River fish: a list of 39 predatory and herbivorous representatives, description
River fish include an amazing variety of living organisms that live in fresh water. It is not only an important source of food for humans and other animals, but also plays a significant role in the balance of ecosystems. There are a huge number of species of river fish in the world, from small carps to giant catfish and pikes. Moreover, each species has its own unique features.
Bream
Bream is a freshwater representative of cyprinids, common in Europe and Asia. It has an elongated gray-green body with a silvery sheen, covered with large scales.It mainly reaches a length of up to 70 cm and a weight of approximately 3 kg. The maximum registered weight is 25 kg. The average life expectancy is about 20 years. Active in spring and autumn, spawning occurs from May to July, spends the winter in hibernation at the bottom of reservoirs. The meat is white, delicate and has a sweet taste, considered one of the most delicious among freshwater fish.
Guster
A small and sedentary representative of the perch. The color is greenish-yellow with a silvery belly. The average body length is about 25 cm, although sometimes they reach a length of up to 35 cm. Life expectancy is usually about 10 years. It weighs from 700 to 1200 grams, depending on age and living conditions. It lives in the rivers and lakes of Europe, from northern Spain to the Urals. It spawns in spring, when the water warms up to 8-12 degrees, for this it gathers in flocks. The meat has a slight sweetness, but is too bony. In the diet - fry, insects.
Sazan
Freshwater representative of cyprinids. But it is also found in the Caspian Sea. It has a long body with golden brown scales and large scales. The body length reaches 1 meter, and weight - an average of 4 kg. Average life expectancy is 15-20 years.
Spawns in the spring, when the water warms up to 18-20 degrees Celsius. The diet is dominated by young reeds and caviar of other fish. Sometimes it also eats insects. Its meat is considered tasty and dietary. However, to make it more tender, it is recommended to soak it in cold water for several hours before cooking.
Carp
Freshwater centenarian (some reach 100 years old). Its elongated body is covered with large golden scales with shades of brown and green. It has characteristic whiskers, with which it seeks out prey at the bottom, rummaging through the silt.Very voracious. Adults reach a length of up to 1 meter and weigh up to 10 kg.
Lives in muddy waters in most countries of Europe, Asia and America. Reaches sexual maturity at the age of 3-5 years, lays eggs when the water temperature reaches 18-20 degrees Celsius. Fish can lay up to 1 million eggs.
They prefer to eat various plant and animal foods, including algae, insects, and mollusks. However, experienced fishermen catch them on undercooked potatoes and bread crumb balls. Carp meat is a delicacy, characterized by a soft texture and a sweetish taste. However, not everyone can catch a fish, because it is very strong and nimble.
Asp
Belongs to the carp family. He has a rather thin and elongated body, painted in silver, dark blue with a gray tint. It lives in rivers, lakes and ponds in Europe and Siberia.He does not like stagnant water bodies and prefers places with a fast current. Life expectancy is approximately 5-7 years, and the weight of an adult is about 10 kg. Body length - 1-1.5 m.
Its meat is rich in protein, does not contain much fat and has a delicate taste. It is an omnivorous fish that feeds on aquatic insects, crustaceans, small fish and vegetation.
Chehon
This is a small freshwater inhabitant living in rivers, lakes and ponds in Europe and Western Asia. It has an elongated body shape with small scales. The color is varied - from golden yellow to silver with a greenish tint. The average weight of an adult fish is 1 kg, and the length is about 40 cm. The life cycle reaches 8 years. An omnivorous fish that lives in schools in shallow waters. It feeds on algae, insects, worms, and in autumn - only bugs. Its meat is tender and lean, so it is often used in cooking.
Channel catfish
A small representative of the catfish family that lives in fresh waters. Prefers small warm reservoirs (channels). Imported to us from South America. Reaches a length of up to 20 cm and has a dark brown color with spots and stripes. Adults weigh 50-100 grams. It feeds on various organic substances, such as detritus and algae, and insects. It migrates during the spawning period, when the water warms up to 25 degrees. Young fish reach sexual maturity by two years.
