White fish: photo and description
Biologists usually divide fish into bony and cartilaginous, benthic or pelagic. The term "white" is more of a culinary term, and in the traditional sense it refers to all fish whose flesh is white. In nature, they live in both fresh and marine waters and are found in all corners of the globe.
There is a wide variety of white fish species. Many of them have been the main objects of fishing since ancient times. Today they continue to be mined on a significant scale and do not leave store shelves all year round.
Based on their skeletal structure, fish are often divided into flat and round. The first type usually includes species with flattened sides and a wide back. Their typical representative is flounder. Its unusual appearance is due to the fact that it spends most of its time at the bottom. A fish with rounded sides and a narrow back is called round. Unlike flat species, its ribs are directed downwards from the ridge and have a curved shape, the eyes are located on the sides, and not on the back.
The list of white fish is quite long. Most often found on the shelves:
- sea bream;
- halibut;
- flounder;
- capelin;
- cod;
- Bluewhite;
- hake;
- oil;
- notothenia;
- pangasius;
- pollock;
- tilapia;
- savorin
Keeping white aquarium fish
In order for white fish to look their best in an aquarium, you need to choose a soil and background of a dark, uniform color, not variegated, so that the fish do not get lost. But the white color is fraught with a little difficulty in caring for the fish.
Many fish diseases have external signs in the form of a white coating , spots or specks. It is quite difficult to notice such symptoms on white fish without looking closely at them. Therefore, if you decide to get white aquarium fish, be extremely attentive to them, observe the optimal temperature regime for the chosen species. Check regularly . The earlier a disease is detected, the easier it is to cure.
Nutritional quality
White fish is usually less fatty and not as expensive as red fish. But it is no less useful and is often recommended for dietary and simply healthy eating. It is a valuable source of protein, amino acids, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, zinc, vitamins B, E, A, D. Compared to meat, it is less caloric and heavy, and also contains less connective and fatty tissue.
The presence of substances necessary for the body in white fish largely depends on its habitat, lifestyle, and conditions of detention. It is believed that the most healthy meat will come from those individuals that were caught in the wild and not raised in artificial ponds. So, it will not contain growth hormones and antibiotics. An important factor for the taste and other qualities of fish is the cleanliness of the reservoir in which it lives. For this reason, experts do not advise buying a product caught in the Mekong River.
Sea white fish, as a rule, contains more iodine, vitamins D and B. It is also rich in salts necessary for the normal functioning of our body, and usually lives in cleaner water. At the same time, mercury often accumulates in it, which is why some species (bigeye and yellowfin tuna, Spanish mackerel, grouper, marlin, white croaker) are dangerous to consume.
River fish is considered less healthy, but lighter and more dietary. But iron from it is absorbed by the body better than from sea water. The most famous names of white fish that live in fresh water bodies: pike, perch, pike perch, bersh, chop, roach, silver bream, carp, carp.
Mackerel
Mackerel is a popular medium-sized game fish. It feeds on small fish and invertebrates, but also becomes prey for large water inhabitants such as tuna, marlin, dolphins and sharks. Various species of mackerel live from temperate to tropical zones, inhabiting the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans. They are found off the coasts of Western Europe, Northern and Central Africa, Southeast and Eastern Asia, Australia and Oceania.
Mackerel has fatty and tender meat that contains large amounts of vitamin D and B12. In our area, it is often consumed smoked or salted, but it can be prepared in other ways. It is boiled, steamed and baked. Due to its high fat content, it is not recommended for those who have problems with the liver, stomach, intestines and kidneys.
capelin
Capelin, or uek, is a small but very healthy white fish. It contains more selenium and vitamins A and B than meat. Capelin is rich in iodine, fluorine, sodium, bromine, calcium and is recommended for people who are prone to diseases of the cardiovascular system and thyroid gland.
This is a schooling fish that lives exclusively in sea waters. It rarely grows more than 25 centimeters, and on the shelves its dimensions, as a rule, are 10-20 centimeters. Capelin inhabits the northern seas of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Several million tons of this fish are caught there every year, but they are not in danger of extinction. Due to its high fertility, the capelin population is quickly recovering. One fish brings from 2 to 60 thousand eggs.
