Blue catfish: a description of the fish and how it is useful, where it is found and how it looks

Recently, blue catfish can be seen more and more often on store shelves. This fish is becoming more and more popular in our country, but not everyone is at risk of acquiring it because of the unusual name. This is a large marine fish with an amazing taste and unique meat texture. Catfish are widely distributed in the cold sea waters of the Northern Hemisphere and are of great interest to anglers and fish product manufacturers.

What kind of fish is this

The blue catfish is the most commonly caught and traded species. It is related to the perch but is a member of its own family, the catfish.

As for the catfish fillet, it is in great demand due to the lack of bones and sweetish taste, as well as juiciness and fat content. The pulp itself has a characteristic white tint.

Dimensions and appearance

Unlike the striped variety, the color of this representative can vary from gray to blue and even brown. It lives at depths of up to one and a half kilometers in the northern waters of the Atlantic, as well as in the seas of the Arctic Ocean.

Outstanding specimens of this fish can reach two meters in length and weigh up to 30 kilograms. At the age of 5, she begins the process of spawning, although her spawning grounds are still unknown. In addition, she is monogamous throughout her life, which is 14 years; she bonds with one partner for life.

Where the fish are found

The blue catfish is found in North Atlantic and Arctic Ocean waters, especially along the Russian Far East coastline.The most popular commercial fishery for this species occurs off the Atlantic coast of Canada, as well as in the countries of Northern Europe. Russia catches catfish in the Barents Sea.

What makes the blue catfish different from others

Catfish can be divided into five types, and blue (also known as blue) is just one of them. Each species has its own characteristics, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with them before buying in a store.

The blue catfish is easily recognizable by its characteristic blue color, which distinguishes it from the spotted variety.

Spotted catfish, also called spotted catfish, are striped at birth, but as they mature, these stripes become speckled. This particular species can be found in North Atlantic waters near Alaska in waters that are about half a kilometer deep off the coastline. These fish have large protruding jaws and teeth, which makes them look intimidating, and the body length is more than 1 meter and weighs about 28-32 kilograms.

Far Eastern and eel catfish are not usually eaten; these species are used mainly for their skin, not their meat, by some small northern peoples.

Interestingly, the blue catfish is usually caught in trawler catches only when its length is at least 50-80 cm, which indicates that the fish lives for a long time - seven years or more, depending on the habitat.

Pinned and blue catfish are similar in appearance in that they both have an elongated body, a wide mouth and creepy protruding teeth. In addition, both species have a large head with a powerful jaw used to open mollusks. Their habitats overlap, as they both live in the northern part of the waters of the Atlantic. Their diet is also similar, as it consists of jellyfish, molluscs, crustaceans, seahorses, and other echinoderms.

Their lifestyle and behavior is also very similar as they prefer a solitary lifestyle. A distinctive feature of all catfish is that all their teeth are replaced every year, even regardless of their degree of wear.

From the point of view of nutritional value, these two varieties are also the same, their meat is white without bones, with a slightly sweet taste.

Fish nutritional value

Meat of blue catfish, like other types of fish, is a valuable source of protein and other useful substances. It is rich in trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. In addition, catfish meat contains vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, which have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and help lower blood cholesterol levels. However, it is worth remembering that the energy value of catfish meat depends on the cooking method and serving size.

Blue catfish meat has a relatively low energy value compared to land dwellers - 120-130 kcal, but it is important to note that this is a high number compared to other types of seafood.This is due to the high fat content: 100 grams contain 4.9-5.6 grams of fat. 100 grams of fillet contains more than 17 grams of protein.

Useful and harmful properties

Blue catfish is a he althy food source due to its wide range of vitamins and minerals. This fish is an excellent source of protein, because only 300 grams can satisfy the daily requirement of a person.

Blue catfish meat contains a number of useful vitamins and substances, including:

Protein: 18g (36% DV for an adult).
Fat: 1.5g
Vitamin B12: 11.9mcg (198%).
Selenium: 61.6 mcg (111%).
Phosphorus: 276mg (28%).
Niacin: 4.7mg (24%).
Riboflavin: 0.2mg (12%).
Vitamin D: 0.1mcg (2%).