Eel
Freshwater predatory fish that lives in the waters of Europe and Asia. She has a long body with a long flexible tail, very reminiscent of a snake. Reaches a length of up to 50 centimeters and weighs up to 10 kg. Lives up to 50 years, provided there is enough food (small fish, snails, worms and crayfish) and protection from predators.
Snakehead
As the name suggests, this aquatic creature also looks like a snake. It reaches 1 meter in length. A characteristic feature of the appearance is a long head with a flat profile.
Snakehead is thermophilic, lives in sea waters along the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as in some adjacent rivers. Its meat is tasty and he althy, with a pronounced marine flavor.
Burbot
It looks like a catfish, but it does not reach the size of it. It has a wide body, covered with large scales, grayish-brown in color with a white belly. Likes cold waters. Migrates over long distances for spawning, which occurs in winter. Hunts at night.
Vyun
Found in small rivers in North America and Eurasia. Loves the muddy bottom. It got its name due to the ability to move quickly and flexibly, like a leaf in the wind. Looks a bit like an eel. Reaches a length of up to 30 cm. Coloration varies depending on habitat, but is usually brown or greenish in color with a white or yellow belly and small scales.
charr
This is an interesting representative of the salmon family, which differs in that it has absolutely no scales. Hence the name of the fish. Its meat is valued not only for its delicate taste, but also due to the fact that the portion does not decrease in volume during heat treatment.
Hungarian Lamprey
This is a small freshwater perch. It has an elongated body and bright yellow eyes. It is found in rivers only on the territory of Ukraine, as it belongs to an endangered species.Its fishing is prohibited by law. In the chosen reservoir it is able to live all its life, does not migrate.
Ukrainian Lamprey
This is a bottom-dwelling freshwater predatory fish. Outwardly similar to the previous representative of the river inhabitants, but her body is thinner. It reaches a length of 30 cm, and weighs up to 1 kg. Life expectancy is up to 15 years. Feeds on small fish, crustaceans and mollusks. It adapts to various habitat conditions due to its ability to survive in conditions of low oxygen content in water. Likes shallow water. Spawning takes place in spring when the water warms up to 10
Sterlet
This is an ancient fish with a unique appearance and soft, tender meat. Its oblong gray-brown body is covered with small scales, but what makes it special is its long nose, which vaguely resembles an anglerfish.It reaches a length of up to 1.5 meters and a weight of up to 100 kg. Sterlet can live up to 60 years, and some species even up to 100 years. However, the average age is 25 years. Now this predatory fish is rare, found in fresh and s alt waters in the north of the planet.
Danube salmon
A small fish that reaches a length of up to 70 cm and weighs up to 3 kg. Life expectancy is about 4-5 years. The habitat is limited to the Danube River and its tributaries. The meat has a light pink color and a delicate texture. It is a predator feeding on small fish and crustaceans. Occasionally consumes aquatic plants and detritus. Currently endangered and protected by law.
Brook trout
Freshwater fish found in the cold rivers and lakes of the northern hemisphere.Reaches a length of 15 to 80 cm and weighs from 0.5 to 5 kg. Average life expectancy is 3 to 5 years. Feeds on insects and small crustaceans. Never eats vegetation. Her meat is rich in protein, iron and vitamin B12.
Umbra
A small fish that lives in the Danube and Dniester basins. Her body is covered with scales with a silvery-greenish tint. The sizes are usually from 10 to 20 cm, and the weight reaches up to 300 grams. Life expectancy in the wild is approximately 4 years. Lives in fresh water and usually prefers cold and clear waters. Its meat is not particularly tasty, but is often used to make canned food or pet food. Feeds mainly on insects and small aquatic invertebrates such as crustaceans, fry and worms.
