The Black Sea has a fairly diverse fauna. Moreover, some of the inhabitants of this reservoir are even listed in the Red Book. There are also residents who have commercial significance. However, in general, there are not many fish in the Black Sea. This is due to the fact that only 200 meters of the water surface is saturated with oxygen. In deeper layers there is a lot of hydrogen sulfide. Therefore, only the most stable species live there.
Sea bass
This is the common name for 90 species of commercial fish that belong to the Seranidae family and the Scorpiformidae order. Sea bass can reach a length of one hundred centimeters. However, most varieties do not exceed 20 centimeters. Females of this fish grow on average to eight to fifteen centimeters, and males to twelve to twenty. The weight of one fish is one hundred grams.
In spring and summer, large schools of these fish enter the Black Sea through the Bosphorus. After which they move to coastal waters to spawn. Females lay up to ten thousand eggs. The diet of these fish is based on zooplankton. Sea bass is characterized by excellent taste. Therefore, it attracts many amateur fishermen.
Sprat
This is a small relative of the herring, which is also called sprat. At the same time, ordinary people are often confused. This is due to the fact that ichthyologists and fishermen disagree. The latter are called sprats of all small herring individuals. It could also be young herring.
At the same time, ichthyologists call sprats fish that belong to the sprattus species. Such individuals do not exceed 17 centimeters in size. Moreover, their maximum life expectancy is 6 years.
Sprat usually lives at a depth of two hundred meters. Since the waters of the Black Sea are saturated with hydrogen sulfide, this figure does not exceed one hundred and fifty meters.
Stingrays
They belong to the elasmobranch cartilaginous fishes. There are 2 species of stingrays in the Black Sea. The most common species is called the sea fox. The tail and body of this fish are covered with spines. At the same time, it is characterized by tasteless meat and is used for the manufacture of wound-healing preparations.
Sea foxes mainly live near Anapa. The stingray is also found there.It is often called the sea cat. This fish is also considered a type of stingray. Unlike the fox, which has a gray-brown color, the stingray has a light, almost white tint.
The body of the fish is devoid of spines. At the same time, there is a needle on its tail, which reaches a length of 35 centimeters. There is mucus on the protrusion. It is poisonous, but not fatal.
The sea cat is an ovoviviparous species. Poisonous Black Sea individuals do not lay eggs, but carry them in their wombs. After which the fry hatch from the capsules.
Gurnard
This fish is characterized by protruding fins and multi-colored colors. In addition, the sea rooster has a cocky disposition. The length of its body reaches 90 centimeters. Moreover, large individuals weigh up to 5 kilograms. Bright fins open in the form of a fan.
The gurnard is capable of jumping out of the water and flying several meters. Protection from enemies is provided to individuals by a bone ridge, which is located on the head and covered with small spines. The fish is also characterized by scales with sharp cone-shaped protrusions. This fish eats crabs, crustaceans and shellfish.
Such individuals are distinguished by tasty meat that resembles chicken. This has led to the fact that sea roosters are practically exterminated and are included in the Red Book. Currently, their extraction is prohibited.
An interesting feature of sea roosters is their unusual way of determining the edibility of their prey. To do this, fish are felt with radial appendages. Juveniles feed several times a day. Adult fish only need one meal. Of all the species of Black Sea fish, the gurnard prefers the red mullet.
Herring
This fish is characterized by an elongated body, which is slightly compressed from the sides and is distinguished by a pectoral protrusion-keel.The back of the herring is characterized by a blue-green color, and the belly is gray-silver. The length of the fish can reach fifty-two centimeters. However, most individuals do not exceed 33.
The largest species of herring live in the Kerch Strait. It is mined there from March to May. The fish then migrates to the Sea of Azov.
Dogfish
This small bottom-dwelling fish reaches a length of 5 centimeters. It is distinguished by a large head and front part of the body. The body tapers toward the tail. On the back of the sea dog there is a continuous fin-crest. However, the main difference between this type of fish is the branched outgrowths that are located above the eyes.
Many people are interested in what color the sea dog has. It is characterized by reddish-brown shades. Fish that live in the Black Sea live in shallow water and at a depth of up to 20 meters. Dogs prefer to form packs. At the same time, they hide between stones and rocky ledges.
Mackerel
This fish belongs to the Mackerel family and is part of the Perciformes order. It is becoming increasingly difficult to catch mackerel in the Black Sea. Due to the unintentional introduction of Mnemiopsis into the reservoir, the food species of this fish disappear.
