What kind of fish is pangasius, benefits and harms, how to choose and prepare fillets

Pangasius - what kind of fish and what is its “secret”?

Pangasius is a freshwater fish that belongs to the catfish family. People often call it shark catfish. This is due to the special shape of the fin. It has a point, and therefore resembles a shark. The fish mainly lives at the bottom of rivers and is quite shy. At the same time, it has high activity.

The photo shows a pangasius, what it looks like after being caught.

And this is how we know him

Pangasius is an omnivore. It eats living inhabitants of water bodies, such as small fish, plankton, mollusks, and also feeds on algae. When breeding pangasius on farms, it is often given special food in the form of granules. It consists of fish waste. This product contains minerals and valuable additives.

Species of shark catfish

The most common 2 types of pangasius:

1. High-finned (sanitwongzei) – this species is characterized by a muscular body, flattened head, and large mouth. The fin located on the back is triangular in shape. It is quite stretched out. This variety has a uniform gray-black color and light fins, which are decorated with a black border. The fish can reach a length of 100 cm. However, on average its size does not exceed 50-70 cm. The fish mainly leads a solitary lifestyle.

2. Big Eyes pangasius aquarium - its distinctive feature is the dorsal fin, which is characterized by its small size and rounded shape. The mouth of this species of pangasius is much smaller. Juveniles have longitudinal stripes. They do not disappear with age, but become significantly lighter. When grown in an aquarium, the size of the fish usually does not exceed 30-40 cm. It is highly mobile. When grown in aquarium conditions, it is recommended to keep this variety in flocks of 5-6 individuals.

   
   Bigeye shark catfish

The difference between pangasius and other fish - tilapia and sole

Quite often, pangasius is confused with sole. In fact, these are completely different fish that belong to different orders. The sole is flounder-shaped, so it is characterized by a flat body structure.

The sole has a white fillet. It appears almost transparent. At the same time, pangasius is characterized by white-pink or gray meat. Moreover, it always contains pinkish fragments, which is not typical for sole. In addition, the sole always has a thin fillet, since the fish itself is flat. There is also no fat in this product.

Pangasius also differs from tilapia, which is constantly confused with it - it has a more rounded body and fins of a different shape (see photo):

tilapia

Pangasius from below and sole from above

Delicacy salt in cooking

Solea is a delicacy: it is more tender than flounder both in texture and taste. It is easy to make a completely boneless fillet from it, so even inexperienced restaurant guests can handle this fish without losing their faces. Fish is prepared in the same way as other sea creatures. Fried fillet is especially appreciated by gourmets, but salted and cooked in the oven or slow cooker are good.

“Salt fish,” as the sole was called in pre-revolutionary Russia, was a very expensive restaurant dish. It was also served to the table of the nobility only on special occasions. This is due to the difficulty of transporting the product in an era when there were no freezers and few cooks knew how to cook salt well.

Habitats

In nature, pangasius is found in freshwater bodies of Indochina. It is found in Laos and Cambodia. The fish is also found in Vietnam and Thailand. Most of it is found in the Mekong and Chao Phray rivers.

It is important to consider that they are heavily contaminated with effluents from chemical plants, household waste and toxic substances. Therefore, the generally beneficial pangasius fillet may turn out to be harmful if proper control is not ensured over the fishing and processing of the fish.

Fish processing often takes place under unsanitary conditions, as does fish farming.

What kind of fish is tilapia?

Composition and calorie content of fish fillet.

Tilapia fish is bred everywhere and is an object of industrial fishing.
The family consists of several genera and hundreds of species living in freshwater bodies, but it appeared on the shelves of our stores relatively recently, so it is still exotic. They are low-calorie foods that are rich in proteins and minerals. Calorie content is only 114 kcal per 100g. The chemical composition surprises with its diversity. It includes:

• “light protein” that can be quickly absorbed;
• vitamins B, E, D, K, PP, choline;
• mineral elements, including selenium;
• polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3/6).

The disadvantage is the high cholesterol content (160 mg/100g), but there are many more advantages. This composition allows you to include fish in the diet of children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Important! It is most often delivered to Russia in the form of fillets. The tropical fish tilapia is not suitable for breeding in our frozen waters. She cannot live in them.

Lifestyle in aquarium conditions

Pangasius lives well in aquariums, which is why it is often bred for industrial purposes. Fish has a cowardly character, so it can rush in different directions or even faint. But little by little her behavior is normalizing.

Pangasius is a cautious and timid fish. Under any external influences, it simply freezes. The shark catfish can remain in this position for some time. Sometimes he even seems lifeless. But as the fish adapts to the situation, its behavior returns to normal.

Shark catfish have a fairly peaceful character. It is permissible to use barbs, labeos, and rainbows as neighbors. When choosing other inhabitants of the aquarium, it is important to ensure that the pangasius is not too large. Otherwise, other fish may suffer in conflicts.