Rudd
Gets its name from the red tint of feathers on gill covers and pectoral fins. It looks like a roach, but looks brighter and more elegant. The body length of an adult fish is usually from 15 to 30 cm, and the maximum weight is up to 1.5 kg. The rudd lives in clean water bodies of central Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Lives in nature up to 17 years. It is quite unpretentious in care and quickly adapts to changing living conditions. Distinguished by its delicious meat. It is tender and fragrant, contains a lot of protein and fat, vitamin P. This fish is omnivorous. In the diet - algae, small vegetation, insects, crustaceans, but most of all loves caviar of mollusks. Actively feeds throughout the year and is able to be both in the depths of the reservoir and at the surface.
Podust
One of the most common species in fresh water. Its elongated body is gray-green, the belly is white.Reach a length of approximately 30 cm and weigh approximately 1.5 kg. Life expectancy is from 8 to 12 years. Prefers waters with good circulation and sufficient vegetation. Feeds mainly on insects, mollusks, plant foods.
Pike perch
The body reaches a length of up to 40 cm. It is distinguished by a greenish-brown back and a whitish belly. Dark spots are visible on the side, which help to hide in the grass and other shelters. Lives up to 25 years, and its weight sometimes reaches 15 kg. It lives only in clean freshwater reservoirs, including large rivers and lakes, as well as artificial reservoirs. It feeds on small fish, crustaceans and sometimes insects, using its ingenious tactics for hunting - it lies in wait for the victim and suddenly attacks it.
Bersh
A predatory representative of perch, common in freshwater reservoirs of Europe and North Asia.Usually reaches a length of 25-30 cm, although sometimes there are individuals up to 50 cm long and weighing up to 2 kg. The body coloration is brown-green, with dark spots on the lateral line and on the nose. Life expectancy in nature is about 10 years, but they can live up to 20 years under favorable conditions. Feeds mainly on small fish, insects and crustaceans.
Perch
The body length is usually 15 to 40 cm, and the maximum weight can reach 2-3 kg. Perch lives only in freshwater and clean water bodies, without a silt bottom. This little fish is a predator, eating small fish, insects and even rodents.
Ruff
Ruff reaches a length of up to 20 cm and weighs up to 350 g. Some anglers consider it similar to an eel, but its characteristic difference is the spines on the fin. They protect against predators.Feeds on plant and animal matter, including algae, fish food, small crustaceans and insects. It loves clean water, but can also live in a muddy pond. In the second case, it can change color.
Chop
A rare representative with an elongated body shape, silver-green coloration and large scales and a prominent snout. Adult individuals reach a length of up to 40 cm. Lives in the fresh waters of the Danube River and its tributaries. Spawning occurs in April, when the water warms up to 10 degrees. Feeds on a wide variety of foods, including insects, small crustaceans, mollusks, and other fish and plant foods.
Pike
A large predatory fish that lives in the fresh rivers of Eurasia and North America. The body length reaches 1.5 meters, and weight - up to 15 kilograms. Its narrow long body is covered with dark green scales with bright green spots.The pike's mouth is large and full of sharp teeth, which helps it hold prey well. The life cycle of a pike lasts up to 20 years. The most important thing for her is the presence of oxygen in the water. A spawning feature of pike is that they lay their eggs on thickets of reeds and vegetation, which provides protection from predators and provides good conditions for the survival of fry. The water temperature should be around 5 degrees. The meat is known for its excellent taste and low fat content. Pike prey on small fish, frogs, crabs and other aquatic animals, as well as small mammals that accidentally fall into the water.
Roach
-Russians-additional word
One of the most common freshwater fish in Russia and Europe. It lives in stagnant and slowly flowing reservoirs, its color depends on the quality of the water. It is somewhat reminiscent of the rudd, but larger in size. Body length - from 15 to 25 cm, sometimes more.The weight of an adult fish usually does not exceed 500 g. The main diet is small aquatic invertebrates and algae, fish fry.
