River fish includes an amazing variety of living organisms that live in fresh water bodies. Not only is it an important source of food for humans and other animals, but it also plays a significant role in the balance of ecosystems. There are a huge number of species of river fish in the world, from small carp to giant catfish and pike. Moreover, each type has its own unique characteristics.
Bream
Bream is a freshwater representative of cyprinids, common in Europe and Asia. It has an elongated body of gray-green color with a silvery sheen, covered with large scales. It generally reaches a length of up to 70 cm and a weight of approximately 3 kg. The maximum registered weight is 25 kg. The average life expectancy is about 20 years. Active in spring and autumn, spawning occurs from May to July, spending the winter in hibernation at the bottom of reservoirs. The meat is white, delicate and has a sweetish taste, considered one of the most delicious among freshwater fish.
Gustera
A small and sedentary representative of perch. The color is greenish-yellow with a silver belly. The average body length is about 25 cm, although sometimes they reach lengths of up to 35 cm. Life expectancy is usually about 10 years. Weighs from 700 to 1200 grams, depending on age and living conditions. Inhabits rivers and lakes of Europe, from Northern Spain to the Urals. It spawns in the spring, when the water warms up to 8-12 degrees, and for this purpose it gathers in flocks. The meat has a slight sweetness, but is too bony. The diet includes fry and insects.
Carp
Freshwater representative of cyprinids. But it is also found in the Caspian Sea. It has a long body with golden brown scales and large scales. The body length reaches 1 meter, and the weight is on average 4 kg. Average life expectancy is 15-20 years.
It spawns in the spring, when the water warms up to 18-20 degrees Celsius. The diet is dominated by young reeds and eggs of other fish. Sometimes it also eats insects. Its meat is considered tasty and dietary. However, to make it more tender, it is recommended to soak it in cold water for several hours before cooking.
Carp
Freshwater long-lived (some reach 100 years old).Its elongated body is covered with large golden scales with shades of brown and green. It has characteristic whiskers, which it uses to search for prey at the bottom, rummaging in the mud. Very gluttonous. Adults reach a length of up to 1 meter and weigh up to 10 kg.
Lives in reservoirs with muddy bottoms in most countries of Europe, Asia and America. Reaches sexual maturity at the age of 3-5 years, lays eggs when the water temperature reaches 18-20 degrees Celsius. Fish are capable of laying up to 1 million eggs.
They prefer to eat various plant and animal foods, including algae, insects, and shellfish. However, experienced fishermen catch them using undercooked potatoes and bread crumb balls. Carp meat is a delicacy with a soft texture and sweet taste. However, not everyone can catch a fish, because it is very strong and nimble.
Asp
Belongs to the carp family. It has a rather thin and elongated body, colored silver, dark blue with a gray tint. Lives in rivers, lakes and ponds of Europe and Siberia. Does not like stagnant bodies of water and prefers places with fast currents. Life expectancy is approximately 5-7 years, and the weight of an adult is about 10 kg. Body length – 1-1.5 m.
Its meat is rich in protein, does not contain much fat and has a delicate taste. It is an omnivorous fish, feeding on aquatic insects, crustaceans, small fish and vegetation.
Chekhon
This is a small freshwater inhabitant that lives in rivers, lakes and ponds in Europe and Western Asia. It is distinguished by an elongated body shape with small scales. The color is varied - from golden yellow to silver with a greenish tint. The average weight of an adult fish is 1 kg, and the length is about 40 cm. The life cycle reaches 8 years.Omnivorous fish living in schools in shallow waters. It feeds on algae, insects, worms, and in the fall - only bugs. Its meat is tender and lean, so it is often used in cooking.
Channel catfish
A small representative of the catfish family, living in fresh waters. Prefers small warm reservoirs (canals). Brought to us from South America. Reaches a length of up to 20 cm and has a dark brown color with spots and stripes. Adults weigh 50-100 grams. It feeds on various organic substances, such as detritus and algae, and insects. Migrates during the spawning period, when the water warms up to 25 degrees. Young fish reach sexual maturity by two years.
