Description of the river fish loach - what it looks like and what it eats, benefits and harm

Loach fish are a tasty and healthy aquatic life, widely distributed in fresh water bodies around the world. This fish has an elongated body covered with small scales. For many years, loach has been an important source of food for many peoples, and today it is no less in demand as a gourmet fish for gourmets who know how to prepare it correctly.

Description of the species

Loach, a species of freshwater fish belonging to the class of ray-finned fish, the order of Cyprinidae.It got its name due to its ability to wriggle like a snake. Despite its unappetizing appearance, the flesh of the river loach is no less tasty than that of other species, but fishermen do not give it preference.

The loach is capable of reaching thirty centimeters in length, although the average size is between 10-20 cm. Its scales are small, but still noticeable. It has a small, elongated head and yellowish eyes located on the top of its head. The body resembles a snake, and when caught by a fish, it makes a squeaking sound, which is why it is also called a squeak. The caudal fin is small and oval in shape.

The number of antennae located close to the mouth varies from 5 to 10 pieces. The nostrils are elongated and round in shape. Males are distinguished by a long and thick second ray of the pectoral fin, while on their belly the adipose tissue forms a thickening on both sides. The average life expectancy is about ten years.

Habitat

Loach is a fish that can be easily found in a wide variety of regions, especially throughout Eurasia. It has the ability to adapt to any type of aquatic environment. This snake-like aquatic creature prefers to live in murky freshwater bodies of water - rivers and lakes, where it often burrows into the mud during the day and emerges at night to forage.

Nutrition and lifestyle

Loaches are hardy fish that survive in environments where there are no other aquatic creatures. When oxygen levels become too low, they rise to the surface and make a squeaking sound, giving them the nickname squeakers. In the summer, the sound of loaches squeaking is quite a common occurrence.

Loaches prefer wetlands, standing ponds and sluggish waters.They also prefer areas with dense vegetation, ditches and bays. The unique features of this species are the ability to wriggle its entire body and amazing endurance. During dry periods they burrow into the mud, making them virtually invisible to the naked eye.

Loaches are skilled food getters, capable of outperforming other fish. Their diet consists of invertebrates, various larvae, small crabs and eggs of other fish.

Are there any enemies?

Fishermen use loaches as bait for a reason: they are considered a favorite delicacy of large predators such as burbot, catfish, pike and perch. Herons and storks also have no trouble finding them in the mud or grass to eat. Due to the fact that squeaks are found everywhere, they remain an important element in the food chain of aquatic life.

Loaches remain abundant in many areas due to their high fecundity, ability to tolerate difficult conditions, and migration between bodies of water using wet vegetation.

These creatures are not affected by polluted water, drought, or insufficient oxygen or nutrition. However, their population is gradually declining. As a result, loaches are now classified as a species of least concern.

How not to be confused with an eel

The common river eel is much larger than the small loach, its maximum body length is 1.5 m, weight - six and a half kilograms. It has a wide head and no fins on its belly. And its dorsal fin and tail are fused together.In addition, it makes extensive spawning migrations in the ocean - up to six thousand kilometers. Eels are also capable of producing electrical discharges that are not lethal to humans, but can be dangerous for swimmers.

Recommendations for anglers

Loach is caught with both float and bottom fishing rods, using worms as bait. The diameter of the fishing line is from 0.1 to 0.2 mm, and the hooks are number five. It is best to lower the bait to the bottom rather than keep it at the very top, since it is easier and faster for the loach to find food at the bottom of the reservoir than at its surface. Loaches are not demanding in terms of bait, as they sometimes even bite on a bare hook.

Fishermen generally do not use loaches for food, instead they mainly take them to attract other fish species. However, it is illegal in some regions of Russia, so anglers should check local regulations before fishing.

After you have pulled out the loach, it is important to grab the fish tightly with both hands, as it will begin to resist. In addition, this fish is very slippery.

In winter, a trap is used to catch loaches. The basis of this trap is a basket, box or sieve without a bottom. Alternatively, use a tarpaulin with a hole in it instead. A tube wider than the diameter of the loach is inserted into this hole and placed above the bottom and under the trap to prevent the fish from escaping. The trap is then placed in the opening of the hole so that when the barbel swims inside for air, they will not be able to get out again.

Useful and harmful properties

Loach meat is a source of protein, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. The chemical composition of meat differs slightly depending on its living conditions or storage method.

Typically, 100 grams of fresh meat contains about 18 grams of protein, less than 1 gram of fat and less than 1 gram of carbohydrates. In addition, loach is rich in B vitamins (including vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, B12), vitamins A and D, and minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and zinc.

