What kind of fish is pelengas and the equipment for it

What does pelengas fish look like?

The body shape of the pelengas is elongated, cylindrical, with a rounded head and an elongated, smoothly tapering tail.

The appearance of the bearing has some features:

• there is no lateral line on the body;
• the scales are smooth and shiny, dark spots can be seen on the edges;
• dorsal fin long and low;
• there are several large scales on the head;
• the fish has only pharyngeal teeth.

Description of the species will be incomplete without indicating its size. Thus, the average body length of an adult pelengas is 0.6-0.7 m, weight - 3-5 kg. In the Azov and Black Seas you can find individuals up to 1.5 m long and weighing 10-12 kg.

Types of bearing

Pelengas is the only species in the mullet genus. After its successful acclimatization in Europe, a conditional division into subspecies appeared according to the place of catch. Now the following types of bearings are distinguished:

• Far Eastern.
• Pelengas Azov (or Don).
• Black Sea pelengas.

The appearance of all varieties is similar. The difference lies in the size of adults. Thus, the basis of the diet of the pelengas in the Far East is detritus: organic particles formed as a result of the decay of the tissues of dead fish and other inhabitants of water bodies. Representatives of European subspecies have a much wider food supply: fish feed on rephyton, small invertebrates, and polychaete worms (Nereis). A sufficient amount of food and higher water temperatures stimulate the growth of fry, as a result of which individuals living in the Black and Azov Seas reach marketable weight by 2-3 years of life.

What is the difference between pelengas and mullet?

In some sources, the pelengas living in the Far East are called the Far Eastern mullet. In fact, mullet and pelengas are different species. What is the difference between them?

Typical mullet

You can determine the type of fish by the following external characteristics:

The habits of the pelengas also have certain differences: representatives of the species obtain food at the bottom, looking for particles of food in bottom sediments, and mullets feed near the surface. In this regard, different methods and equipment are used to catch these two species.

Mullet and pelengas differ slightly in taste, while pelengas contains more fats and proteins, and mullet contains more microelements and nutrients.

CARP

Biological characteristics of fish, difference from similar species

The pelengas becomes a special representative of the mullet family. This fish also has such names as belingas, pilengas and pelingas.

A representative of the mullet can reach a weight of 7 kg, although most often trophies up to 3 kg are caught on a hook. The fish can grow up to 150 cm in length, but fishermen can count on catching individuals up to 40 cm. The fish is distinguished by an elongated body shape in the form of a torpedo, on which there are large scales.

Unlike the mullet, the pelengas are larger in size, and the fish’s eyes are orange. There is also a significant difference in diet, which affects fishing methods. The head of the sawfish also has scales with a dark spot on the edge.

A distinctive feature is the underdeveloped fatty eyelid, which is located outside the eye. A special leathery fold is formed on the upper jaw. Because of this, it protrudes slightly beyond the lower lip.

Life expectancy of pelengas

Under natural conditions, the average lifespan of the species is 6-8 years. Some individuals living in favorable conditions are able to live up to 10-12 years.

When artificially breeding pelengas, individuals that have reached 3-4 years of age are caught. Further keeping of fish is not profitable, since the annual weight gain is significantly reduced.

Spreading

The birthplace of pelengas is the Far East. Numerous populations of Far Eastern mullet inhabit the Sea of ​​Japan and its largest Gulf, Peter the Great. In the second half of the 20th century, ichthyologists from the Berdyansk branch of the Azov Research Institute of Fisheries attempted to resettle the Far Eastern mullet into the Sea of ​​Azov, and it was successful.

Favorable conditions contributed to the rapid reproduction of pelengas in the Azov and Black Seas. The fish became the object of commercial fishing. Now the Far Eastern mullet is found in large numbers in the brackish estuaries of these seas, river mouths, and in the river. Don and in the channels connecting coastal reservoirs.

The adaptability of the sawfish to life in low-salt water gave impetus to its artificial breeding.

Spawning of the pelengas

The age of sexual maturity depends on the variety: in the Far Eastern pelengas, males and females first spawn at 4-5 years, in European species maturation occurs 2-3 years faster. In addition, females living in the Black and Azov Seas are capable of producing one and a half times more eggs than their eastern relatives. This breeding feature is the main reason for the rapid increase in the population of pelengas on the European continent.

The period when pelengas go to spawn begins in May-early June. The optimal temperature for spawning is +18-20 degrees. Flocks of sexually mature individuals go to shallow bays and bays in search of a suitable place for breeding. The eggs of the pelengas are pelagic (they do not stick to objects, but float freely); in order for them to float to the surface, spawning must occur in sea water with a sufficient concentration of salt. A small number of grown fry can swim into river deltas.

Where is pelengas found?

The habitat of the pelengas depends on the time of year: thanks to its ability to adapt to life in salt and fresh water, it periodically migrates from sea areas to rivers. From late spring and throughout the summer season, fish live in bays, bays and estuaries. She very rarely swims far from the shore. From mid-autumn, flocks of pelengas enter rivers and look for places for wintering. Cases have been recorded when fish lay down for the winter along river channels at a distance of 80-100 km from the mouth.

