Carp is the most famous, but far from the only species of fish from the carp family. There are more than 2 thousand species of cyprinids in the world, including aquarium species. They are common in Russia, Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. The habitat of this large family includes both tropical and temperate zones and even the Arctic Circle. The carp family includes fish of commercial value.
There are more than 2 thousand species in the carp family
Description and collection of fish from the carp family
Cyprinidae are fish from the carp family. There are about 2 thousand species. Represented by marine, freshwater and aquarium inhabitants. Within the family there are more than 250 genera, which are grouped into 9 subfamilies. The habitat of carp fish is enormous. They are found throughout the world, but the main habitat is Asia and Europe. The body of the fish is covered with scales, the head is bare. The edge of the upper jaw is formed by the premaxillary bones, the belly is rounded without ossification. There are no adipose fins. Cyprinidae species differ from each other in color, manners, food preferences and lifestyle. The size of the fish can vary greatly depending on the species. Small representatives of the family grow up to 6-7 cm, while some species can reach 1.5-2 m. The largest carp fish is considered to be a huge barbel, whose length reaches 3 meters. He lives in Thailand and Vietnam. The body color of cyprinids can be very diverse. A particularly famous one is:
- golden;
- silver;
- dirty green.
Romanian
Romanian carp was bred in Romania based on crossing Ukrainian and Hungarian carp. The body of this type is quite thick. Length reaches 100 cm. Weight up to 12-16 kg. Rare representatives gain weight of 20 kg.
The body is yellow with a green tint, the back is dark green with a blue tint. The belly of the fish is light in color. Color can vary greatly depending on living conditions.
Like many types of cyprinids, they love warm water. Undemanding to living conditions. They can tolerate a lack of oxygen and food. Egg laying occurs in May - June at a water temperature of 18-20 C.
Family Features
The family's attorneys are united by the presence of the Weber's aggregate and pharyngeal teeth. They are located on the lower pharyngeal bone in one, two or even three rows. Cyprinids swallow food with their mouths, and grinding occurs closer to the pharynx. For this reason, fish have rather fleshy lips. The fish are also characterized by a huge swim bladder and a specific digestive tract. The final one is not divided into compartments, but has the form of a tube. In predators it can achieve the length of carp, and in herbivores it can exceed the body size by more than 2 times. The length depends on the diet of the fish.
Linear
The most insignificant and genetically unstable variety of cyprinids. Very similar to the naked and mirror look. Distinguished by one row of large scales along the lateral line.
Linear carp have low growth potential. There are few red cells in the blood; the fish needs a body of water with high oxygen levels. Weakly resists diseases and parasites. Muscle mass and skeleton develop more slowly than in other species. It has a small number of rakers and gill teeth.
Linear carp are inactive. If there is enough food and oxygen in the pond, nutrients are stored mainly in fatty form. This species is bred in private ponds exclusively for sport fishing.
The most famous representatives in the form of a list
There are several thousand fish of the carp family. They have long taken leading positions in both commercial fishing and aquarium farming. Below, especially famous fish of the carp family are described in more detail in the form of a list.
River
- a huge fish of chestnut or yellow-green color. It grows up to 35 cm. It lives in virtually any, even polluted, body of water. The fish is heat-loving. Selects lakes and river backwaters with a small current and a moderately silted bottom. River carp is a commercial fish species.
The most famous fish among anglers. This species is considered the largest among carp; individuals weighing about 40 kg have been encountered. The scales take on different shades, depending on the color of the water and plants of the reservoir in which the fish lives. Indeed, scaly carp is thermophilic; it adapts admirably to northern latitudes. It can be found in lakes, quarries or rivers. Omnivorous. Scaly carp is a commercial fish.
One of the strangest attorneys of his family. They are distinguished by a small number of scales and increased requirements for the habitat. It is found in virtually every territory of Eurasia, but the reservoir must be well aerated with a huge number of well-warmed areas. Carp is omnivorous. The length reaches 1 meter, body weight - 20 kg. Refers to commercial species.
Valuable commercial fish. Lives in lakes, ponds and muddy rivers. It chooses aquatic plants for food. The size reaches 1.2 m, weight - 35 kg. Delightfully adapts to any temperature. It lives in Asia, Europe, South America, Australia and South Africa. Often inhabited in water bodies to control vegetation.