These vitamins and substances not only contribute to a he althy diet, but also improve the immune system, strengthen eyesight and support he althy bones and muscles.However, keep in mind that the percentage of the daily value may differ depending on the age, gender and physical activity of the person.

The he alth benefits of blue catfish are evident in its nutrient-rich composition, with positive reviews indicating a high-calorie diet and nutritional value. This fish is especially useful for those who are recovering from serious illnesses or operations, as well as for athletes who want to quickly gain muscle mass.

In addition, there are certain medical conditions in which it is recommended to regularly eat blue catfish. For example, a high iodine content is helpful in treating thyroid problems. In general, a variety of vitamins and minerals contained in this inhabitant of the deep sea improve vision and heal wounds on the skin, as well as prevent the development of atherosclerosis and help remove excess cholesterol from the body, thereby helping to prevent possible heart problems.

Catfish meat can be prepared in many ways, it is combined with many ingredients. This means that someone who wants to make catfish a regular part of their diet will not feel restricted in eating as they can enjoy delicious and varied food while getting the essential nutrients their body needs.

So even those who usually don't have good self-control and tend to choose unhe althy foods over he althy options can still stick to a nutritionist's advice.

Blue catfish meat, like any other product, is not always useful, and in some cases even harmful. For example, if you are allergic to catfish (or to seafood in general), then it is not recommended to consume such a product, despite the potential benefits that have already been mentioned.

In some cases, this fish can be harmful to he alth.Too much iodine in the body from fish high in this mineral should be avoided altogether, and catfish is no exception. In other cases, the danger is not the fish itself, but dishes from it, as some people with digestive problems cannot tolerate fried, spicy or s alty foods. It is clear that catfish is not prohibited in such situations, but it should still be steamed or boiled.

Recently, there has been a surge in the activity of people advocating a reduction in seafood consumption. Their reasoning is that due to insufficient efforts to reduce waste dumped into the world's oceans, fish live in polluted waters and absorb toxins into their bodies, which, when eaten, are transmitted to humans.

Expert opinionZarechny Maxim ValerievichAgronomist with 12 years of experience. Our best gardening expert.Ask a QuestionDespite the disadvantages of artificial rearing of fish, it should be noted that blue catfish, which were previously not caught in nature at all, are not yet bred on farms. Thus, consumers have no choice between wild and farm-raised fish.

It is also worth noting that catfish has a short shelf life. Frozen fish will last two months, while fresh catch will only be edible for one day. Therefore, when choosing fish in a store, one must be extremely careful, since there is always a potential risk that it has deteriorated while it was on display.

When it comes to steaks or any other pre-cut meat, it's a good idea to choose foods that have a clear expiration date. You can determine the degree of freshness of a whole fillet - fresh specimens have a white tint, not gray. When buying a whole carcass, try to get one whose head is still intact, since the eyes are an indicator of freshness; if they are not cloudy, then the fish is in good condition. On the other hand, if the carcass has already been decapitated, this may be an attempt to hide its staleness.

It's important to note that frozen fish also goes bad. In fact, freezing and then defrosting the product is allowed only once, since during this process the texture of the meat is destroyed. There is a good chance that the catfish went bad during thawing.

Detecting this one is easy - if the catfish was repeatedly frozen, then pieces of ice are visible inside, but if the carcass was processed by the correct method, it will look like a piece of ice floe.

How to cook catfish

Blue catfish may not be a well-known delicacy, but it can be prepared in a variety of ways that will look appealing and taste good. Common cooking methods include pan frying, grilling, slow cooker, pot simmering, or steaming.

Fried steak

Breaded Catfish Fish Steak is a great way to prepare this tasty and nutritious fish. Here is a simple recipe that can be cooked in a pan.

Ingredients:

Catfish fillet – 2 pcs
Eggs – 2 pcs
Breadcrumbs – 1 cup.
Vegetable oil - for frying.
S alt to taste.
Black pepper to taste.

Instructions:

Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them with a fork.
Pour breadcrumbs into another bowl.
Spread each piece of fish with s alt and black pepper.
Dip each piece of fish in eggs and then in breadcrumbs to coat on all sides.
Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add vegetable oil.
Put the fish pieces in the pan and fry them for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Baked catfish with potatoes

Cheese potato and catfish is a great combination that can be easily cooked in the oven. Here is a recipe that will be a great choice for dinner or lunch.