Unpretentious and easily adaptable to new conditions, pelengas are actively used for breeding in natural and artificial closed reservoirs. Ponds and pools with a depth of at least 3 meters with a sufficient number of shelters and wintering pits are suitable for stocking. Rapid growth of the livestock is ensured by special feed.

In taste and nutritional value, freshwater pelengas are somewhat different from fish grown in their natural habitat.

Benefits and harms

The taste of pelengas is inferior to mullet, but remains a desired delicacy for many. The rich composition of fish guarantees benefits for the body:

• Vitamin E. Improves the condition of skin and hair, protects against infections and serves as a preventive measure for Alzheimer's disease.
• Iodine. Normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland.
• B vitamins. They prevent diabetes mellitus and improve the functioning of the nervous and digestive systems.
• Iron. Prevents the occurrence of anemia.
• Phosphorus. Normalizes metabolism and maintains acid-base balance in the body.
• Potassium. Prevents the formation of edema, saturates brain cells with oxygen.
• Selenium. Increases the body's defenses and inhibits the growth of cancer cells.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 acids. They reduce blood cholesterol levels and are considered the best cure for depression.

Only stale fish can cause harm to the body, so when purchasing, you need to pay attention to what pelengas fish looks like:

• pleasant fresh smell;
• lack of mucus;
• transparent eyes;
• shiny scales;
• red gills;
• smooth belly (no signs of bloating).

It is advisable to purchase fish before cooking, since it can be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than a day. If frozen, it can be stored for a month.

People with allergies to seafood are strictly prohibited from consuming pelengas; in all other cases, it will be a wonderful table decoration. You can afford fish even during a diet, because its calorie content is only 84 Kcal per 100 g.

What does pelengas eat?

The diet of the pelengas consists of organic sediments, detritus, worms and other small invertebrates. Large individuals can feed on sprat, anchovy, and goby fry. In search of food, the fish swims to the bottom, lowers its head, becoming at an angle of 45 degrees, and begins to remove the top layer of silt with its mouth. The structure of the pelengas allows it to filter out silt with its gills, leaving pieces of food and live prey in its mouth.

By selecting organic matter from the sludge, pelengas helps purify the water and prevents massive fish death.

Mullet mullet

Another name is black mullet. The fish received this nickname due to its darker color compared to other types of mullet. The body of adult individuals is elongated, thick, resembling a torpedo in outline. Covered with large scales. There are about 40 transverse rows, the number of longitudinal rows reaches 15.

In the sea, the fish looks especially attractive. The back is green, the silver sides meet on the white belly. 7 longitudinal stripes of brown color appear clearly.

Mullet spawn all summer, catching September. During spawning, small flocks with one female and several males are formed. A large individual is capable of producing up to 13 million eggs.

The mullet feeds on the organic remains of marine life, algae, larvae, and worms. Fish can tolerate varying concentrations of salt in water. Found in small schools off the coast.

How to catch pelengas correctly

When choosing a fishing spot, you should take into account that pelengas are found in coastal areas at shallow depths, preferring areas with a sandy and muddy bottom. It is in such places that the maximum concentration of food (invertebrates, organic sediments and small fish) is observed.

When fishing from the shore, the following equipment is used for bearing:

• A fishing rod with a durable rod for casting bait over a distance of 100-120 m.
• Multiplier or spinning reel with a spool size of 4000 and a line supply of at least 200 m.
• Weight weighing up to 150 grams (when choosing a sinker, you should take into account the strength and direction of the wind, as well as the desired casting distance).
• Leaders are 15-20 cm long with hooks No. 7-9, on which pieces of foam are baited to raise the bait above the bottom.

Nereis is considered the best bait for pelengas. Worms can be obtained from the top layer of soil covering the bottom of bays and estuaries. To do this, the soil is lifted from the bottom with a shovel and carefully sorted, trying not to damage the delicate body of the Nereis. A worm on the pelengas collected in this way can be stored for a week.

Nereis

If you don’t have the desire or ability to get bait from the bottom yourself, you can purchase live or dried worms in specialized stores. Artificial Nereis is also suitable for catching pelengas. It can only peck at an ordinary dung worm or maggot during the feeding period.

When using the Liman worm as bait, experienced fishermen use modified hooks with additional soldered wire spikes. This design keeps the actively wriggling worm on the hook.

Lately, underwater hunting for pelengas has become increasingly popular. Fans of this type of fishing have the opportunity to observe the life of marine inhabitants, appreciate the beauty of the underwater world and get trophies. For underwater fishing, crossbows and underwater guns are used (the most famous equipment manufacturers are Cressi, Seac Sub, Mares, Pelengas).

BREAM

What time of year is pelengas caught?

The fishing season for pelengas begins in early May, when after the end of the ice drift the fish descends along river channels, populating shallow bays and estuaries. All summer, before the onset of cold weather, flocks actively feed in coastal zones, fattening up mass for wintering. From mid-October, the pelengas go into the rivers, where they remain until next spring.

The fish does not fall into a state of suspended animation during the cold period, but its activity at this time is very low.