Zander
One of the most famous and valuable species of white fish is pike perch. It belongs to the perch family and lives in water bodies of the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere. Common pike perch is found in rivers and fresh lakes in Asia and Eastern Europe, while the Canadian and yellow species live in the United States and Canada. It is found mainly in fresh water bodies, but the marine species lives in the basin of the Black and Caspian Seas.
Pike perch is a large predatory fish. The length of its body can exceed a meter, and its weight usually reaches 10-20 kilograms. The main feature of pike perch is its fastidiousness. The fish is very sensitive to the purity of water and, at the slightest contamination, migrates to another body of water. Thanks to this, it practically does not accumulate harmful substances and has high nutritional qualities. In addition, pike perch meat has few bones, but is rich in protein, microelements and essential amino acids. It is recommended for strengthening the immune system, muscles, blood vessels and hair.
What types of white fish are there?
Sea white fish has a characteristic light color. Based on their appearance and belonging to any family, the following types of white fish are distinguished:
Flatfish
This variety includes, for example, flounder, halibut, whitefish, and tilapia.
This fish has a two-sided appearance. This fish's bones radiate from its spine in different directions, like rays. The size of the flat white fish can vary: for example, a large individual can reach a length of up to two meters.
Below we provide information about several representatives of this species.
Scientists identify up to 30 species of this fish. The body of individuals is very flattened, and the upper side, where both eyes are located, is usually brighter in color. Flounder lives on the seabed and is found, in particular, in the Azov, Cherny, Bering,
the Sea of Okhotsk and the Mediterranean, as well as the Atlantic Ocean. Spawning of this fish begins in the spring and takes place at a depth of up to 150 meters. The weight of an adult reaches three kilograms.
Halibut (or sole)
How to catch more fish?
Over 13 years of active fishing, I have found many ways to improve the bite. And here are the most effective ones: Bite activator. Attracts fish in cold and warm water with the help of pheromones included in the composition and stimulates its appetite. It’s a pity that Rosprirodnadzor wants to impose a ban on its sale. More sensitive gear. Pheromone- based baits . You can get the rest of the secrets of successful fishing for free by reading my other materials on the site.
The habitat of this fish is the northern parts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. In Russian territorial waters, halibut, in particular, lives in the Sea of Okhotsk and Barents Sea. There are black halibut, common halibut, Asian halibut and American halibut.
This is a predatory fish that feeds on cod, flounder, pollock and a variety of shellfish. Some individuals can live up to 30 years. Halibut is considered a particularly valuable commercial fish.
This freshwater, bottom-dwelling fish lives in waters with a tropical climate. It is indiscriminate in its eating and can consume various organisms found in rivers and lakes. Tilapia is bred artificially in Asian, African and North American countries. Because of its good taste, it is sometimes called “king perch.” Its meat is rich in protein and quite lean.
round fish
This species includes, for example, the following fish: monkfish, grouper, striped bass, red snapper, haddock, burbot, hake, cod
This fish is round in shape and thick. Her eyes are located on both sides of her head. The rib bones are curved and extend from the spine downwards.
There are several subspecies of this fish of the cod family. The largest specimens reach a length of more than 1.7 meters, but most fish of this species are less than a meter.
Cod fishing is usually carried out in the Pacific or Atlantic oceans; it lives exclusively in northern latitudes. This fish is schooling and prolific.
Having caught 271 kg of fish, the poachers were not punished!
During interrogation, the detained fishermen revealed the name of the secret bait.
The best prey is considered to be individuals that have reached the age of 3-7 years and weigh no more than 10 kg. At the same time, cod can also be a long-liver - some specimens live up to 100 years and grow to quite large sizes.
A silver-colored freshwater fish that belongs to the salmon family. Nelma is a fairly large fish with a long body: individual nelma reach a length of one and a half meters, and their weight can reach up to 50 kilograms.
It feeds mainly on small fish: smelt or vendace. This fish spawns in early autumn and it is worth noting that nelma is very prolific: it can have up to 400 thousand eggs.
This commercial fish is found in the waters of the Atlantic and Arctic Ocean. It is one of the top three fish species in terms of catch volume - over half a million tons are caught annually. The average weight of this fish is 20-3 kilograms, but there are some that weigh more than 15 kilograms.