Acne
Freshwater predatory fish that lives in waters of Europe and Asia. It has a long body with a long flexible tail, much like a snake. Reaches a length of up to 50 centimeters and weighs up to 10 kg. Lives up to 50 years, provided there is enough food (small fish, snails, worms and crayfish) and protection from predators.
Snakehead
As the name suggests, this aquatic creature also resembles a snake. It reaches 1 meter in length. A characteristic feature of the appearance is a long head with a flat profile.
The snakehead is thermophilic and lives in sea waters along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in some adjacent rivers. Its meat is tasty and healthy, with a pronounced marine aroma.
Burbot
Outwardly it resembles a catfish, but is not as big as it. It has a wide body, covered with large scales, grayish-brown in color with a white belly. Loves cold waters. Migrates long distances for spawning, which occurs in winter. Hunts at night.
Loach
Found in small rivers of North America and Eurasia. Loves muddy bottoms.It got its name due to its ability to move quickly and flexibly, like a leaf in the wind. A bit like an eel. Reaches a length of up to 30 cm. Color varies depending on the habitat, but usually it is brown or greenish in color with a white or yellow belly and small scales.
Char
This is an interesting representative of the salmon family, distinguished by the fact that it has absolutely no scales. Hence the name of the fish. Its meat is valued not only for its delicate taste, but also because the portion does not decrease in volume during heat treatment.
Hungarian lamprey
This is a small freshwater representative of perch. It has an elongated body and bright yellow eyes. It is found in rivers only in Ukraine, as it is an endangered species. Its fishing is prohibited by law. It can live its entire life in a chosen body of water and does not migrate.
Ukrainian lamprey
This is a bottom-dwelling freshwater predatory fish. Outwardly similar to the previous representative of the river inhabitants, but her body is thinner. It reaches a length of 30 cm and weighs up to 1 kg. Life expectancy is up to 15 years. It feeds on small fish, crustaceans and mollusks. It adapts to a variety of habitat conditions due to its ability to survive in conditions of low oxygen content in the water. Loves shallow water. Spawning occurs in the spring, when the water warms up to 10
Sterlet
This is an ancient fish with a unique appearance and soft, tender meat. Its elongated gray-brown body is covered with small scales, but what makes it special is its long nose, which vaguely resembles an anglerfish. It reaches a length of up to 1.5 meters and a weight of up to 100 kg. Sterlet can live up to 60 years, and some species even up to 100 years.However, the average age is 25 years. Now this predatory fish is considered rare, found in fresh and salt waters in the north of the planet.
Danube salmon
A small fish that reaches a length of up to 70 cm and weighs up to 3 kg. Life expectancy is about 4-5 years. The habitat is limited to the Danube River and its tributaries. The meat is light pink in color and has a tender texture. It is a predator that feeds on small fish and crustaceans. Sometimes consumes aquatic plants and detritus. Currently endangered and protected by law.
Brook trout
Freshwater fish found in cold rivers and lakes of the northern hemisphere. Reaches lengths from 15 to 80 cm and weighs from 0.5 to 5 kg. Average life expectancy is from 3 to 5 years. It feeds on insects and small crustaceans. Never eats vegetation. Its meat is rich in proteins, iron and vitamin B12.
Umber
A small fish that lives in the Danube and Dniester basins. Her body is covered with scales with a silvery-greenish tint. The dimensions are usually from 10 to 20 cm, and the weight reaches up to 300 grams. Life expectancy in the wild is approximately 4 years. Lives in fresh water bodies and usually prefers cold and clean waters. Its meat is not particularly tasty, but is often used to make canned food or pet food. It feeds primarily on insects and small aquatic invertebrates such as crustaceans, toad fry and worms.