Aquarium shark catfish

What fish do scientists consider absolutely safe?

Fish that is grown in eco-farms lives in water purified from mercury, so you can eat it without any fear for your health. Some marine and oceanic species are also considered safe: they rarely reach large sizes, so the content of toxic substances in them is negligible. We are talking about the types of fish that you can (and should!) eat more often in order to get all the necessary fatty acids.

Herring

Many people love salted herring. You can also buy it fresh and cook it at home. This fish is considered one of the most environmentally friendly, although it is never grown on farms, but is caught in the ocean. It contains a lot of protein and fatty amino acids.

Sardine

This is a completely ordinary fish that can be found in any store, but it is very useful. It contains a large amount of calcium (more than cottage cheese!), as well as iodine, potassium, magnesium, fluorine and omega-3 fatty acids. Most of the beneficial properties of sardines are preserved in canned food; they can be given even to small children from 1 year old, crushed with a fork.

Mackerel

Another fish that may seem boring. But it is healthy and safe, tasty and fatty: it contains vitamins E, A and D, trace elements and minerals. It should be included in your diet at least 2-3 times a week to support immunity and healthy bones, skin, hair and nails.

Pink salmon

This fish is also caught in the wild, so there are no traces of antibiotics or other additives harmful to the body. Fish with pinkish-orange meat contains vitamins B12 and B3, A, E and D, healthy fatty amino acids (including essential ones).

River or lake trout

This fish is very “picky”: it simply cannot live in dirty water, which is why its meat is considered one of the cleanest. Trout is low in calories compared to fatty types of sea fish, but it also contains a lot of amino acids and vitamins (primarily A and E).

Low-fat fish also include ruffe, river perch, pike, pollock, flounder, hake, and navaga. haddock and roach. The healthiest of them is called cod; it is suitable for dietary nutrition, good for home smoking, salting and cooking using hot methods.

Among the types of fatty fish, Caspian sprat, beluga, salmon, Chinook salmon, Ivasi, stellate sturgeon, omul and sturgeon are considered safe.

Nutritional preferences and regime

Pangasius is an omnivorous and unpretentious fish. He eats almost everything - other fish, plant products, shellfish. When bred in aquarium conditions, fish can be fed with different types of food - tablets, flakes, live foods. The best option for pangasius is a mixed diet. To do this, combine plant and animal feed.

You need to feed the fish 2-3 times a day. The serving size should be such that the pangasius can eat it within 5 minutes. Among animal foods, he prefers small fish, worms, bloodworms, shrimp, and crickets. When choosing plant foods, you should use zucchini, cucumbers, and lettuce.

What kind of fish is sole?

Solefish is a fish that belongs to the category of flounder. The appearance of this living creature really resembles a flounder a little. The sole has a flattened body, slightly oblong oval shape, the eyes of the fish are located on one side.

This body structure is determined by the way the fish exists; it spends most of its time lying on the bottom. However, during the day she has to rise closer to the surface in search of food, because it is not always possible to find something edible at the bottom.

Most fishing enthusiasts use this time to enjoy fishing for this cunning sea creature.

The size of the fish can reach a meter in length, but these are only isolated unique cases. The average fish grows to a length of 30 centimeters . Sea fish are covered with hard skin, which consists of small scales. The fish has a brown-gray natural color, which becomes lighter closer to the head.

Fishing in natural conditions - if such a chance suddenly presents itself

To successfully catch pangasius in its natural habitat, it is necessary to take into account a number of features. To do this, it is important to know the habitats of fish and choose the right fishing gear.

Where to find

The fish, as already mentioned, lives in the Mekong and Mae Khlong rivers. It can also be caught in Chao Piraya. The basins of these reservoirs are located in Vietnam and Laos. They are also located in Cambodia and Thailand. Pangasius is a river fish.

Tackle

To catch this fish, special gear is usually used. In one pass, fishermen manage to pull out several individuals at the same time. They are placed in containers with water and sent to processing plants. There the fish is cleaned, cut, and vacuum packed. After which the pangasius fillets are exported to other countries.

This fish is very rarely caught on its own. Therefore, there are no exact recommendations regarding the preparation of gear. Fish can be caught using an ordinary fishing rod or a professional spinning rod. It is important to ensure that the tackle is strong enough. This will help pull out heavy fish.

This is such a pangasius fishing farm - would you like to participate?

How to catch

It is permissible to use cake, bread balls, and fruit as bait. You can also use leeches and worms for this purpose. Adults bite well on protein foods. You can easily catch them with live bait. Squid or shredded beef balls are also great.