A distinctive feature of this fish is the presence of a dark oval-sized spot on both sides of the head. It is interesting that it is by this sign that haddocks recognize their relatives and gather in flocks. Haddock is a low-fat fish that is recommended by nutritionists. It can be purchased at almost any retail outlet.
This freshwater fish is very similar in appearance to catfish. It lives in reservoirs of both Europe and Asia, but prefers cool water - no higher than 25 degrees, choosing bottom water layers for its habitat.
During the summer months, the fish usually hide under snags or in holes. Burbot is not accustomed to light and is active mainly at night, so it is at this time that fishing for it is most relevant. This fish can be caught using lures or lures.
It is a representative of cod fish, lives in salty sea waters and is caught in shallow water. Usually the length of the hake does not exceed 40-50 cm, but large, one and a half meter individuals are also found.
Europeans gave this fish the palm among other cod fish - the taste of hake is very impressive. The meat of this fish is recommended by nutritionists: it contains many useful microelements, vitamins and very little fat.
Striped bass
It is a valuable commercial fish and has excellent taste. The habitat of striped bass is the Atlantic Ocean, where the fish actively spawn at fairly cool temperatures. In Russia, striped bass is often found, for example, in the Sea of Azov.
This predator is the most popular fish among sports fishermen. However, catching a “minke whale” is quite difficult: it constantly moves and behaves extremely unpredictably.
To catch striped bass, it is recommended to use a fish finder and carefully select your bait (as well as use live bait). The largest striped bass caught was 37 kg.
Angler
Otherwise, this fish is called the “European anglerfish”. This is a large and sedentary fish, living at a depth of up to 200 meters. The monkfish got its name because of its appearance - a flattened head, which occupies almost two-thirds of its body.
This fish lives in the Atlantic Ocean; in Russia it can be found in the Barents and Black Seas. This marine predator feeds on small fish, and the fishery for it is quite developed: monkfish, despite its unattractive appearance, has excellent taste. In rare cases, attacks of this fish on people have been described.
Halibut
Halibut fish is a flounder fish. It is an inhabitant of the great depths of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is found mainly in the northern part of the globe and is found off the coast of North America, Kamchatka, the Far East and Japan.
The body of halibut, like that of flounder, is flat. Its eyes are located in the upper part, allowing the fish to lie completely with its belly on the bottom of the reservoir. Halibuts live for several decades, growing from 70 to 130 centimeters in length. They weigh from 5 to 30 kilograms. However, fishermen also caught individuals weighing 100-200 kilograms.
Description and features
Mackerel is a fish that looks like a spindle: its head and tail are thin and elongated, and its body is as thick as possible, flattened on the sides. It is covered with small scales that resemble leather, which greatly facilitates the preparation process - there is no need to clean the fish.
In addition to large fins, mackerel has many small ones, which, together with the shape of the body, allows it to move quickly even in active currents; under favorable conditions, the fish can reach speeds of up to 80 km/h.
Especially important for this species are 5 rows of small fins located closer to the tail and completely repeating its movements - they serve as a kind of rudder and help to maneuver. Typically, mackerel is about 30 cm long and weighs no more than 300 grams, but there are cases when fishermen managed to catch an individual weighing 1.6 kg and 60 cm in length.
On the elongated head of the fish there are eyes, like all representatives of the mackerel family, they are surrounded by a bony ring. The teeth, with which the mackerel is capable of tearing prey apart in a matter of seconds, are small and cone-shaped, and the shape of the snout is sharp.
The color of mackerel can hardly be confused with any other: the greenish-yellow or golden belly and the back with a bluish tint, decorated with a wave-like pattern, make the fish recognizable.
tilapia
The name tilapia, or tilapia, unites several hundred fish that belong to the cichlid family. They prefer warm waters and live mainly in the tropical zone of the planet. It is believed that the homeland of tilapia is Asia Minor, but today the fish are widespread in fresh water bodies of Asia, Africa, North and South America.
Various types of this fish have gained popularity not only as a culinary product, but also as pets. Back in the 19th century, tilapia was kept in aquariums, which was facilitated by its unpretentiousness and peaceful nature. Today, fish is widely consumed due to its content of vitamins B5, B6, B9, B12, E, K and important microelements. Some scientists note that the ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 in fish is not the same, and consider it a potentially hazardous product.