Mackerel is famous for its taste. This fish is characterized by fatty meat, which contains many unsaturated acids. It is important to take into account that in addition to benefit, these individuals can also cause harm. The fact is that mercury accumulates in the body of mackerel. However, this feature is inherent in many marine fish. Therefore, nutritionists advise alternating them with freshwater ones.
Pipefish
This is one of the most unusual fish that live in the Black Sea. In appearance, individuals resemble a needle or a snake. These fish travel frequently, easily cruising between the Black and Azov Seas.The pipefish spawns several times a year - from April to mid-October. The maturation of fish takes a long period of time - 3-6 years. These individuals form schools and often serve as a source of food for predatory fish and dolphins.
The pipefish feeds on crustaceans. Moreover, the fish does not bother catching them, but simply draws them in with the water. These individuals are considered relatives of the seahorse. When stopping, they rest on their tail.
Flounder
This is a commercial fish that lives at a depth of 100 meters. Flounder is characterized by a very unusual appearance. It has a flattened body. To camouflage itself, the upper body of the flounder produces various light pigments. However, this ability is not typical for the lower side. The flounder likes to lie on its left side.
This fish belongs to the predatory species. Its diet is based on small fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Flounder is characterized by dietary meat, the protein of which is 100% digestible. This fish also contains vitamins B12, A, D. In addition, it contains Omega-3 acids and phosphorus salts.
Sea crucian carp
Not everyone knows that crucian carp live not only in freshwater bodies of water. Representatives of the Sparovs are increasingly spreading in the Black Sea. Previously, crucian carp were mainly found in the coastal areas of Anapa and Adler. But recently they have begun to be caught outside this zone.
A total of 13 species of crucian carp are found in the Black Sea. Moreover, 7 of them are passing and sail through the Bosphorus. The remaining species of Black Sea crucian carp lead a sedentary lifestyle.
These individuals are also called weasels. They are similar to freshwater crucian carp. Individuals are characterized by an oval body, laterally compressed. It is covered with scales on top.The plates are even present on the gills and cheeks of the fish. The length of marine individuals usually does not exceed thirty-three centimeters. At the same time, crucian carp measuring 10-13 centimeters predominate in the Black Sea. The easiest way to distinguish sea crucians is by color. They are characterized by a silvery body, on which dark and light stripes alternate.
Black Sea gobies
This fish has a large head and belongs to the order Perciformes. In total, there are more than 600 species of gobies. At the same time, no more than 10 are found in the Black and Azov Seas.
The largest representative of these individuals is considered to be the March goby, the most numerous is the round goby, and the rarest is the lynx goby. All representatives of this species spawn at shallow depths. It has a durable shell, and therefore is able to withstand the blows of the surf.
red mullet
This valuable commercial fish occupies a leading position in taste and popularity. The length of the Black Sea red mullet reaches 20-40 centimeters. At the same time, long antennae are located on the lower jaw of the fish. They are very important for nutrition. The red mullet uses its antennae to lift bottom mud in search of food. It is characterized by bright scales, in which red tones dominate.
A distinctive feature of individuals is the ability to change shade. After being caught, the red mullet turns bright red and then gradually becomes lighter. This type of fish is characterized by very nutritious meat. As a rule, red mullet is fried, dried and salted.
Sea ruff
The sea ruffe is also called the scorpion fish. It is a predatory fish that lies in wait for prey on the sand or among stones. These individuals live at depths of up to 50 meters and are predominantly nocturnal. Sea ruffes feed on everything that swims in front of them.At the same time, they often attack prey from ambush.
It is recommended to catch such individuals using bottom gear. When choosing bait, it is recommended to give preference to horse mackerel, sprats, and shrimp. You can also catch sea ruffe using chicken meat.
Swordfish
This fish is rare in the Black Sea. Here it appears only if it swims from other waters. A characteristic feature of the swordfish is its powerful bony nose, reminiscent of a saber. However, the fish does not pierce its victims with this weapon, but hits it backhand.
Pelamida
This commercial sea fish belongs to the Scombridae family. Pelamida lives in Crimea. Life expectancy exceeds 10 years. It can reach a length of 1 meter and is a gregarious predator.
Every few years, schools of bonito enter the Black Sea through the Bosporus. These individuals not only feed here, but also spawn. With the onset of autumn, bonito always heads south. It is worth noting that it is characterized by excellent taste.
Sturgeon
This is a family of the oldest order of cartilaginous fish. Sturgeons lived when, during evolution, the basis of the skeleton in the form of bone had not yet appeared. These fish are predominantly migratory. This means that they live most of their lives in the sea, but move to rivers to spawn.