The benefit of the product is that it:

• increases immunity;
• strengthens and makes blood vessels elastic;
• prevents the accumulation of cholesterol;
• reduces the risk of heart disease, asthma and allergies;
• regulates hormonal balance;
• facilitates cell respiration;
• suppresses inflammation;
• prevents blood clotting;
• supplies proteins necessary for cell regeneration;
• participates in the formation of bones and teeth, and also synthesizes necessary hormones;
• prevents the development of rickets and osteoporosis by controlling the mechanisms of stimulation/slowdown of the nervous system.

In addition, loach fillet improves fertility, as well as dark adaptation of vision, while slowing down macular degeneration.

It is known that eating squeak stimulates brain activity, enhances memory, increases concentration, protects the skin from dryness and acne, and also improves the health of mucous membranes, hair and nail plates.

Contraindications

Eating barbel is not recommended for people who are allergic or intolerant to such foods. Salted, dried fish should be avoided by those with kidney failure, high blood pressure and a tendency to edema. Fish from dirty waters that has not been properly cooked is also dangerous. Even for a completely healthy body.

Recipes

Loach is prepared in many ways, such as fried, stewed, baked, or even turned into homemade sprats.

Stewed fish in the oven

Ingredients:

1. 1 kg loach fish.
2. 1 large carrot.
3. 1 large onion.
4. 2 medium tomatoes.
5. 1 sweet pepper.
6. 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.
7. 2 bay leaves.
8. 1 cup tomato sauce.
9. 1/2 teaspoon salt.
10. 20 ml vegetable oil.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
2. Cut carrots, onions, tomatoes and peppers into medium cubes.
3. Cut the fish into pieces and sprinkle with vegetable oil.
4. In a deep frying pan over medium heat, fry the onion and carrots until soft.
5. Add tomatoes and peppers and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes.
6. Add tomato sauce, salt, ground black pepper.
7. When the vegetables are fried and soft, add tomato sauce and stir. Turn off the heat and place the vegetables in a deep baking dish.
8. Place the pieces of loach on the vegetables in the form. Season with salt and pepper on top and add a bay leaf.
9. Cover the pan with foil and place in an oven preheated to 180 degrees for 30-40 minutes until the fish is ready.
10. After this, you can remove the foil and put the pan back in the oven for a few minutes until a golden crust forms on the top layer.

The finished fish with vegetables can be served hot, sprinkled with fresh green herbs.

Fried loaches

Ingredients:

1. 4 loach fillets.
2. 1 egg.
3. 1 cup flour or breadcrumbs for breading.
4. 1/4 tsp. salt.
5. 1/4 tsp. Finely ground pepper (white, but black will do).
6. 2 tbsp. vegetable oil.

Classic recipe:

1. Beat the egg in a bowl. Add salt and pepper and stir.
2. Place the breading in another bowl.
3. Dip each loach fillet into the egg mixture, then roll in breadcrumbs, covering with breadcrumbs on all sides.
4. Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add vegetable oil and heat.
5. Place the loach fillet in a frying pan and fry on each side until golden brown, but do not move the fish too often so as not to disturb the breading.
6. Place the finished fish on a paper towel to remove excess fat.

Serve the finished fish with lemon and herbs for decoration.

Appetizing kebabs

Ingredients:

1. 0.5 kg loach fish.
2. 25 g salt.
3. Bulb.
4. Tomato.
5. Bell pepper.
6. 2 tbsp. l. vegetable oil.
7. 1.5 tbsp. l. table vinegar.

Steps:

1. Clean the fish, remove the bones and cut it into pieces approximately 3x3 cm in size.
2. Prepare the marinade: mix salt, vegetable oil and vinegar in a bowl.
3. Place the fish in the marinade for 30 minutes.
4. Thread the fish onto skewers, alternating with chopped onion, tomato and sweet pepper rings.
5. Preheat grill or skillet over medium heat and place skewers on skewers.
6. Grill the kebabs on the skewers for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through inside.

Serve the kebabs on skewers hot, garnished with fresh vegetables or herbs if desired.

Interesting Facts

This unusual fish has something to surprise you with:

1. Loaches can live without food for up to five months and can go without water for a long time.
2. Unlike most fish, the loach has the ability to absorb oxygen through its gills, skin and intestines. His intestines have blood vessels that function when oxygen levels are low.
3. Large loaches are able to move between bodies of water in the morning due to dew on land.

Squeakers predict upcoming weather changes; 24 hours before a thunderstorm, they swim quickly and take in more air than usual. Fishermen perceive this behavior as an indication of possible rain during the day.