Rudd
It got its name due to the red tint of the feathers on the gill covers and pectoral fins. Similar to a roach, but looks brighter and more elegant.The body length of an adult fish is usually from 15 to 30 cm, and the maximum weight is up to 1.5 kg. The rudd lives in clean water bodies in central Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Lives in nature up to 17 years. It is quite unpretentious in care and quickly adapts to changing living conditions. It is distinguished by its delicious meat. It is tender and aromatic, contains a lot of protein and fat, vitamin P. This fish is omnivorous. The diet includes algae, small vegetation, insects, crustaceans, but most of all it loves caviar of mollusks. It actively feeds throughout the year and is able to stay both in the depths of the reservoir and near the surface.
Podust
One of the most common species in fresh water bodies. Its elongated body is gray-green, its belly is white. Reaches a length of approximately 30 cm and weighs about 1.5 kg. Life expectancy is from 8 to 12 years. Prefers water with good circulation and sufficient vegetation. It feeds mainly on insects, mollusks, and plant foods.
Zander
The body reaches a length of up to 40 cm. It is distinguished by a greenish-brown back and a whitish belly. Dark spots are visible on the side, which help to hide in the grass and other shelters. It lives up to 25 years, and its weight sometimes reaches 15 kg. It lives only in clean freshwater bodies of water, including large rivers and lakes, as well as artificial reservoirs. It feeds on small fish, crustaceans and sometimes insects, using its ingenious hunting tactics - lying in wait for prey and suddenly attacking it.
Bersh
A predatory representative of perch, common in freshwater bodies of Europe and Northern Asia. Usually reaches a length of 25-30 cm, although sometimes individuals up to 50 cm long and weighing up to 2 kg are found.The body color is brownish-green, with dark spots on the lateral line and on the nose. Life expectancy in nature is about 10 years, but they can live up to 20 years under favorable conditions. It feeds mainly on small fish, insects and crustaceans.
Perch
The body length is usually from 15 to 40 cm, and the maximum weight can reach 2-3 kg. Perch lives only in freshwater and clean reservoirs, without silt bottom. This small fish is a predator, eating small fish, insects and even rodents.
Ruff
The ruff reaches a length of up to 20 cm and weighs up to 350 g. Some fishermen consider it similar to an eel, but its characteristic difference is the spines on the fin. They protect against predators. It feeds on plant and animal foods, including algae, fish food, small crustaceans and insects. Loves clean water, but can live in muddy ponds. In the second case, it is able to change color.
Chop
A rare representative with an elongated body shape, silver-green color, large scales and a prominent snout. Adults reach a length of up to 40 cm. They live in the fresh waters of the Danube River and its tributaries. Spawning occurs in April, when the water warms up to 10 degrees. It feeds on a variety of foods, including insects, small crustaceans, mollusks, as well as other fish and plant foods.
Pike
A large predatory fish that lives in fresh rivers of Eurasia and North America. The body length reaches 1.5 meters, and the weight is up to 15 kilograms. Its narrow, long body is covered with dark green scales with bright green spots. The pike's mouth is large and full of sharp teeth, which helps it hold its prey well. The life cycle of pike lasts up to 20 years. The most important thing for her is the presence of oxygen in the water.A special feature of pike spawning is that they lay eggs in thickets of reeds and vegetation, which provides protection from predators and provides good conditions for the survival of the fry. The water temperature should be around 5 degrees. The meat is known for its excellent taste and low fat content. Pike prey on small fish, frogs, crabs and other aquatic animals, as well as small mammals that accidentally fall into the water.
Roach
- Russia - additional word
One of the most common freshwater fish in Russia and Europe. It lives in standing and slow-flowing reservoirs; its color depends on the quality of the water. Somewhat reminiscent of the rudd, but larger in size. Body length is from 15 to 25 cm, sometimes more. The weight of an adult fish usually does not exceed 500 g. The main diet is small aquatic invertebrates and algae, and fish fry.
