Congrio fish: description and whether it eats shrimp, habitat and way of life
There are many different types of fish in world cuisine, and one of the most unusual is congrio. This exotic fish has not only an interesting appearance, but also taste qualities that are valued in cooking. Congrio is known for its meat, rich in protein and fatty acids, which make it good for the human body. Consider the features of congrio fish, its benefits, and also offer simple recipes for cooking this unusual fish.
What kind of fish is this
Kongrio, or shrimp fish, is quite large, reaches a meter in length and weighs about twenty kilograms.e skin is smooth, reddish-pink, scales are not too noticeable. The whole body is covered with mucus. The body shape is elongated with a noticeable dorsal fin. As a predator, it consumes other aquatic life forms and has strong jaws resembling that of a catfish. The eyes of the fish are small compared to the size of the mouth.
Interestingly, there are ancient legends that tell of warriors eating kongrio before battle to gain strength and good luck.
The retina of the eye has evolved to perceive a wider range of colors, while being brighter than other fish species. Its eyes are designed in such a way that they are able to detect even the faintest glimpses of light at the dark depths that the fish can reach - up to one kilometer. This allows the congrio to navigate freely even at extreme depths.
Habitat
Kongrio is found near the Australian continent, New Zealand and in South American waters, especially along the coastlines of Chile and Brazil.In addition, South Africa is a popular habitat for this fish. This description suggests that the congrio prefers the warm waters of the southern hemisphere; however, she was sometimes met on the coast of Japan, but in much smaller numbers.
The fish lives at medium depth - from a few meters to about one kilometer. This gives her the opportunity to diversify her diet and elude predators. This fish is attracted to aggregations of shrimp found in both Pacific and Atlantic waters.
Fun fact! New Zealand fishermen have a custom that they follow before setting off to catch congrio. It is believed that if at dawn you shout towards the sea with a call to this fish, then it will rise from the ocean depths and will definitely come to the one who called it.
Features of life
Congrio's unusual breeding ability gives her the ability to populate a wide range, and her predatory skills allow her to live in any habitat. These are pluses that compensate for the slow growth and development of the congrio. During their life, these fish are able to grow up to two meters in length. This makes them a formidable fish with a unique way of surviving.
Congrio mainly feeds on mollusks and crustaceans, with king prawns being the most popular, which affects the taste of meat. However, this fish is a predator that consumes a large number of small and medium-sized fish.
It is easy to meet at shallow depths and in dense water environments, which provides more opportunities for successful hunting. Congrio looks for places with an abundance of shrimp, such as tiger or king shrimp, but is able to devour everything in sight.
The congrio's mucous membrane allows it to squeeze into the narrowest cracks and crevices of the ocean floor, helping in the search for food and protection from large predatory fish.Small clams and crustaceans try to hide in these places, but they have no chance to escape from such an extra cool hunter as congrio.
Kongrio stands out for its long lifespan among underwater fish, which reaches thirty years under favorable conditions. This is mainly due to the small number of predators that hunt it, the abundance of high-calorie food in its habitat and some physical features of the species.
Do fish have enemies
The congrio's body is covered with a layer of black-gray slime, which gives the fish great maneuverability in the depths of the ocean, as well as the ability to suddenly change its course when necessary. Its speed and agility in the water column can't match that of a tuna, but it's by no means slow.
After all, having long lifespans means that all such creatures must develop their own ways and strategies to survive in an environment hostile to long-lived species like congrio.When threatened, they are able to hide in rocky crevices. This tactic is effective against large fish, but not against octopuses. The latter delicately and scrupulously explore rocky surfaces, “scooping out” prey. But in order to cope with the congrio, the octopus must be large, with a significant body weight.
But in any case, the only prey he will be able to catch are immature small congrios that have just hatched and settled on the bottom, since larger and he althier specimens will not fit in the mouth of an octopus, besides, they have enough strength to run away.
Views of Congrio
If you look at the images of the congrio, it will seem that she is a relative of the eel, but in fact it is not. Despite the fact that their fins are similar, the congrio does not have such a flexible and sinuous body. Moreover, these two species of fish belong to completely different categories and practically do not have common classification characteristics.
Kongrio belongs to the family Ophidiidae, which is known for their lack of complete or indistinct pelvic fins. In such fish, the tail and dorsal-ventral fin usually form a continuous arc. This family consists of four genera, which include fifty genera and two hundred and fifty eight species. The most popular Congrios are black, red and gold. They differ in body color, as well as some features related to their fins or physical parameters.