Another commercial species of carp. They differ from the rest with a wide forehead. The average size of an adult silver carp: length - 1 m, weight - 20-25 kg. Silver carp chooses plant foods and is easily acclimatized. It, like grass carp, is often introduced into water bodies to destroy plants. Inhabits fresh water bodies with muddy bottoms and soft vegetation. Distributed to virtually all territories of Europe and Asia.
A medium-sized fish that lives both at the mouths of rivers flowing into the Caspian Sea and in the sea itself. Grows up to 40 cm, weighing up to 1 kg. Feeds on sedentary invertebrates. It is often classified as one of the varieties of roach, although the fish differs both in some external signs and in its habitat. Vobla is a commercial carp species and is mainly consumed dried or smoked.
Another commercial fish is carp-like. It lives in fast-moving and slow-flowing rivers, tributaries of rivers and bodies of water with running water. Needs a lot of oxygen. Distributed in virtually every territory of Asia and Europe. It has an elongated cylindrical body, covered with silvery scales. The anal and ventral fins are red, the dorsal and caudal fins are orange or chestnut. Head with a wide flattened forehead and large eyes. It grows up to 70 cm and weighs about 5-6 kg. The fish is omnivorous.
One of the few predators of the carp family. An adult reaches 80 cm in length and weighs up to 4 kg. The body is elongated with large and thick scales. The fish's belly is white, its sides are silver with a blue tint, and its back is blue-gray. It lives in fresh, flowing and clean water bodies in virtually every territory of Eurasia. Belongs to the commercial species of carp.
A small fish of the carp family, growing on average to 12-15 cm. The body is elongated with huge scales of dark gray color on top and bluish below. On the sides there are longitudinal stripes and bluish spots. It lives in rivers and lakes with clear water and sandy or rocky bottoms throughout most of Asia and Europe. Selects food of animal origin: insects and their larvae, mollusks, bottom invertebrates. Minnows are rarely regarded as a trophy, but are often used as live bait to catch predators.
A small fish from the carp family. The body is elongated, covered with silvery scales with a bluish stripe on the sides. Length - 4-5 cm, weight up to 7 g. Widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia, where it lives in rivers, quarries and small lakes. The fish feeds on the larvae of insects and bugs, and the eggs of other fish. It is not a commercial fish, but is often used as bait for catching perch.
It is a low-value industrial fish due to its low taste and bony meat. The body of the fish is oblong with a pronounced hump, flattened on the sides. The scales are enlarged silvery, the back is bluish-gray. It lives in fresh water bodies of Europe and Asia, the bottom of which is rich in silt or clay. The size reaches 35 cm and weight - up to 1.2 kg. It feeds on plants, mollusks, beetle and insect larvae. Belongs to the commercial species of carp.
Small beautiful aquarium fish. Length - 8-10 cm, although some species reach 35 cm. In its natural environment it lives in Africa, South and Southeast Asia. All types of barbs are characterized by a shiny color; many have transverse stripes. The fish are very energetic, unpretentious in the table of contents. The drawback in the table of contents with other types is that they are very pugnacious. The optimal temperature in an aquarium is 21-25 degrees and a volume of 100 liters or more. with moderate lighting and water changes of 20-30%. The fish are schooling, it is advisable to keep from 4 pieces. Barbs are omnivorous, feeding on both animal and plant food.
A small aquarium fish that lives in the upper layers of water. Body length reaches 4.5 cm. In nature, it lives in Southeast Asia. Depending on the species, the color of zebrafish varies. The fish can be blue, pink, yellow, etc. flowers with longitudinal stripes on the body. It is considered a cold-blooded fish, but it also feels charming in an aquarium with a temperature of 26 degrees.
Labeo
Another species of aquarium trustee of the carp family, whose homeland is the rivers and lakes of Thailand. Lives in the lower and middle layers of the aquarium. The body is oblong black with a red tail. It grows at home up to 12 cm, in nature it can grow up to 30 cm. They act as aquarium attendants.
- aquarium from 300 liters
- temperature 24-26 degrees
- good aeration, filtration and replacement 25%
There are no problems with nutrition: the fish eat dry, live food and substitutes well. Gets along with virtually all aquarium fish. The carp family is one of the particularly large families of fish on the planet. They are found in virtually any body of water and aquarium. Carp is the most famous, but by no means the most exclusive, species of fish from the carp family. There are more than 2 thousand species of cyprinids in the world, including aquarium species. They are common in Russia, Africa, Asia, North America and Europe. The habitat of this large family includes both tropical and temperate zones and even the Arctic Circle. The carp family includes fish of commercial value.