The most intense bite is observed from sunrise to 9-10 o'clock; during the day and in the evening, only rare single bites are observed.

It should be remembered that the behavior of the bearing depends on weather conditions. At low pressure and during a storm, the fish are least active and do not show interest in the bait. On a sunny, warm day, flocks of pelengas resume their search for food, which significantly increases the chances of catching.

Fish behavior by season

Pelengas is a semi-anadromous fish species. Fishing with amateur gear begins in May and continues until the onset of winter.

• In summer, schools of this marine representative of the ichthyofauna are concentrated in shallow bays and bays.

  
  Photo 1. Sea bay.

  Read also:  Traveling around Karelia
• In autumn, from October, migration to rivers begins. For wintering they travel over a distance of more than 100 km.

This is interesting! Pelengas perfectly withstands not only changes in water salinity, but also sharp temperature fluctuations.

• After the end of the spring ice drift, schools of pelingas again roll into the sea. The fish comes close to the shore, where spawning occurs in desalinated areas.

It should be noted that the behavior of the bearing is significantly influenced by the weather. Active biting occurs after a storm; fish are caught well in southern or western winds. The most predictable bite occurs in the morning, although bursts of activity can be observed both during the day and in the evening.

Nutritional value and calorie content of pelengas

The meat of pelengas has a pleasant milky color, it is tender with a sweetish taste and has almost no small bones. The most valuable components for humans are polyunsaturated fatty acids, B vitamins, iodine, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and selenium. Pelengas is distinguished by a high percentage of proteins: its beneficial properties and nutritional value are explained by the fact that protein accounts for a fifth of the total weight of the carcass.

The calorie content of the product depends on how the fillet is prepared: boiled fish contains 83 kcal per 100 g, and fried fish contains up to 95 kcal.

Among the many recipes for preparing pelengas, you can find a dish to suit your taste: fish soup, fish soup, stuffed or baked fish, jellied fish, steaks fried in a pan or over coals, cutlets and fillet zrazy. Pelengas caviar and vitamin A-rich liver are also eaten.

COM

How to select and store

In the store you can buy both fresh and frozen fish. When choosing a fresh product, you need to inspect its scales; they should be shiny and have a pleasant, specific smell. The eyes of each fish should be transparent. When purchasing fresh fish, it is recommended to do this before actually preparing it, as it can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 24 hours.

It is important to be able to choose the right fish because most people have never seen a live pelengas. When purchasing fresh food, you must adhere to these rules, otherwise spoiled fish can lead to poisoning. In addition, low-quality products can cause infection with various parasites.

It is quite easy to distinguish fresh fish from spoiled fish by smell. Fresh fish has an unpleasant ammonia smell. And it's not difficult to do on the street. There should be no stains or blood on the carcass. Fresh gills are bright red. The tail is flat and the belly should not be bloated. You can also check if the fish is fresh by pressing your finger on the back. If the hole quickly recovers, it means the product is fresh.

When it comes to frozen fish, just check the expiration date and freeze date on the package. For clear packaging, look for fish with less ice on it.

How to clean and cut

Many people are interested in how to remove and cut fish in a short time, so that there is no need to clean the kitchen. There are several secrets in this case. For example, you can pour boiling water over both sides of the fish. The liquid should not be poured out very quickly, but you should not stay in one place, as the placental skin can quickly come off. It's best to do this in the sink.

To prevent scales from spreading throughout the kitchen, you can place them in a water container and clean them with your hands or a knife. Waste remains in the dishes, and supplies and the kitchen are clean. If you can't get rid of the scales, you can run hot water over them, but not cool, boiling water. Then you can use a knife or a hard sponge. After this, the cleaned fish can be cut.

Interesting facts about bearings

• When moving in search of food, pelengas often jump out of the water. Seeing a boat or boat nearby, the flock changes direction, sailing away from danger.
• Adults are so strong and active that during commercial fishing, some of them jump over the edge of the net back into the sea.
• Pelengas is able to quickly adapt to new conditions. This is evidenced by the following fact: the first few years after the species settled in the Black and Azov Seas, single individuals weighing up to 2 kg were caught in the catches; in the 80s, a significant increase in the population was recorded, and in the 90s its numbers increased so much that the fish was recognized as a commercial species.
• The largest amount of fat (up to 9-10%) is found in fish caught in late summer and early autumn.

What does the price depend on?

Pelengas is a valuable commercial fish that can be bought in specialized fish and grocery stores. Due to its large weight, it is sold cut up, so it is rarely possible to see what it looks like whole. Dietary meat with medium fat content contains only 84 kcal/100g. It can be used to prepare various children's dishes, but it is not recommended for use as food for people with individual intolerance.

The price of fish is determined taking into account the following factors:

• origin, that is, in what environment it was grown - natural or artificial;
• size;
• presentation – live, frozen, dried, smoked;
• time and weather conditions of the catch.

There are practically no bones in this fish; the meat is rich in nutrients and minerals, such as retinol and B vitamins.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing a carcass, you need to remember its description: a round, wide back, shiny scales that fit tightly to the body, red-violet gills indicate good quality.