The most difficult stage of fishing is fishing. It is not recommended to immediately take pangasius ashore. First you need to take time so that the fish gets tired and stops resisting. If while waiting it sinks to the bottom, it is recommended to tap the fishing rod. As a result, the fish will get scared and rise to the top.

A tired fish turns over with its belly up. At this stage, it is recommended to put on gloves, bring it to the shore, grab it by the gills with a hook and pull it out.

Lure

When fishing, you need to feed it. To do this, food is thrown into the water from a raft. Fruits and vegetables, bread, and cereals are used as top dressing. Small fish are also perfect for this purpose.

Tilapia fish: benefits and harms

Beneficial substances contained in king perch.

Substances that have a beneficial effect on the body:

1. Thanks to phosphorus and calcium, the skeletal system is strengthened.
2. Potassium and Omega acids improve cerebral circulation.
3. Selenium stops mutations at the cellular level and normalizes hormonal levels.
4. Polyunsaturated fatty acids help the cardiovascular system function smoothly.
5. Vitamin E is a strong antioxidant that maintains youth and beauty.
6. Vitamins help against depression, weakness, and support the immune system.

Beef: when and for what reason did cow meat come to be called that?

Eating dishes from king perch will help maintain the normal functioning of the body and keep it in good shape. Who will benefit from diet and healthy immunity?

Interesting! Tilapia proteins are held in high esteem by bodybuilders, for whom dishes made from this fish help quickly build muscle mass because they are well absorbed. The fair sex also does not refuse a dietary product, which helps not only to lose weight, but thanks to vitamin E, maintain a beautiful appearance.

Possible health hazards

Tilapia fish, a photo of which is presented in the article, causes some controversy regarding its benefits.
It turns out that fish is not so harmless: it can cause harm. The danger lies in the fact that cichlids are omnivores; they can feed on a wide variety of foods: from plankton and algae to industrial waste and river debris. And here it all depends on how conscientiously the manufacturer treats this. If the food is of poor quality, the fillet will contain harmful and even hazardous compounds. The second not very favorable factor is the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Ideally, Omega 3/6 should be in a 1:1 ratio. But in king perch this ratio is broken and is 1:3, which negatively affects the functioning of the cardiac system. Therefore, people should refuse fish delicacies

• prone to allergies
• those suffering from heart disease,
• patients with asthma, arthritis,
• having autoimmune problems.

Important! It is better to purchase tropical fish from trusted sellers (look at the certificate) so that it turns out to be truly useful and not harmful. It’s good if you have the opportunity to choose fresh and healthy fish yourself.

Taste, benefits and harms of fillet

The meat of this fish is characterized by a rather delicate taste, in which specific sweetish notes are felt. They are due to the fact that the fish is freshwater. Fillet can be of 2 colors - white or yellow-pink. The second option is of lower quality. The shade of meat is influenced by dietary habits and fish breeding conditions.

Pangasius fillet is a fairly healthy product. It includes many valuable substances. Fish is in demand among athletes. This is due to the significant amount of protein in it. This substance is responsible for the supply of amino acids, which take part in the formation of muscle tissue, maintain normal insulin levels, and strengthen the immune system. The product is dietary. There are only 115 kcal in 100 grams of fillet.

The beneficial properties of pangasius are undeniable, but there is a big BUT...

Pangasius meat contains phosphorus and calcium, which bring great benefits to the body and are important for bones. According to scientific research, systematic consumption of shark catfish fillet helps reduce the likelihood of osteoporosis. The substances that are present in this fish are necessary for the normal functioning of the heart.

Pangasius also contains many vitamins that help improve the functioning of the nervous system. With their help, it is possible to get rid of insomnia and increased fatigue. Fish helps cleanse the body of free radicals, which negatively affect the condition of internal organs. This product contains ascorbic acid. It promotes the rapid absorption of valuable elements in the human body.

Although pangasius is not a marine fish species, it contains omega-3 acids. These substances have a beneficial effect on the condition of the joints. They also improve the functioning of blood vessels and restore tissue structure. In addition, these components help normalize the appearance of hair, nail plates, and skin. In addition, unsaturated fatty acids help improve vision.

With the systematic use of this product, the following results can be achieved:

• improve brain function;
• stop the aging process;
• prevent cancer;
• improve the absorption of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
• strengthen the immune system;
• start the fat burning process;
• stimulate metabolism;
• strengthen the heart.

Pangasius fillet is not classified as a hazardous product. However, if the rules of breeding, processing, transportation and storage are violated, it can cause great harm to health. Therefore, it is recommended to buy the product in fish stores that provide all the necessary documents.

Gray, reddish or yellow fillets are especially dangerous to health. The product acquires a reddish color due to oxygen deficiency, living in unsuitable conditions or treatment with toxic substances. A yellowish tint to the fillet is observed if the pangasius was not fed properly or lacked nutrients. Gray color if the fillet has been defrosted and frozen numerous times, or the storage rules were not followed. Therefore, it is not recommended to buy fillets of these shades.