There are more than 2 thousand species in the carp family
Types of carp
River or wild carp
River carp is a domesticated relative of Carp. The color of the scales on top is dark brown with a golden tint, towards the middle the color acquires a golden-yellow tint, and on the belly the color becomes light. The carp's lips are quite large. There are 4 whiskers next to the lips, two on each side. The fin extends almost the entire length of the back. The eyes are golden in color, the lower fins are gray, and the rear fin is red-brown.
This type of carp lives in large and medium-sized rivers of Russia, Ukraine, middle and southern latitudes of Europe and Asia. They are very sensitive to temperature, so they can only live in rivers that do not flow into the northern seas of Russia. A large number of individuals can be found in the lower reaches of the Volga and Ural waters.
River carp spawns late compared to catfish or crucian carp. In autumn, carp lie on the bottom waiting for ice drift to begin. Until this moment, the carp is inactive. It usually becomes more active in March, in central Russia - closer to mid-April.
This species is the largest of all carp species. According to some data, by old age, carp can reach sizes of up to 1 meter and weigh up to 55 kg.
List of interesting facts:
- weight - up to 15 kg;
- the size of an adult is 35-55 cm;
- lifespan can reach 30 years.
General information
The carp family has a universal distinctive feature - the absence of teeth on the jaws. The teeth are located inside the pharynx on the pharyngeal bones. The process of absorption of food involves capturing food and pushing it inside, where grinding occurs. The oral cavity is mobile, the lips are flat and fleshy. Many individuals have one pair of antennae above the upper lip (in addition to the eight-whiskered gudgeon, it has 4). The swim bladder is very strong, contains 2, rarely 3 segments. The body is covered with large scales or completely naked, which is not so common. During spawning, the female lays eggs on flat stones or algae leaves. Eggs traditionally have a viscous, sticky structure with rare exceptions. Let's say that grass carp's future offspring drifts in a stream of water. The carp family is a commercial fish; even small species are popular among breeders and fishermen. About half of the famous species are bred in unnatural reservoirs for subsequent sale . These may include:
- carp;
- rudd;
- vobla;
- silver carp, etc.
Barbs are aquarium fish from the carp family. Decorative aquarium fish are no less popular. The history of their breeding lasts for more than a dozen years. It is known that the first mentions date back to the 1st century of our era. The selection was first carried out by Japanese experts, and after that by Chinese experts. The list of aquarium breeds includes:
- goldfish;
- brachydanio;
The sizes of natural inhabitants range from 6 to 300 cm in length. This spread is characterized by the diversity of carp fish species. But huge representatives (more than 80 cm) are not so common. Medium-sized species are especially common. The sizes mainly depend on the continent of habitat. Thus, North America is inhabited by small representatives, while in central Eurasia, huge fish with a length of about 20–150 cm dominate. The color can be different, clear greenish and golden shades are especially common. But selective species bred unnaturally amaze with their variety of colors. Colored representatives of the natural environment are found in the tropical zone.
Koi carp
Representative of the decorative breed of carp. The carp family has many subspecies. Bred from the Amur family by Japanese breeders. It is distinguished by good taste and unpretentiousness in content. Thanks to its color, the carp is a decoration in the ponds of private households and parks in Japan.
The color range of koi carp is varied, the following colors are found: orange, red, blue, black, white, and there may also be a shine to the scales due to a special gene.
Koi carp, as a relative of cyprinids, can reach large sizes - more than 100 cm in length. Koi can be up to 50 years old. It is not recommended to breed koi carp in an aquarium. In cramped aquarium conditions, the fish will not show their full potential in beauty and size.
Koi are relatively easy to keep and breed. The fish is unpretentious and omnivorous. It feeds on food of animal and plant origin. Food should be varied and rich in vitamins. The better the carp feeds, the brighter the body color can be.
Koi love warmth. Fish spawn in early summer. Reaches sexual maturity at 2 - 5 years.
Living conditions
Cyprinids are preferably freshwater species. True, there are some varieties that can tolerate the salt water of the Azov or Baltic Sea. And the Far Eastern rudd is able to live comfortably even in ocean waters. But of course all cyprinids go to fresh waters to spawn. Fish of this family are considered to be heat-loving , but some breeds adapt to climatic data; on the contrary, they would not be able to spread beyond the Arctic Circle. And on the territory of Russia, where winters are often severe, they would not be able to survive.
