal fin. The pectoral fins have no separate rays, the lower ones are thickened. The scorpion fish does not have a swim bladder.

There are approximately 40 species of scorpionfish in the world, living in tropical and warm seas.

Scorpionfish are fish with a repulsive appearance.

These are rather lazy creatures, spending most of their time hiding in the sand or between stones among plants, waiting in ambush for prey, which become small fish. Pectoral fins help these fish bury themselves in the sand and crawl along the bottom. The coloring of scorpionfish is quite diverse, not only among different individuals of the same species, but even among the same fish. Overall it's a mixture different colors– yellow, red, brown and black. Scorpionfish are no different large sizes and are rarely longer than 30 cm and weigh no more than 500 grams.

The Black Sea scorpionfish lives in the Black Sea, or, as it is also called, the Black Sea ruffe, whose Latin name is Scorpaena porcus. It was this fish that gave the name to the entire large family of scorpionfish. In addition to the Black Sea, it can also be found in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea along the African and European coasts. Sometimes found in the Sea of Azov. It prefers to stay in the coastal zone, where it waits for prey, lying on the bottom. The main menu of scorpionfish is small fish and crustaceans.

When a gaping fish or large crustacean finds itself at a distance of 10-15 cm from the sea ruffe, it makes a sharp jerk, opening its mouth wide, and literally sucks in the prey along with the water. And in order to camouflage well in anticipation of a potential dinner, it needs the kind of camouflage coloring that we described above. The scorpionfish also has a property that is extremely rare for fish - it molts. This happens approximately once every 28 days. At the same time, the upper dull layer of scorpion skin is shed, and in its place a new one appears, with a brighter color. Scorpionfish shed their skin just like snakes - like a cover.

The scorpionfish is capable of hunting only moving objects, which the lateral line organs help it to detect, most of all the development in the head area. With the help of these organs, scorpionfish can capture water currents created by any moving object. Thanks to this property, scorpion fish can hunt successfully even at night. If the caught object is not of food interest to the scorpionfish, then it spits it out. The scorpionfish protects itself from enemies with the help of its spines, and their prick can be very painful for humans.

Scorpionfish hunt only moving prey.

Scorpionfish lay eggs in small portions, each enclosed in a transparent mucous membrane. These unique mucus balloons float to the surface of the water. By the time the larvae are ready to hatch, the balloons disintegrate and the eggs are released from the common shell. For some time, and not for long, the hatched juveniles remain in the water column, after which they descend to the bottom, where they pass later life scorpion Little fish are caught, mostly they are caught together with other fish.

In the Black or Azov Sea you can find very interesting fish, having an unusual and menacing appearance, reminiscent of the present. Large bulging eyes covered with outgrowths, a hefty mouth with thick lips and many sharp teeth, rays of the dorsal fin, similar to real spines. This formidable depth is called the sea ruffe, or in other words, scorpionfish.

Small but formidable predator

This monster belongs to the large family of scorpionfishes - marine ray-finned fish - included in the order of scorpionfishes and numbering more than 20 genera and 209 species. Representatives of this family live in the waters of tropical and temperate seas, but most prefer the Indo-Pacific region. The genus scorpionfish itself (sea ruffe is a representative of the genus), numbering 62 species, is distributed in the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans and the seas belonging to their basins.

In our country you can find two types of scorpionfish - the noticeable scorpionfish and the Black Sea scorpionfish (sea ruff). By the way, this is not the only place where this amazing fish lives. She was even seen in fresh water Shapsho in the Caucasus, not to mention the Sea of Azov.

Scorpionfish is a relatively small fish, on average its size does not exceed 15-20 cm. Rare specimens reach half a meter in length. According to its way of life, the ruffe is a predator. The basis of its diet is small fish, crustaceans, and invertebrate animals. Since the sea ruffe is very difficult to notice even at close range, it does not chase its prey, but lies motionless on the bottom and waits for the prey to approach it, after which it makes a short, swift throw.

Be careful, scorpionfish!

The sea ruffe has a very menacing appearance indeed. The body of the scorpionfish has an oblong shape, somewhat compressed on the sides, covered with small, rough scales, and a fin consisting of a number of sharp spines. The large head, covered with numerous spines and outgrowths, as well as the large, wide-lipped mouth, look especially impressive. The ruffe is quite variegated in color: many dark spots and stripes are scattered across a brown background, the shade of which can be very different. The same spots and stripes are present on the fins. A special feature of the scorpionfish is that it molts periodically (on average once a month). In this case, the top layer of skin is shed with a stocking (like that of snakes), under which a new one is found - fresher and brighter.

At the base of the spines that cover the body of the scorpionfish, there are channels that contain deadly poison. But the ruffe uses its poisonous spines exclusively for protection. If a thorn is stuck into the body, poison is injected into the wound, from which the injection site swells and begins to hurt very much, like a wasp sting. With multiple injuries, even death is possible (which happens extremely rarely). In this case, it is necessary to do everything possible to ensure that the injection site bleeds as much as possible to prevent further poison from entering the body, treat this place hot water and go to a medical facility, even if the pain begins to gradually subside. By the way, when cleaning already caught fish, it is also necessary to observe safety measures.

Despite the threatening appearance, the sea ruffe, the photo of which is reminiscent of real monsters, is not just edible - its white and juicy meat is considered a real delicacy. You can cook a variety of things from scorpionfish delicious dishes. Ukha and ruff baked in foil are especially popular. Therefore, they often become a desirable prey for lovers of fishing or spearfishing, since, due to their inactivity, they allow them to swim very close to them.