About fish in detail
Diet fish?
Dietary fish is considered to be one that contains as little fat as possible. Typically, the meat of such fish is dry and characterized by increased rigidity. To prepare dietary dishes, such fish are boiled without salt and fried without oil. Dietary fish without bones include almost all representatives of the underwater world of freshwater reservoirs, as well as cod, pollock and hake living in the seas.
What's the best boneless frying fish?
There is an opinion that the most delicious fish is the one you love. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s an expensive sturgeon or a trashy bleak. But what fish is considered the healthiest? And here the answer is clear - the one that contains as many useful substances as possible: fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6), without which our body cannot do without. The most useful salmon in this regard is wild salmon, that is, caught in the wild, and not bred in captivity. This is followed by mackerel, cod, trout, etc. Among the boneless fish, this list includes halibut, cod, burbot and horse mackerel.
How much it costs?
Beluga is considered the most expensive fish among boneless and small-bone fish. It is not only listed in the Red Book, but also reproduces once every hundred years! Also considered expensive fish are other representatives of the sturgeon family, which will be very rare to see on store shelves.
Catfish
Catfish is a fish from the order Perciformes. It is represented by five genera and lives in the northern regions of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Catfish is found in the Chukchi, Barents, White, Norwegian, Baltic and North seas, falling no lower than the temperate zone.
The fish weighs up to 30 kilograms and reaches 1-2 meters in length. It got its name due to its powerful, well-developed jaw and short but sharp cone-shaped teeth. They are very useful to her during hunting, helping to split the durable shells of sea animals.
Catfish have a narrow, elongated body, reminiscent of the body of an eel or moray eel. Fish meat is tender and nutritious, but it is not very easy to cook. It does not hold its shape well and easily spreads in a frying pan or baking sheet. In order for the fish to retain its shape, it must be soaked in a weak salt solution.
Harm to fish
White fish is an important product in any diet. It contains a lot of useful substances that are quite capable of replacing meat. At the same time, it belongs to products that cause allergies, so you should not abuse fish.
It is very important to include different types of it in the menu, without focusing on one. Along with essential vitamins and microelements, white fish often contains substances harmful to health, such as toxins, radioactive particles and heavy metals. You shouldn’t refuse it because of this, but before buying it is important to find out where the fish was caught and how it was kept. The lowest health risks are found in anchovies, Atlantic haddock, Atlantic mackerel and herring, sardines, and barramundi. The highest amounts of harmful substances are found in tuna, summer flounder, grouper and bluefish.
Benefits of white fish
The beneficial properties of this product have been known for many generations, and white fish dishes end up on both everyday and holiday tables. So, here are the main advantages of the product:
- Abundance of protein. This element is very important for humans because it is a “constructor” of muscle mass. White fish contains a lot of useful protein, so to cover the daily requirement, a person only needs to consume one serving of the product. Increasing the number of servings is suitable for athletes on a high protein diet. Unlike meat protein, fish protein is famous for its easy digestibility, and this is both beneficial and economical.
- Vitamins and microelements. The benefits of white fish are largely due to the amount of useful substances it contains: phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, iodine. In addition to them, the product contains quite a lot of vitamins, namely: A, E, B and D. Accordingly, regular consumption of fish will help to give up artificial vitamin complexes and ensure excellent performance of the gastrointestinal tract and thyroid gland.
- Dietary. White fish has a lot of protein, minimal fat, and no trace of carbohydrates. Therefore, the product is recommended for use by overweight people and everyone who wants to maintain a slim figure and a healthy body.
- Essential substances. The human body does not synthesize a number of substances that are extremely important for life, in particular fatty acids and amino acids. However, white fish contains them in sufficient quantities. These substances affect the growth of muscle and bone mass, the normal functioning of the nervous system, blood clotting, cleansing of blood vessels, and so on.
The benefits of white fish will be maximum if the product is properly prepared. It is worth purchasing frozen goods, and the best options for cooking fish are steamed or grilled. Of course, fish can be boiled, fried, or used as a filling - however, the calorie content of the product in such cases increases.
Buy high-quality white fish in our store, because health comes first!