Fish of the carp family are considered to be heat-loving. The main condition for choosing a body of water for living is the presence of a large amount of food. Cyprinids are predators for the most part, which means they have a good appetite or even gluttony. Everything goes into the diet:
- small fish;
- insects;
- plants;
- cereals;
- larvae;
- crustaceans;
- various plankton.
The peak of gluttony occurs in the warm season. When the temperature drops sharply, the fish's appetite decreases. During the winter months, nutritional intensity drops to a minimum and returns to normal only with the arrival of spring.
Breeding
Breeders have bred a huge number of hybrids that are striking in their brightness and originality of color. But breeding is quite accessible even to a beginner in aquarium keeping.
The carp family successfully reproduces at home. Cases of independent crossing of different species living in the same “bank” are not uncommon.
Cyprinids are not the best parents; they do not care for the eggs and can be aggressive towards the fry. Therefore, to breed numerous offspring, it is best to use a spawning tank.
Water parameters do not differ from the main aquarium. The breeders should choose the brightest and most active fish, keep them separate for some time and feed them well.
It is better to line the bottom of the spawning tank with a lattice. Fry should be fed with live food (Cyclops, Daphnia). As juveniles mature, calibration may be necessary.
Varieties of freshwater fish
There are countless species of freshwater fish from the Carp family; approximately all representatives live in fresh water. But it is still possible to highlight a list of varieties that are especially popular.
Carps in nature
This group is of great interest to Russian fishermen and breeders. The fish meat is white, thick, not bony. Suitable for frying and baking, as well as drying and drying. There are three types:
The common features of carp are their huge size, similarity in appearance and omnivorousness. There is vigorous reproduction and fishing of fish, which often turns into poaching. There is vigorous combat with him, but not always successful.
The common characteristics of carp are their large size.
Other species in the common environment
Other species are also cyprinids and differ in external collations and territory of residence:
Fish come in different sizes, but all are subject to mass fishing. Some are allowed to ram, others? for bait. Some of them are bred in unnatural reservoirs due to their pronounced taste and health benefits.
Aquarium cyprinids
Breeders have managed to breed a lot of aquarium “carps”, which are also predators and have a distinct character. But their size is modest, and they hunt only for live food, less often for small neighbors:
Of course, there are many larger carp fish, but it is quite difficult to describe them all. The 15 species presented are famous among the Russian population and have the classic characteristics of the carp family.
Although cyprinids are considered the most common commercial fish, among them there are endangered species listed in the Red Book. Today there are 8 of them: black Amur bream, black carp, Russian bystryanka, small-scaled yellowfin, yellowcheek, Dnepropetrovsk barbel, carp, Azov-Black Sea shenaya. Half of them are in danger of extinction. Grayling (Thymallus thymallus) is a close relative of salmon and whitefish and lives only in the Northern Hemisphere. It inhabits clean, cold-water rivers and lakes, choosing reservoirs with pebble and rocky bottoms. It can form river, lacustrine-river and purely lacustrine forms.
Muksun
Muksun (Coregonus muksun) is one of the most expensive northern commercial fish of the whitefish family. Muksun lives in virtually all the large rivers of Siberia - Ob, Irtysh, Yenisei, Lena. Muksun reaches a length of 0.75 meters and a weight of up to 8 kg.
Chir
Whitefish (Coregonus nasus) belongs to the whitefish family of the order Salmonidae. Chir is one of the most common fish species in the Yenisei and Ob system. It lives mainly in and near the Arctic Circle. Chir, or as it is sometimes called shokur, has a rangy, fleshy, laterally compressed body.
Ide
The ide (Leuciscus idus) is a fish of the carp family. Distributed in water bodies of Europe and most of Siberia. The length of ide traditionally reaches 0.7 m, weight - 3-4 kg. In some reservoirs of Siberia, ides reach a weight of up to 8-9 kg. The color is gray-silver, darker on the back than on the belly.
crucian carp
Crucian carp (Carassius) is a genus of fish in the carp family. The dorsal fin is long, the pharyngeal teeth are single-rowed. There are two types of crucian carp - golden or common crucian carp (Carassius carassius) and silver crucian carp (Carassius auratus).
