The taimen fish, also known as Siberian salmon and water tiger, is one of the largest species of salmon fish. It is found in the fresh waters of Siberia, as well as in Alaska and the Sea of Japan. Taimen is famous for its taste and beneficial properties, such as high protein content, Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Let's take a closer look at the characteristics and beneficial properties of taimen fish, and also give several recipes for its preparation.
Description of the species
Taimen is a species of fish belonging to the genus Taimen and the salmon family, and it is famous for being the largest representative of this family. Local aborigines give this fish special nicknames out of respect for it.
Appearance Features
The body of the common taimen is slender, but quite strong, and the scales are silvery, like most predatory fish. When looking at the head from above, it is easy to notice many black spots of an X-shaped or round shape. The head resembles the head of a pike with a flattened top and bottom. The fish has a large mouth that stretches the entire width of the muzzle and almost reaches the gills. Its lower and upper jaws are equipped with small, sharp, curved teeth growing in several rows.
Taimen has wide fins that allow it to move rapidly and quickly change direction in the water. The dorsal and pectoral fins are gray, and the anal and caudal fins are red.
Young animals usually have transverse stripes along the body. The underside of the fish is usually pale, almost white, and the back and sides are dotted with spots. Their color varies from greenish-gray to brownish-red, depending on their habitat. During the breeding season there is a noticeable difference in color, but after that the color returns to normal.
After six to seven years, taimen reaches sexual maturity, when it grows up to seventy centimeters in length and weighs up to four kilograms. As fish get older, their size can be awe-inspiring. Fishermen often encounter taimen almost 2 meters long and weighing up to 75-90 kilograms. Some sources even report cases of fishermen catching individuals almost three meters long, although such cases have not been observed recently.
Habitat
The taimen fish or Siberian salmon is an endemic species and lives in the waters of Russia and some Asian countries. It is common in the rivers of Siberia, Kamchatka, Chukotka and other northern regions of Russia. Large populations of this fish with reddish or pink flesh are found in the Ob, Yenisei, Lena and Amur rivers.
Taimen is also found on the Yamal Peninsula. Historically, they were in the Volga and its tributaries. In addition, it is easily found in the Selenga River basin in Mongolia and other nearby areas. Finally, it also lives in some tributaries of the Amur River in China.
Lifestyle
The common taimen is a species that lives its entire life in one body of water. As a rule, it is found in rivers with clean water and plenty of oxygen. This fish loves low temperatures and moves to small bodies of water in the summer months and to larger ones such as rivers or lakes in the winter. Unlike anadromous forms, the common taimen prefers areas near the coastline with deep holes nearby.
During the day, this aquatic inhabitant seeks out shady places, and in the evenings it is easy to see in fast-moving waters. In the early morning, when the sun begins to rise, they feed on small fish in shallow areas, making a lot of noise. As winter approaches, they usually move down into deeper waters, where they remain until spring, occasionally surfacing for a breath of fresh air.
In the first summer months, the fish are especially active after spawning. When the water starts to warm up, they become less active due to the teeth replacement process causing discomfort.At the end of August they regain their activity level and remain active until the first frost.
Ichthyologists have not yet conducted a thorough study of the movements of taimen in rivers. The implication is that mature fish leave their usual habitats to avoid competition with young fish, which begin to defend their own territories.
Taimen should be considered a particularly long-lived member of the salmon family, due to its ability to reach an age of up to fifty years in ideal habitat conditions and with sufficient food.
Interesting! Not long ago, a specimen was discovered in the Yenisei River, estimated to be at least fifty-five years old.
Fishermen have often caught specimens up to thirty years old, but experts believe the typical age of these creatures is around twenty years.
As soon as spring arrives, taimen begin to move up the river, reaching small tributaries with fast currents to lay eggs. Usually one male accompanies the female, but sometimes two or three join her. The female finds a place about 5-10 meters long and lays her eggs there before the male fertilizes them; this process is usually completed within twenty seconds.
You need to know that the female will carefully bury her eggs after they are fertilized.
After spawning, the common taimen remains on the spawning ground for about three weeks to protect its offspring. As a rule, taimen living in cold waters reproduce annually, and their eggs are large, up to 0.5-0.7 cm in diameter. After about a month, the fry appear, although this period depends on the water temperature. They remain in the hole for another two weeks before beginning to swim freely.