Also, harm to the product may be associated with a violation of the fillet freezing process. It is best to shock-freeze fish. The use of this technology does not provoke changes in the composition and texture of the product.

Pink fillet is a good sign if the pinkness is natural

An excess of this type of fish in the diet can negatively affect the functioning of the body. Before adding fillet to the menu, you should consult your doctor. If you are intolerant to pangasius or have allergic reactions to fish, it is better to avoid it.

Chemical composition and benefits

The calorie content of sole is only 88 kcal per 100 g. It contains 10.3 g of protein, 5.2 g of fat, and no carbohydrates. Although its meat is lean, it contains healthy fatty acids that help eliminate the effects of a diet unbalanced in animal fats. The meat of this fish is rich in cobalt, which also helps fatty acids fight atherosclerosis. Another important microelement is chromium, which enhances the effectiveness of insulin. This is an ideal food for losing weight. It has everything to normalize carbohydrate-fat metabolism.

The product is rich in phosphorus, potassium, fluorine, iodine and vitamins A, E and almost all representatives of the extensive B group - and even folic acid, the source of which is usually recommended from plant foods. The high content of easily digestible protein makes it dietary.

Features of cooking pangasius fillet - recipes with video

Pangasius is a fairly oily fish, which is why it is often used to prepare various dishes. The advantage of this product is that it does not require cleaning or cutting. Stores sell ready-made fillets. It needs to be defrosted, washed and started cooking.

Fillet is used for soups, main courses, casseroles, cooked in a frying pan, in the oven and in a slow cooker. It makes excellent soufflés and aspics. You can use this meat to make pie fillings. Boiled fillet without fat is often added to dietary salads. In most cases, pangasius meat is fried, boiled or baked. When boiled it makes an excellent broth.

Note! The meat of such fish harmonizes perfectly with various dressings. It goes especially well with lemon-vinegar sauces.

Pangasius must be defrosted naturally. It is not recommended to use hot water or a microwave oven. However, the fish does not need to be completely defrosted. This is done only to a certain state, when the meat can be easily cut with a knife. Thanks to this cutting method, it will be possible to preserve the maximum of valuable components in the fish.

To make a healthy fish casserole, you should take the following ingredients for the recipe:

• 500 grams of pangasius fillet;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 onion;
• 1 egg;
• 100 grams of sour cream;
• 200 grams of cheese;
• spices.

The carcass needs to be cut into pieces and placed in a mold, sprinkled with any spices. Place onions and carrots on top. Separately mix the egg, sour cream and cheese and pour the dressing over the fish and vegetables. The dish needs to be baked for half an hour at a temperature of 200 degrees.

To get a dietary dish, you can use a double boiler. It is recommended to take the following ingredients:

• 200 grams of pangasius;
• 1 tomato;
• 50 g broccoli;
• a little bit of cheese;
• a pinch of salt.

The fillet should be washed and dried, placed in a steamer bowl and lightly salted. Place tomato and broccoli florets on top. Sprinkle the vegetables with hard cheese and turn on the steamer. You need to cook the dish for 15 minutes from the moment the water boils.

A very tasty dish can be obtained using a grill. To do this you need to take the following products:

• 1.5 kg fish fillet;
• 3 limes;
• spices for fish.

The fillet needs to be washed, salted and seasoned with your favorite spices. Then place the fish on the grill and place lime slices on top. It is recommended to fry the fillet on coals for 25 minutes. As a result, the fish should become golden. Open fire is not recommended.

Pangasius in batter:

How to cook pangasius fillet in the oven - video recipe:

Pangasius is a tasty and inexpensive fish that is used for various dishes. To choose the right product, it is important to consider the color and consistency of the fillet.

How to correctly distinguish sole from pangasius?

It is quite difficult to distinguish sole from pangasius, especially if you buy already separated carcasses, which are sold in stores and supermarkets.

There are a number of differences that will help to recognize and distinguish these two types of fish:

1. It is necessary to carefully examine the fish fillet , which is laid out on the counter. The sole carcass is always transparent, while the pangasius fillet should theoretically be white, but finding such a specimen is quite problematic. The color range of fish fillets ranges from gray-white and dark gray. The dark color of the fillet is characteristic of low quality fish. Look what pangasius fish looks like.
2. The sole has a thin fillet.
3. Pangasius has an unpleasant river smell , which sometimes smells like a swamp.
4. The ridge strip is visible quite clearly in the pangasius, which is not typical for the sole.
5. Solefish is a fish that has absolutely no fatty layers.
6. Taste : Pangasius has a pleasant aftertaste, which disappears as soon as the fish cools after cooking.