Dace
Dace (Leuciscus leuciscus) is a species of fish in the carp family. In appearance and manners, dace occupies a certain intermediate position between ide and roach. This is an oblong fish, laterally compressed, with medium-sized scales. In Siberia, exceptionally large dace “herrings” weighing 300 and even 400 grams are sometimes caught.
Ruff
Ruff (Gymnocephalus cernuus) is a species of fish from the perch family. This is a freshwater fish that lives in the waters of Europe and northern Asia (mostly in Siberia). The name of the ruff was given because it ruffles all its fins when it senses a threat.
Bream
Bream (Abramis brama) is a member of the bream genus from the carp fish family. It lives throughout Europe east of the Pyrenees and north of the Alps. In the 70s of the last century, it began to spread widely and now lives in approximately all regions of western Siberia.
Tench
Tench (Tinca Tinca) is a fish of the carp family. In Europe, this species is a fairly common representative of river and lake fauna. To the east of the Urals it is less common, but the border of the tench’s continuous range reaches the middle reaches of the Yenisei and its tributaries.
Burbot
Burbot (Lota lota) is an exceptional freshwater fish from the cod family. Distributed in rivers of Europe, Siberia, and North America. Reaches a size of up to 2 meters in length and a weight of 20-25 kg. The usual size is 500-700 grams.
Nelma
Nelma (Stenodus leucichthys nelma) is a fish of the salmon family, whitefish genus. Nelma is the largest representative of the whitefish, reaching a length of up to 1.5 m and weighing up to 50 kg. The average weight of nelma ranges from 5 to 10 kg.
Perch
Perch (lat. Perca) . Perch is one of the most common fish in our country and Siberia in particular. It inhabits rivers, lakes, ponds and estuaries flowing into the sea. In Siberia, perch is found everywhere up to the Lena basin in the east.
Sturgeon
Sturgeon (Acipenser) is a genus of fish in the sturgeon family. Inhabits the rivers of Siberia from the Ob to the Kolyma and further to Indigirka. A large number of sturgeon are found in the Ob basin - A. baeri and partly A. stenorhynchus; in the Yenisei basin the same two species.
Gudgeon
Gudgeon (Gobio gobio) . The Siberian gudgeon is a subspecies of the common gudgeon. It is found quite widely in Siberia, in addition to its northern parts. Reaches a length of 22 cm and a weight of 200 grams, but larger than 10-15 cm is rare. For a long time now, fishing tourism in Russia is as famous as in Europe. We invite you to get acquainted with the peculiarities of fishing tourism in Siberia, namely with such points as Some types of fish that live in Siberian lakes and rivers, as well as in which bodies of water which fish are found. Features of fishing in Siberia on free reservoirs. Nuances of fishing in different regions Siberia and much more.
naked carp
An artificially bred relative of the common carp. This species may have some scales on its back, near its fins and gills. There are individuals with a complete absence of scales. Loves bodies of water saturated with oxygen and warmth. The growth rate of naked carp is lower than that of mirror and scaly species.
The most common color is light brown. This type has some genetic characteristics that distinguish it from others.
It is more difficult for fish to grind food and obtain nutrients in a body of water due to fewer teeth. The growth rate of fish is noticeably lower than scaly fish. Another feature is a lower number of red blood cells and leukocytes. All this, coupled with the lack of scales, makes the fish more vulnerable to diseases and parasites.
Despite the difficulty of breeding, it is bred on farms in Europe and Russia. Many fishermen strive to catch this particular representative of carp-like fish.
Some interesting facts:
- the weight of individual individuals can exceed 55 kg;
- unlike scaly representatives, there is no ability to restore damaged areas around the fin;
- You can distinguish leather carp by its fin. The fin is two-part, with fewer bones.
Siberia is rich in fish...
Siberia represents one large box of skills about the history and wealth of the earth's bowels. One of the greatest riches of the Siberian region are lakes and rivers known throughout the country, surprising the viewer with their beauty and purity of water. Real expanse awaits lovers of fishing on the banks of rivers and lakes of Siberian land. Fishing tourism itself on Siberian soil can be described in one word: “wild”. And the term “wild” refers not only to the presence or absence of places of residence, and the unbreakable war with the mosquitoes present here, but this type of tourism does not have an obvious colorful negative connotation.