Individuals become sexually mature when they reach a certain weight. Females are ready to breed when they weigh up to two kilograms, and males - when they weigh one kilogram, while their length is usually about 50-70 cm. In some cases this takes longer, depending on the environment and the availability of food, perhaps up to 8 years old.
What does it eat?
Siberian taimen feed continuously throughout the year with a short break for spawning. After the end of spawning, taimen enter a period of increased activity called the zhora period, which is quickly followed by a period of inactivity as summer approaches. Then there is another period of zhora, when the fish prepares to stock up on nutrients. This is necessary to survive the winter thanks to a thick layer of fat when food sources become scarce.
Taimen's food sources vary depending on the type of body of water. Typically, in the first years of life they feed on small fish such as whitefish, carp and grayling, as well as invertebrates. As the taimen grows older, it begins to prey on the hatched young of other fish species and by the third year of life it completely switches to a diet consisting only of fish.
Its diet consists of a variety of fish species, such as whitefish, roach, perch, grayling and loach. In addition, taimen also feed on the offspring of its relatives. It is known to prey on chicks, frogs, mice, squirrels, as well as aquatic birds; There were even cases when bats were found in the stomach of taimen.
Are there any enemies?
Young taimen become prey for other species of predatory fish and their own relatives. During spawning, when the Baikal taimen moves long distances, it often becomes a victim of bears.However, the greatest threat to the population comes from human poachers, who cause enormous harm.
Value for people
Common taimen, also called the king fish, is known not only for its impressive appearance, but also for its deliciousness. Its flesh has a delicate taste, as does its caviar. The color of the meat varies from white to pink and even reddish (depending on diet).
Despite restrictions placed on commercial fishing for this species, recreational and commercial fishing for taimen is still practiced in Russia and other countries.
You need to know that if you obtain a fishing permit (purchase a license), you are allowed to catch taimen as soon as it reaches a size of approximately 70-80 cm. The same rule applies to specially designated fishing areas.
The rules state that an angler who catches this beauty must release it back into the water, although taking photos with the prize catch is permitted. An exception may be made if the fish is seriously damaged and will not survive in its natural habitat.
Useful and harmful properties
Taimen fish meat has beneficial properties due to its rich composition. 100 grams of fillet contains about 120 kilocalories, 20 grams of protein and 4 grams of fat, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Fish oil lowers cholesterol levels in the blood, improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system and immunity, and also has an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, meat contains B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B9, B12), as well as vitamin A and vitamin D.
Its fillet is a source of microelements such as iodine, iron, zinc and selenium, necessary for the normal functioning of the body.
However, it is worth considering that taimen meat sometimes contains mercury, so its consumption is recommended to be limited for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children and people with kidney problems.
Taimen is a vulnerable species whose numbers are declining worldwide and has been listed on the Russian Red Data Book as requiring special protection. The IUCN reports that many river basins are experiencing significant declines in taimen numbers. Untouched populations are found in remote areas of the planet.
The greatest danger to the population of these fish is:
- sport fishing, both legal and unauthorized;
- water pollution;
- construction of artificial structures such as dams or roads;
- extraction of natural resources;
- fertilizers ending up in water sources;
- changes in water composition due to global warming.
The IUCN suggests using safe fishing methods such as single hooks, synthetic lures and keeping caught fish in the water.
Recipes for cooking
Professional chefs usually prefer lightly salted taimen meat for preparing a variety of cold appetizers and salads. Thermally processed meat retains all its beneficial elements.
To achieve the best results, frozen taimen fillets should be fried or boiled. In addition to appetizers and salads, this fish can be used with great success to prepare other dishes - for example, a pie or soup, seasoned with bay leaves, spices and fresh herbs.
Giblets such as heart, kidneys, liver, gizzards and bladders also taste delicious when fried until crispy and golden brown. Boiled taimen goes well with baked potatoes and wild garlic salad.
Taimen steak in sour cream
Ingredients:
- Taimen fish fillet – 2 pcs.
- Sour cream – 200 g.
- Onion – 1 pc.
- Salt and pepper - to taste.
- Vegetable oil - for frying.
How to cook:
- Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
- Cut the onion into rings and fry it in vegetable oil until golden brown.
- Clean the fillet from skin and bones, cut into portions, salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan and fry the fish pieces until golden brown on both sides.
- Transfer the fish to a baking sheet and brush each piece with sour cream.
- Add fried onions on top.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake taimen fish steaks in sour cream for about 15-20 minutes.
Once ready, you can serve it with a vegetable side dish or fresh salad.