Black Congrio is the most popular look. Red is larger, lives longer and grows to an impressive size, much larger than other brethren. Their habitat and behavior also differ.
However, all congrios share a common fin shape that allows them to move in waves and also help them navigate the depths of oceans and seas with ease.
The fin originates in the back area, continues to the tail and reaches the area of the place on the stomach, thanks to which the female congrios carry out spawning activities. The shape of the jaws allows the fish to consume a large amount of food, almost like a living machine, which contributes to the rapid growth of individuals. The development process and feeding behavior are similar to those of the catfish, however there is a significant difference, since the congrios, as a rule, do not rise to the water surface, as catfish do.
Reproduction
Males tend to be slightly larger than females and more brightly colored. During the mating season, congrios look for each other, and males begin to attract the attention of females in order to be noticed. This usually occurs in places where nutritious food sources are concentrated, such as near a flock of tiger shrimp. Congrio become sexually mature at the age of one year, but they are able to start breeding earlier.
Eggs are laid in the ocean where they drift away from their original location and move with the current.This is why this particular species has such a wide range of habitats. After two months, after a leisurely and even process of development of a fertilized egg, a fully formed new representative of the species hatches. The number of fertilized eggs is quite large, which allows this species of fish not only to survive, but also to grow in the population, despite the specific features and preferences in the behavior of congrio.
Useful and harmful properties
Fish contains he althy fats and proteins that stimulate muscle development. Therefore, if you focus on the consumption of congrio, then the likelihood of weight gain will increase. Notably, this product is used as a way to prevent cancer.
Fish meat, in addition to its delicious taste, also has valuable nutritional properties that have a beneficial effect on human he alth.100 grams of filet contains about 120 calories and 23 grams of protein, as well as B vitamins, including vitamin B12 and niacin, as well as vitamin D. In addition, it has micronutrients such as iron, zinc and selenium.
Eating congrio will help in the fight against diseases. Thus, the presence of vitamin B12 will help in maintaining a he althy nervous system and reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. In addition, fish contains low-fat proteins, making it ideal for those who are watching their weight and he alth.
Regular consumption of congrio will have a positive effect on human he alth. However, for this it is worth making sure that the fish used is of high quality. Eating congrio reduces the risk of developing diabetes, aids in the production of stomach acid, improves liver function and enhances mental performance.
Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionRegular consumption of fish reduces the risk of stroke, Alzheimer's disease and depression. In addition, seafood has been seen to improve mood and reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.However, there is another side of the coin. Shrimp fish can cause an allergic reaction in the body, as it is found in different areas, and our body is sometimes not able to cope with new food. Therefore, it is recommended to try shrimp fish in small quantities to determine if there will be a negative reaction or not.
On top of that, nutritionists generally don't recommend this seafood because of its high protein content. Those with medical contraindications should seek medical advice before consuming shrimp fish.
The consequences of eating congrio depend on the amount of meat consumed. It is not recommended to eat too much, as it will adversely affect he alth. Moderate consumption of fish will have a positive effect on overall well-being.
The quality of fish is directly related to its potential harm. It is generally believed that those specimens that are caught in their natural habitat are of the highest quality, but even this does not guarantee the safety of the product. Often, producers do not isolate unhe althy fish from he althy ones, and some grow them in an artificial environment with chemical additives so that they grow faster for sale.
Cooking recipes
The congrio fish is known for its lack of bones; all that needs to be done is to remove the spinal column from the body to get the fillet. Fish meat is tender and nutritious, with a light pink tint, full of proteins and contains almost no fats and carbohydrates. It is prepared in several ways, such as fried, boiled, stewed or baked. Every chef has their own method when it comes to cooking this type of fish.
The most popular cooking recipe specifies that pre-cooked meat is cut into pieces, placed in a baking dish, seasoned with s alt and pepper, and then baked along with vegetable mixture and cream sauce.At a temperature of 200 degrees for half an hour, the meat is cooked. At the same time, the vegetables used in the dish vary depending on preferences. But traditionally onions, carrots and either tomatoes or tomato paste are used.
Interesting facts
Kongrio is often found in the cuisine of many peoples and cultures. In Japan, it was used by samurai to help themselves quickly regain strength and vitality, and now this aquatic inhabitant is widely known as an ingredient in sashimi.
P.Neruda, the famous Chilean diplomat and poet, composed a funny and comical ode to congrio fish broth. He depicted in detail the features of the fish and its delicious taste in this dish. His work became a hit among the people, thanks to which the name of Pablo remained imprinted in the memory of the Chileans. Other literary works also mentioned this fish, but it was Neruda's work that resonated with readers.