First of all, it should be noted that each Siberia surprises with the variety of climatic conditions and the abundant multi-colored beauty of nature. Siberian regions are often compared in size to entire European countries. Depending on its climatic and natural conditions, certain types of fish live throughout the entire region of Siberia. Since the beginning of the 70s, at the direction of the authorities, a number of fish were “introduced” into the Siberian rivers, which the local population only knew by hearsay:
- Carp.
- Silver carp.
- Zander.
- Carp.
Scaly (common) carp
This type of carp has a massive body. The process of mass growth lasts up to 8 years. In many photographs of fishermen with carp, this species can be immediately distinguished. This is a rather massive fish with large scales.
Loves warmth, prefers quiet, calm waters. It lives in lakes, standing reservoirs and rivers in the southern part of Russia, but can also live in cold rivers, all due to the fact that carp is unpretentious to living conditions and food. A distinctive feature of this type of carp is 2 whiskers in the upper part of the lip. The color of the scales is brown with a yellowish or golden tint; the belly becomes light in color. The color of the scales adapts depending on the body of water it inhabits.
List of interesting facts:
- weight - up to 41 kg. (World record weight 41.45 kg);
- size - length 30-55 cm;
- lifespan - up to 30 years.
The ease of keeping carp, the excellent taste of the meat, making it popular for growing for commercial purposes.
Getting to know the ichthyofauna of Siberian waters
One of the most common families of fish that live in the depths of water in Siberia is, of course, the grayling. He lives in all lakes and rivers of Siberia. Starting from the upper tributaries of the Ob, you can meet these fish in the Yenisei, on the Amur, and in the large waters of Lake Baikal. The recommended method of fishing for grayling in Siberia is fly fishing, but fishing with an ordinary fishing rod or spinning rod is acceptable. In most cases, grayling is caught using a fly. Specialist fishermen advise fishing in: Shallow areas of rivers. right behind the stones that make up the river rapids, standing against the current. Close to fallen trees in the water.
A riffle located not far from the main channel. Large rolling stones creating large spaces. It is also, according to experienced anglers, a beautiful fishing spot. When fishing with spinners or spinners, anglers, as usual, use light baits, but large representatives of grayling also bite on heavy baits. “Muksun” is another representative of commercial and expensive fish living in the rivers of Siberia, growing up to a meter, the average weight of which reaches 2 kg. A fish weighing 4-5 kg is considered a huge specimen. The local inhabitants triumphantly exchange this fish for salmon weighing 16 kilograms.
This fish is a semi-anadromous species that migrates high upstream to spawn. “Muksun”, depending on the time of year, feeds on mollusks in the summer and diverse plankton in the winter. Inhabits all rivers and lakes of Siberia. Muksun is a very nutritious and thick fish, which is especially valued among the natives; due to its fat, it survives in the cold winter. It is also possible to get whitefish, ide, and crucian carp as fishing trophies, and crucian carp is found among fishing prizes in the water system of the Yenisei and Ob rivers. The habitat of the broad whitefish is the territory of rivers located beyond the Arctic Circle or near it.
The methods of catching whitefish are similar to muksun - with nets, but whitefish easily bite both with a fishing rod and spinning rod when fishing in Eastern Siberia and other regions. Various larvae or adult insects are suitable as bait; the meat of various mollusks is also easy to use as bait. Reaching half a meter in length and having a mass of 3 kg, ide is approximately indistinguishable from roach, and the difference in smoked form can only be seen by experienced fishermen. Help for lovers of fishing tourism in the taiga Siberian waters Fishing in the taiga in Siberia promises fishermen a rich catch of such species of fish as:
- Taiga perch.
- Pike.
Ide is found in all depths of Siberia to the Yakut lakes and rivers. It usually grows up to 50 cm and weighs about 3 kg. The lifespan of fish is 20 years, they are caught with ordinary gear, using bread as bait; maggot is also wonderfully suitable for these purposes, as are bloodworms or bran. The perch of these waters, like any predator that hunts here, takes bait of animal origin (a worm or live bait fishing will help catch these fish). Taiga perch grows up to 40 cm and reaches 2-3 kg in weight. It is a very voracious predator. Often used by fishermen as a core fish in the ear. Smoked, fried and dried fish are very often found on the tables of local residents.
Mirror carp
A type of artificially bred carp. First appeared in European countries. Today it can be found in the rivers of Siberia and southern Russia. This type of carp, like most cyprinids, loves warm waters saturated with oxygen.