In sea waters, representatives of the Sturgeon family prefer to lead a bottom-dwelling lifestyle and feed mainly on mollusks. The lifespan of such individuals reaches 40 years. At the same time, they are capable of reaching very large sizes.
The meat of representatives of the Sturgeon family has excellent taste. However, their caviar has an even higher consumer value.
The beluga is considered a very common representative of the family.The largest individuals reach a length of 9 meters and weigh 2 tons. The average weight of the fish is 50-200 kilograms. Despite the fact that beluga meat contains only 7-9% fat, its taste is second only to sturgeon. In addition, this fish is characterized by the largest and most valuable black caviar.
Another common representative of the family is the sturgeon. This is the common name for 16 species of migratory and freshwater fish. The average weight of sturgeon living in the Black Sea is 15-20 kilograms. This fish is characterized by excellent taste. Sturgeon caviar is second only to beluga caviar.
Stellate sturgeon is considered a common representative of the Sturgeon family. It reaches 2.2 meters in length and can weigh 68 kilograms. However, the average weight of individuals that can be caught is 5-10 kilograms. The stellate sturgeon is characterized by a narrowed body and a sharp head.
It is worth noting that the number of such individuals is constantly decreasing. Fish tissue contains 8-15% fat. From a culinary point of view, stellate sturgeon, like other types of sturgeon, has no equal. At the same time, it is characterized by relatively small caviar, which is inferior in value to sturgeon and beluga. The most expensive type of fish glue is made from the swim bladder of the stellate sturgeon.
Another popular member of the sturgeon family is the thorn. The largest individuals reach 3 meters and weigh 200 kilograms. However, usually the size of the caught individuals is no more than 20-30 kilograms. It is worth noting that the number of thorns is constantly decreasing. From a culinary point of view, such individuals are slightly inferior to other members of the family. Moreover, the name reflects the pointed shape of the body.
Greenfinch
These individuals belong to the order Perciformes and number 8 species. This type of fish usually lives in rocks covered with algae thickets. Spawning of such individuals occurs in the summer. At the same time, they lay up to 50 thousand eggs. During this period, the fish build nests, which are located between the stones.
The diet of greenfinches is based on worms, crustaceans and mollusks. It is worth noting that these fish are characterized by a variegated color. That is why they are well known to fishermen and divers. However, the fish has no commercial value.
Katran
Katran is a small shark, the length of which is 1-2 meters, and the weight is 8-25 kilograms. Near the dorsal fins of individuals there are spines covered with mucus. They are distinguished by their poisonous shell.
The poison of the katrans is not too dangerous. Being pricked by a shark's needle causes pain and swelling of the affected area, but is not life-threatening. The katran is characterized by a dark gray color and a light belly. Rare white spots are also present on the sides of the fish.
Mullet
These individuals belong to the Mullet family. At the same time, several varieties of mullet are found in the Black Sea - sharpnose, singil and mullet. The sharpnose is characterized by a narrow nose on which there are scales. Singil is characterized by plates that start from the back. In this case, there is one tubule on the back.
The mullet is considered the most common variety of Black Sea mullet. It is characterized by a convex head and large size. The mullet is distinguished by its rapid growth, and therefore is of great commercial importance. By the age of 6, this fish reaches 56-60 centimeters and weighs 2.5 kilograms.
Sea Dragon
In appearance, the sea dragon resembles gobies, but is characterized by poisonous properties. The threat is posed by the spikes that are located on the head and on its sides. The upper growths look like a crown. A collision with a sea dragon can cause limb paralysis and severe pain.
As a rule, fishermen encounter injections from such individuals. Poisonous fish get caught in nets and have to be taken out. Not everyone can do this carefully.
Astrologer
In total, there are 15 species of stargazers, but only 1 lives in the Black Sea. It is distinguished by a flat head with large eyes that are close to the center. When the fish buries itself in the sand, they look up. This allows individuals to wait for prey. However, from the outside it seems that the fish is looking at the stars.
Such individuals are characterized by tasty dietary meat. However, they do not belong to commercial varieties. This is due to the fact that stargazers have sharp, poisonous spines on their gill covers. If they are injected, the affected area becomes very sore and swollen. Therefore, fishermen prefer to avoid meeting with stargazers.
There are a variety of fish species in the Black Sea. Some of them are of commercial importance, others are on the verge of extinction and are even listed in the Red Book, and others are dangerous poisonous species.
