Goby is a popular fish among residents of the southern sea coasts and rivers of Russia. It is used to prepare nutritious dishes, and is also in great demand in industrial fishing. The meat of this fish contains a lot of vitamins and microelements that are important for good health. Each region of Russia boasts different types of bulls, which have their own unique characteristics.
Description of the fish
The goby is a representative of the perch family, part of the group of ray-finned fish. Its body is conical in shape, gradually tapering towards the tail.Its most characteristic feature is its large head with a broad forehead and large eyes.
The body length of this river inhabitant varies from five to fifty centimeters. They have a large head, which is larger than their body, and small, closely spaced scales. In addition, they have two long fins on their backs and a suction cup under their abdomen, with which they cling to stones or other objects.
Bulls are adored in coastal settlements. These fish have a calm and leisurely character, often hiding near stones and algae. In addition, they love to dig in the mud on the seabed; their improvised burrows are occupied either by one pair of gobies or by a whole group.
When the weather is bad and the temperature changes sharply, the fish become inactive. They usually swim away from the shore and go into deep waters. These fish do not migrate when the season changes.
The goby's diet contains a wide variety of foods, including small fish, fry, mollusks, crustaceans and worms. He is very voracious and spends a lot of time searching for food.
Reproduction
The reproduction process of this marine fish is amazing. The spawning period begins in March and continues until the end of summer. Having reached sexual maturity, males create a nest in a secluded place and lure females there. As part of the courtship ritual, the male makes deep growling and slurping sounds that cause several females to come to the nest at once.
They lay eggs that attach to rocks inside the nest, and after that only the males stay with them to ensure their survival, constantly moving their fins to prevent the water around the future offspring from becoming stagnant.
Habitat
Gobies inhabit coastal waters, living on the seabed.They are often found in seagrass beds and under rocks, burrowing into the sand for protection. To stay securely on rocks during turbulent weather, these fish use a specialized suction cup located on their abdomen. Gobies lead a sedentary lifestyle, leaving the coastline only in winter, when they migrate further into the depths of the seas.
The goby does not tolerate low temperatures and is usually found in the Black and Azov Seas, as well as Caspian and Mediterranean waters. There are species that live in freshwater environments such as rivers, tributaries and lakes. Goby is also caught in rivers, which suggests that it is not an exclusively marine fish.
The ability of gobies to blend into their environment protects them from predators such as pike perch, sturgeon, and pike. Even large “relatives”, for example, larches, who happily hunt fry, can eat bullfish. In addition to threats from aquatic inhabitants, there is also a danger from land predators such as herons, snakes and people who love to consume gobies as food.
How long does a bull live?
These funny-looking fish have a relatively short lifespan, usually ranging from three to five years. This short lifespan, combined with the fact that they are of some commercial value to fishermen, puts the species at risk. The only thing that helps maintain the stability of their population is a high level of reproduction.
Popular types
Gobies are divided into approximately one and a half thousand varieties. Some of them are very old, preserved from ancient times. They are able to live both in rivers and in the ocean. About twenty-five species of gobies live in the Black Sea waters. The most popular among them:
- Gorlach (another name is shirman). Their body is gray, with blue speckles on the sides and striped fins.
- Granny (or bighead) is a fish with a somewhat flat head and a large mouth, and its color is brown with dark and red spots.
- Martovik is a large fish that reaches a size of seventy centimeters and weighs up to one and a half kilograms. It has a large head and wide gills. It feeds on mollusks and small fish.
- The sandpiper is a medium-sized fish, the length of which reaches twenty centimeters, and the weight usually ranges from 0.2 to 0.35 kg. Its scales are pale yellow, with faded spots on it, and its fins are translucent. It is difficult to see this goby in photographs, as it can perfectly blend into the sandy bottom.
- Round timber is found in both the Azov and Black Sea waters and is distinguished by its dark, almost black color. It lives in both fresh and salt water environments on bottoms made of sand or rock.
At first, the goby seems like a rather unremarkable fish. Its coloring is modest, and it is not large in size. However, in other parts of the world there are other types of gobies that stand out with bright colors - from orange to blue. These species live in tropical regions and grow to large sizes.
The goby fish and rotan have common external features, but they are easily distinguished by the shape and size of the head. The rotan's head takes up most of its body, while the goby's head appears smaller in comparison. In addition, the shapes of their bodies are different: in sleeper it is rather flat, while in gobies it is more voluminous and flattens only in the tail area.
Useful and harmful properties
Eating gobies is beneficial for humans. The meat of this fish provides the body with essential vitamins, minerals, protein and fatty acids. It is especially good for the heart due to its magnesium and fatty acid content, which increase heart muscle strength and improve cardiovascular health. In addition, the substances contained in bull meat help reduce excessive levels of bad cholesterol.
The nutrients contained in meat improve cognitive performance and strengthen intellectual abilities. Fatty acids “work” to give hair a healthy and shiny appearance. In addition, fillets contain antioxidants that protect against cancer.
Goby is a safe type of fish that can be consumed without the risk of negative consequences. However, those who have an individual intolerance to fish and seafood should not eat it. People with fish allergies should also avoid consuming it.
Eating dried or cured bulls can be dangerous. The fact is that during the drying process, a thin airtight membrane is formed, which traps bacteria that produce botulinum toxin in the meat. It is a powerful neurotoxin that is deadly if ingested.
Fishing
The most ideal season for catching bullheads is autumn. In winter, it dives deep and hardly moves, so it is easier to catch it in the fall, when it is active and less cautious. Fishing will be especially successful at night, in September and October, when the appetite of these fish is especially strong.
Fishing will not be successful during periods of calm and storm.It is recommended to go fishing in cloudy or rainy weather, as the fish remain closer to land during these periods.