Visually, the carp is distinguished by sparse scales that cover only part of the body. The head is fleshy. The color of the scales depends on the body of water it inhabits; the most common color is golden, less often silver, and brown.
Mirror carp is more demanding of its habitat. He needs a lot of oxygen. Prefers to be at shallow depths of the reservoir in warm areas. Fish spawns in May-June. Mirror leads a gregarious lifestyle. Individuals reaching more than 5 kg often live in solitude.
The sizes of individuals reach impressive sizes. On average, the length is from 30 to 100 cm. Weight varies on average from 0.5 to 20 kg.
Fishing “hunt” on small rivers of Siberia
Fishing on the small rivers of Siberia will bring a rich catch immediately with the start of ice drift; it is impossible to say that this is an absolutely harmless type of fishing. Nevertheless, with the beginning of ice drift, the number of unfortunate cases occurring within the boundaries of the process increases sharply. But, as a result, you can get such copies as:
- Dace.
- Pike.
- White amur.
- Sterlet.
- Taimen.
This type of tourism is objectively very famous, at the same time, more and more lovers of this pastime are choosing not to pay tour operators, but to negotiate independently regarding helicopter delivery to an exciting place, saving significant amounts and budgets, especially since fishing in Siberia is free - this is absolutely real!
Instead of an afterword!
Try it, discover comfortable fishing methods, and let fishing never disappoint you, however, if we are talking about Siberia, then such an option for the development of events is primitively unthinkable! The endless expanses of the water surface of Siberia will always be happy to welcome all fishing enthusiasts and specialists to its shores, try their hand at competitions and treat themselves to the most fragrant dishes prepared from fish and Siberian game!
Muksun has not only an unforgettable taste, but also a unique smell, unusual for fish. All this is due to the unique chemical composition of meat. It is a unique source of energy for athletes and can be consumed even by people with kidney problems. Muksun has not only an unforgettable taste, but also a unique smell, unusual for fish. The rich salmon family contains a lot of expensive fish species. One of them is muksun, which belongs to the whitefish family and is most valued among its relatives.
The fish has a spindle-shaped appearance: the body is elongated, with flat sides. The body color is uneven: the back is darker, the sides have silvery tints, and the belly is a particularly clear part.
The tail and head are slightly raised; in adults, the hump is clearly visible. The head has a blunt shape, the mouth is located at the bottom, equipped with a protruding lower jaw. The average weight of a valuable whitefish attorney ranges from 1 to 2 kg. Individuals weighing 3-4 kg are considered huge, and some specimens can grow up to 12 kg. The average body length is 75 cm. Life span ranges from 16 to 25 years.
The diet of muksun is varied, but seasonal. In warm seasons, valuable waterfowl feed on mollusks, underwater midges, fry, larvae, eggs and crustaceans, which are abundant on the coastal bottom. A special mouth unit helps the fish lift food from the bottom. In winter, when there is a shortage of large crustaceans, small but nutritious zooplankton are used as food. The fish filters such microscopic food with its gills. The ichthyofauna of northern waters is proud of such representatives as whitefish, nelma and muksun. All of these unique and expensive breeds are distinguished by their tender, thick meat and stunning taste. They belong to the same families and genera, and therefore are externally similar. Muksun and nelma differ in size: nelma is the largest relative of whitefish, reaching a length of up to 1.5 m. In muksun, the body rises steeply above the head, and in nelma, the head more smoothly turns into the carcass. Like many northern inhabitants, muksun has a lot of fat. But this fat is very useful and easily digestible. Whitefish meat includes a lot of healthy amino acids, unsaturated fats and microelements. The delicacy contains bromine, copper, zinc, chromium, molybdenum, nickel, fluorine, vitamin PP and arachidonic acid. Amazingly, this fish has a delicate smell of fresh cucumber. This strange smell is due to the presence of specific proteins.
The meat of the trusted whitefish includes a lot of healthy amino acids, unsaturated fats and microelements
Interesting Facts
- It is quite difficult to calculate when the first representative of the carp family appeared. However, some remains of fish of this species date back to the Eocene era. That is, the “ancestors” of carp lived already 50-60 million years ago, when the first appearances of oil, gas and coal appeared on Earth.
- Cyprinids spawn mainly in fresh water. However, some species can breed in water areas with high salt content.
