Fish Goby: a description of what it looks like and what it eats, lifestyle and the benefits of meat
Goby is a popular fish among the inhabitants of the southern sea coasts and rivers of Russia. It is used to prepare nutritious meals, and it is also in great demand in industrial fisheries. The meat of this fish contains a lot of vitamins and minerals that are important for good he alth. Each region of Russia boasts different types of gobies, which have their own unique characteristics.
Description of the fish
Goby is a member of the perch family, part of the group of ray-finned fish. Its body is conical in shape, gradually tapering towards the tail. Its most characteristic feature is a large head with a wide forehead and large eyes.
The body length of this river inhabitant varies from five to fifty centimeters. They have a large head, which is larger than their body, and small, closely spaced scales. In addition, they have two long fins on their backs and a suction cup under their belly, with which they cling to rocks or other objects.
Bull-calves are adored in seaside settlements. These fish have a calm and unhurried character, often hiding near rocks and algae. In addition, they like to dig in the mud on the seabed, their makeshift burrows are occupied by one pair of gobies, or by a whole group.
When the weather is bad and the temperature changes dramatically, the fish become inactive. Usually they swim away from the shore and go into deep waters. These fish do not migrate when the seasons change.
A goby eats a wide variety of foods, including small fish, fry, mollusks, crustaceans and worms. He is very gluttonous and spends a lot of time looking for food.
Reproduction
The breeding process of this marine fish is amazing. The spawning period begins in March and continues until the end of summer. Having reached puberty, males create a nest in a secluded place and lure females there. As part of the courtship ritual, the male makes deep growling and chomping sounds that cause several females to come to the nest at once.
They lay eggs that are attached to the rocks inside the nest, and after that only the males stay with them to ensure their survival, constantly moving their fins so that the water around the future offspring does not stagnate.
Habitat
Gobies inhabit coastal waters, living on the seabed. They are often found in seagrass beds and under rocks, burrowing into the sand for protection. To securely hold on to rocks during turbulent weather, these fish use a specialized sucker located on the abdomen.Gobies are sedentary, leaving the coastline only in winter when they migrate further into the depths of the seas.
Goby does not tolerate low temperatures and is usually found in the Black and Azov Seas, as well as the Caspian and Mediterranean waters. There are species that live in freshwater environments such as rivers, tributaries, and lakes. The goby is also caught in the rivers, which indicates that it does not belong exclusively to marine fish.
The ability of gobies to merge with the environment protects them from predators such as zander, sturgeon, pike. Even large "relatives" are able to eat goby fish, for example, throatfish, who are happy to hunt fry. In addition to threats from aquatic life, there is also danger from terrestrial predators such as herons, snakes and humans who love to consume gobies.
How long does a goby live
These funny looking fish have a relatively short lifespan, typically three to five years.This short lifespan, combined with their commercial value to fishermen, puts the species at risk. The only thing that helps keep their population stable is a high reproductive rate.
Popular species
Gobies are divided into about one and a half thousand varieties. Some of them are very old, preserved from ancient times. They are able to live both in rivers and in the ocean. About twenty-five species of gobies live in the Black Sea waters. The most popular among them:
- Gorlach (another name is shirman). Their body is gray, with blue specks on the sides and striped fins.
- Babka (or bighead) is a fish with a somewhat flat head and a large mouth, and its coloration is brown with dark and red spots.
- Martovik is a large fish that reaches a size of seventy centimeters and weighs up to one and a half kilograms. It has a large head and wide gills. It feeds on shellfish and small fish.
- Sandpiper is a medium-sized fish, the length of which reaches twenty centimeters, and the weight usually ranges from 0.2 to 0.35 kg. Its scales are pale yellow with faded spots on it, and its fins are translucent. It is difficult to see this goby in photographs, as it perfectly blends into the sandy bottom.
- Kruglyak - is found both in the Azov and Black Sea waters and is distinguished by a dark, almost black color. It lives in both fresh and s alt water environments on the bottom, consisting of sand or stone.
At first, the goby seems to be a rather unremarkable fish. Its coloration is modest, and it does not differ in large size. However, in other parts of the world there are other types of gobies that stand out in bright colors - from orange to blue.These species inhabit tropical regions and grow to large sizes.
Goby fish and rotan have common external signs, but they are easy to distinguish by the shape and size of the head. The head of the rotan occupies most of its body, while the head of the goby seems smaller in comparison. In addition, the shapes of their bodies are different: in rotan it is rather flat, while in gobies it is more voluminous and flattens only in the tail area.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionFinally, their pelvic fins also differ. In rotans, they are much smaller, but thicker. They use them to move along the bottom. But the gobies have suckers in this area.Useful and harmful properties
Eating gobies is good for humans. The meat of this fish provides the body with essential vitamins, minerals, protein and fatty acids.It is especially heart-he althy due to its magnesium and fatty acid content, which increase heart muscle strength and improve cardiovascular he alth. In addition, the substances contained in calf meat help to reduce excessive levels of bad cholesterol.
The nutrients in meat improve cognitive performance and strengthen intellectual abilities. Fatty acids "work" to give the hair a he althy and shiny look. In addition, the fillet contains antioxidants that protect against cancer.
Goby is a safe type of fish that is allowed to be consumed without the risk of negative consequences. However, those who have an individual intolerance to fish and seafood should not eat it. People with fish allergies should also avoid eating it.
Eating dried or cured steers can be dangerous. The fact is that during the drying process, a thin airtight membrane is formed, which traps bacteria in the meat that produce botulinum toxin. It is a powerful neurotoxin, deadly if ingested.
Fishing
The most ideal season for goby fishing is autumn. In winter, it dives deep and hardly moves, so it is easier to catch it in autumn when it is active and not so wary. Fishing will be especially successful at night, in September and October, when the appetite of these fish is especially strong.
Fishing will not succeed in periods of calm and storm. It is recommended to go fishing in cloudy or rainy weather, as the fish stay closer to land during these periods.