Bleak
- in red - additional word
Her small body is covered with small silvery scales. Size - from 10 to 20 cm. Reaches a weight of 100 g. Distributed everywhere, prefers water with a high oxygen content, clean, but can also live in muddy ponds.
Bystryanka
The body size of an adult does not exceed 10 cm, weight - up to 10 g. The body color is silver-white, the life cycle lasts 3-5 years. It lives in the fresh waters of Europe and Asia, including the rivers of Russia and Ukraine. It feeds on aquatic invertebrates and small vegetation. It grows very slowly.
Gudgeon
Found in rivers, lakes and reservoirs in Europe and Asia. Reaches a length of up to 25 cm and weighs up to 500 g. It is distinguished by its ability to grow quickly. Loves clean waters with fast currents.It feeds on a variety of aquatic organisms, including small fish, insects and crustaceans. Spawning occurs in the spring on clayey soils or on the rocky bottom of rivers and lakes.
White amur
Representative of cyprinids. Outwardly similar to ordinary carp, but the second one is smaller. White amur got its name due to its white body color and light belly. The maximum weight reaches 40 kg, and the length is more than 1 meter. However, the average weight is about 5-10 kg. Lives up to 20 years under optimal conditions. Its habitat covers many countries of the world, including China, Russia, and the USA. A herbivorous fish that can accept both live and artificial food, which makes it popular in industrial farming.
Silver carp
This is a large fish, reaching a length of more than 1 meter and weighing up to 30 kg. Massive body with a light gray back and silver belly. Although this fish is a herbivore, it has teeth that help it grind its food. Due to its fast metabolism it grows very well. Distributed in freshwater bodies of the northern hemisphere, including lakes, rivers and ponds, it is thermophilic.
Som
Large freshwater fish of the catfish family. The body is cylindrical, covered with mucus, without scales, up to 2.5 meters in length. The fins are small and not clearly expressed. Weight varies depending on the species, age and conditions of detention. The largest catfish weigh up to 400 kg. It feeds on a variety of plant and animal foods.
crucian carp
Distributed everywhere, as it is not picky about the quality of food and its quantity. When there is a lack of food, it goes into hibernation. The color of the back is greenish-gray, the sides are yellowish, and the belly is white. The size usually does not exceed 30 cm, and the weight is 500 g.It feeds mainly on plant foods such as algae, bottom algae, and microorganisms. Also eats small invertebrates.
Tench
Tench is a beautiful fish, sometimes called “royal”. Distributed in fresh water bodies with dense vegetation in the northern hemisphere, including Russia. It is an important object of commercial and recreational fishing. It knows how to adapt to the conditions of the reservoir and is difficult to catch with the same bait twice.
Chub
A freshwater fish common in fast-flowing waters in the northern hemisphere. The average size of a chub is about 70 cm, weighing up to 7.5 kg. Predatory fish with semi-fat meat. Chub fat is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins A, D, E and B12. Spawning occurs in the spring, on gravel or sandy soils, at a temperature of 15 degrees.
Ide
Reaches lengths from 30 to 70 cm and weighs up to 3 kg. The life cycle reaches 20-30 years. The list of places where it lives includes all rivers and lakes of the northern hemisphere, such as the Yenisei, Ob, Volga, Dnieper and others. A hardy predator that lives up to 20 years. Active even in winter. Spawns in the spring, when the water warms up to 6-12 °C.
European grayling
European grayling, or Siberian grayling, is a valuable commercial predatory fish. The back is dark green or gray, the sides are yellowish, and the belly is white. Lives up to 20 years. The peculiarity of spawning is that it occurs on pebbles and rocky soils, at temperatures from 10 degrees.
Carp
Freshwater representative of cyprinids. It lives in lakes, rivers and reservoirs in Europe and Asia, where it is found at depths of up to 15 meters. Its long body is covered with dark silvery or greenish scales. Body color changes depending on water conditions.The maximum weight reaches 6 kg, and the length is up to 80 cm. It feeds mainly on small fish, as well as large insects and frog larvae.