Asp is a predator of the carp family
- One of the most predatory representatives of cyprinids is the asp. This fish loves to feast on bleak, gudgeon and fry. Moreover, the asp hunts for its prey in a very unusual way. He does this alone. As a rule, it slowly creeps up to a flock and bursts into its middle at high speed, trying to stun several individuals with its tail at once.
- Most cyprinids not only like to look for food in silt deposits, but can also hide there, finding shelter during the action of unfavorable factors (lack of oxygen, freezing, deterioration of the food supply, etc.). Moreover, the carp is capable of burrowing deeper into the mud than anyone else. It will not be difficult for him to hide in silt deposits to a depth of 12 cm.
From the video you will learn about the features of fishing for carp:
Gallery: muksun fish (25 photos)
Muksun habitats
Muksun is a freshwater fish of the north. It’s true that she lives in the ocean, but she doesn’t swim far from the shore. The love for unsalted water determines those places where delicious fish are found. It lives in the Arctic Ocean, sticking to desalinated areas near the confluence of rivers. Selects the largest Siberian rivers: Lena, Yenisei, Ob, Irtysh, Kolyma, Kara. It can also live in fresh northern lakes. The lake variety has a golden hue.
Like many northern inhabitants, muksun has a lot of fat. In the ocean, muksun accumulates fat and strength, and swims into rivers to spawn. Semi-anadromous fish migrate far upstream of the rivers in whose deltas they live. The dear whitefish begin to move to spawn in the spring, when the ice has completely disappeared from the rivers. But it reaches the spawning grounds only in the fall. Spawning begins in September, when the first ice appears on the northern rivers. Spawning ends in November, when the water temperature drops sharply. After spawning, the fish return to their usual habitats to fatten and accumulate strength. The fish lays eggs in places where rivers ripple, and the bottom is made of pebbles. During one spawning, the female lays from 40 to 60 thousand eggs. The number of eggs depends on the size of the animal. Muksun does not spawn every year, but does so once every 4-5 years. The eggs laid on the bottom mature for about six months. The fry hatch in mid-spring and migrate down the river.
Amursky
A herbivorous relative of the carp, it belongs to the class of ray-finned fish. Also called grass cupid. Amur carp comes from East Asian reservoirs. It was present in the lower reaches of the Amur, Chinese and Vietnamese rivers. Today it can be found in the waters of Europe, Sakhalin, and North America.
Amur carp loves water bodies with rich vegetation. This species adapts to low temperatures down to 0 C. Comfortable water for carp is about 25 - 30 degrees. Leads a gregarious lifestyle. It leaves for the winter when the water temperature does not exceed 8-10 C. In winter it stops searching for food and falls asleep, gathering in large flocks in bottom holes and depressions. During hibernation, a special mucus is produced that warms the fish in a state of suspended animation.
Interesting Facts:
- It is a water bottom cleaner and eats a lot of grass and algae from the bottom. Can eat up to 3 kg of grass per day;
- meat and liver are rich in vitamins. Dietary meat is very useful for those who eat healthy.
How to catch a northern delicacy
The main fishing begins in winter, when the fish finish spawning. In those places in Siberia where the population of valuable waterfowl is limited or rapidly declining, fishing for muksun is prohibited. Where permitted, it is caught on an industrial scale using nets. For such fishing you need a special permit and license. Occasionally, catches reach several thousand tons.
Therefore, muksun is considered one of the main and most expensive commercial fish in the northern waters of Siberia.
In winter, sport fishing is permitted by law. For solo fishing, it is better to use fishing rods with a fly bait. The fish feeds on small crustaceans and aquatic insects, so the bait should imitate natural food. It's okay if the bait turns out to be more colorful and shiny than the original - the fish like it. It is recommended that the colors of the bait be warm colors: scarlet, yellow, orange.
It is better to use several baits at once that differ from each other in appearance. This is due to the fact that at different times of the year, waterfowl have different food preferences. Also, in different geographical places, fish can also have their own gastronomic preferences. For maximum results, experienced fishermen recommend soaking the bait in anise oil. Northern fish choose to feed in the early morning and late evening. Therefore, it is preferable to go fishing at dusk. In summer, northern whitefish can be attracted by a collection of midges. To do this, in the dark, you need to turn on a shiny lantern over the water, the light of which will attract insects. When fishing with a fishing rod, it is better not to use a float - the fish do not like it and can break the fishing line.