Bleak
-in red-an additional word
Her small body is covered with small silvery scales. Size - from 10 to 20 cm. Reaches a weight of 100 g. Widespread, prefers water with a high oxygen content, clean, but can also live in a muddy reservoir.
Quick
The body size of an adult does not exceed 10 cm, weight - up to 10 g. The color of the body is silver-white, the life cycle lasts 3-5 years. It lives in the fresh waters of Europe and Asia, including in the rivers of Russia and Ukraine. It feeds on aquatic invertebrates and small vegetation. It grows very slowly.
Gudgeon
Found in rivers, lakes and reservoirs in Europe and Asia. It reaches a length of up to 25 cm and weighs up to 500 g. It is distinguished by the ability to grow rapidly. He likes clear waters with a fast current. It feeds on a variety of aquatic organisms, including small fish, insects, and crustaceans. Spawning occurs in spring on clay soils or on the rocky bottom of rivers and lakes.
White Cupid
Representative of cyprinids. It looks like a common carp, but the second one is smaller. The white carp got its name due to the white color of the body and the light belly. The maximum weight reaches 40 kg, and the length is more than 1 meter. However, the average weight is about 5-10 kg. Lives up to 20 years under optimal conditions. The habitat covers many countries of the world, including China, Russia, and the USA. Herbivorous fish capable of accepting both live and artificial food, which makes it popular in industrial farming.
Silver carp
This is a large fish, reaching a length of more than 1 meter and weighing up to 30 kg. Massive body with a light gray back and a silvery belly. Although this fish is herbivorous, it has teeth that help it grind food. Due to the fast metabolism, it grows very well. Distributed in freshwater reservoirs of the northern hemisphere, including lakes, rivers and ponds, thermophilic.
Som
Large freshwater fish of the catfish family. The body is cylindrical, covered with mucus, without scales, up to 2.5 meters in length. The fins are small, not pronounced. Weight varies depending on the species, age and conditions of detention. The largest catfish weigh up to 400 kg. It feeds on a variety of plant and animal food.
Crucian
Distributed everywhere, as it is not picky about the quality of food and its quantity. With a lack of food falls into hibernation. The coloration of the back is greenish-gray, the sides are yellowish, and the belly is white. The size usually does not exceed 30 cm, and the weight is 500 g. It feeds mainly on plant foods, such as algae, bottom algae, and microorganisms. Also eats small invertebrates.
Ling
Ling is a beautiful fish, sometimes called "royal" . It is distributed in fresh water bodies with dense vegetation in the northern hemisphere, including Russia. It is an important object of commercial and recreational fishing. Knows how to adapt to the conditions of the reservoir and is badly caught on the same bait twice.
Chub
Freshwater fish common in fast-flowing waters in the northern hemisphere.The average size of a chub is about 70 cm and weighs up to 7.5 kg. Predatory fish with bold meat. Chub fat is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins A, D, E and B12. Spawning occurs in spring, on gravel or sandy soils, at a temperature of 15 degrees.
Ide
Reaches a length of 30 to 70 cm and weighs up to 3 kg. The life cycle reaches 20-30 years. The list of places where he lives includes all the rivers and lakes of the northern hemisphere, such as the Yenisei, Ob, Volga, Dnieper and others. Hardy predator, living up to 20 years. Active even in winter. Spawns in spring when the water warms up to 6-12 °C.
European grayling
European grayling, or Siberian grayling is a valuable commercial predatory fish. The color of the back is dark green or gray, the sides are yellowish, and the belly is white. Lives up to 20 years. The peculiarity of spawning is that it occurs on pebbles and rocky soils, at a temperature of 10 degrees.
Carp
Freshwater cyprinids. It lives in lakes, rivers and reservoirs in Europe and Asia, where it occurs at depths up to 15 meters. Its long body is covered with dark scales of silvery or greenish color. Body color changes depending on water conditions. The maximum weight reaches 6 kg, and the length is up to 80 cm. It feeds mainly on small fish, as well as large insects and frog larvae.
