Sea ruff in the black sea. Scorpion fish (sea ruff) - description of how, where and what to catch. Sea ruffe, or Black Sea scorpionfish - Scorpaena porcus

Sea ruff, also known as scorpionfish - small fish, edible and even, according to experts, tasty, not very well known general public. In ichthyological circles it is much more popular. Not only is it named after her Scorpaenidae (scorpionfish, or sea ruffes), including 172 species, but also a whole Scorpaeniformes (Scorpiformes), consisting of 35 families.

Unfortunately, these fish are most famous not for their taste and beauty, but for their danger. Representatives of the order of sea ruffes take second place after stingrays in the number of poisonous injections inflicted on people.

But first we will talk about the fish themselves, and only then - about their dangerous spines, first aid for injections, prevention of unwanted contacts, and in conclusion - about how to cook delicious ruffs.

So, three families:

Family Scorpaenidae , subfamily Pteroinae - turkey fish, lion fish, fire fish

Family Scorpaenidae , subfamily Scorpaeninae - scorpion fish, crow fish, stone fish

Family Synanceiidae - stone fish, wasp fish, ghoul fish

And then: “they us” and “we them” - medical and culinary aspects of sea ruff science

Let the meticulous reader not be confused by the fact that fish from two different families are called “stones”. Sea ruffes have a lot of names, but some of them belong to several species, so without it it is often impossible to understand which fish they are talking about. we're talking about. Moreover, edible representatives of scorpionfish are called both cod and perch in English-language sources.

Fish- turkeys, lion fish, fire fish

( Family Scorpaenidae, subfamily Pteroinae )

Visitors to the underwater observatory will certainly linger at the aquarium with lionfish. And when I explain that these are not only one of the most beautiful Red Sea fish, but also one of the most poisonous, they are surprised and refuse to believe. Really cute creatures float in the water.

These fish have an original appearance, which is reflected in their numerous names. Russian name "lionfish" - translation Latin name Pterois. Other Russian name"zebra" needs no explanation. In English, lionfish and lionfish are lion fish, and turkeyfish are turkey fish, and firefish are fire fish. In Hebrew, the lionfish is called zaharon, from the verb lishor - to shine, to emit light.

Lionfish are truly dangerous. They are predators that hunt among coral reefs on small fish, crabs and shrimp. Moreover, they can either wait for prey in ambush or pursue it. If the lionfish is hiding, then the striped coloring and numerous outgrowths on the body camouflage it, visually dividing the outline. Long, regularly oscillating fins and outgrowths on the head (the outgrowth above the eye is especially developed) make the lionfish look like a bunch of algae. When a curious creature, attracted by the movement, approaches her, she is caught in her wide-open mouth.

If the lionfish pursues the prey, then as soon as the distance is reduced, a lightning-fast throw follows, grasping with its jaws and swallowing. Cannibalism has been observed in aquariums (and lionfish are very popular among marine aquarists). Lionfish are active at dusk and at night, but hungry fish can hunt during the day.

However, it is not the hunting fish that is dangerous, but the defending fish. No matter how attractive lionfish look in the water, do not touch them, do not drive them into the corners of shelters, otherwise they may rush at you. In defense, the fish turns its back to the enemy, and with lightning speed inflicts a poisonous injection with its long dorsal fin. At first, the injection seems trivial, almost unnoticeable, but the pain gradually intensifies to such an extent that it can lead to loss of consciousness. What lionfish attack with and what to do when injected is described below. The lionfish themselves become victims. The flute ambushes lionfish and swallows them from the tail, thereby reducing the risk of receiving a poisonous injection. Sharks that are immune to poison can also prey on lionfish.

	There are 5 species of lionfish in the Red Sea. Pterois miles , devil firefish, grows up to 36 cm, hunts fish and crustaceans. This is the only lionfish that also lives in the Mediterranean Sea.
	P. russelii , a flat-tailed turkey fish, grows up to 30 cm.
	P. radiate , radiant fiery fish, smaller in size, 24 cm. Feeds mainly on crustaceans. During the spawning season, the male Pterois cares for the female.
	In lionfish genus Dendrochirus the rays of the pectoral fins are connected by a membrane. D.brachypterus , a short-finned lionfish, lives in families consisting of one male and several females.
	D. zebra Can breed in an aquarium. The eggs are floating, which is how lionfish explore new water areas

Scorpio fish, crow fish, stone fish

(Family Scorpaenidae , subfamily Scorpaeninae )

Visitors to the Underwater Observatory are even more surprised when, going to the next aquarium, they learn that the closest relatives of the beautiful lionfish are the ugly sea ruffes.

Sea ruffes (scorpionfish and related species) are mainly fish of tropical and subtropical seas. They live in the coastal zone, in algae thickets, and spend most of their time lying on the bottom waiting for prey. If a fish or crustacean swims to a distance of 10-15 cm to the ruffe, it makes a sharp jerk, opens its mouth wide, into which the prey is sucked in along with the flow of water. A well-camouflaged ruffe can lie motionless for hours waiting for prey. And the fish are camouflaged by skin growths on the head and whimsically variegated color of dark spots and stripes on a brown background, the shades of which are quite variable. Many scorpion fish are overgrown with algae and sessile invertebrates. That is why underwater photographs of these fish resemble a “find the fish” picture.

Periodically, scorpionfish molt: upper layer the skin is shed almost like a snake's - with a cover and replaced with a new one; the faded color becomes bright and fresh again. In addition to ruffs, they molt like snakes, for example.

The sea ruffe only grabs moving prey, which it detects primarily with the help of lateral line organs , especially developed on his head. Therefore, the sea ruffe can hunt in complete darkness and in muddy water. The scorpionfish meets its enemy with thorns, the injections of which cause severe pain to a person, much more than the injections of lionfish.

The sea ruffe lays its eggs in separate portions, which are enclosed in a transparent shell of mucus; such mucus balloons float to the surface of the water. Before the larvae hatch, the mucus dissolves and the eggs are released from common shell. The hatched juveniles do not last long in the water column and soon move on to life at the bottom.

Large species of scorpionfish are edible, kosher and very tasty. However, fishermen are not very eager to catch scorpionfish, because it is difficult to remove it from the hook or disentangle it from the net. When a fish is taken out of the water, all its spines are protruding; sometimes it grumbles and growls loudly, quite clearly warning that with bare hands you won't take her.

The English names of these fish are: scorpionfish - scorpion fish, sea raven - sea raven, rockfish and stonefish - stone fish. Hebrew: akravan and akravit (from akrav - scorpion).

In the Red Sea there are 16 species of bottom-dwelling fish of the family Scorpaenidae related to childbirth Parascorpaena , Scorpaenodes , Scorpaenopsis And Sebastapistes . 7 species belonging to the genera were found in the Mediterranean Sea Scorpaena And Scorpaenodes , but they all stay much west of the Israeli coast.

Stone fish, wasp fish, ghoul fish

(Family Synanceiidae )

Close relatives of lionfish and scorpionfish are stonefish, also known as warts, which ichthyologists classify as a separate family of the order ruffes - Synanceiidae . Although their differences from scorpionfish are hardly noticeable to an ordinary person, there is a very important difference that needs to be mentioned: warts have bare skin, while scorpionfish have scales. That is, scorpionfish are kosher, but warts are not.

The wart is a very sedentary fish. The large head with small eyes and an upward-pointing mouth is covered with ridges and bumps. Pectoral fins with a very wide oblique base; 12 thick spines dorsal fin equipped with the most powerful poisonous glands among fish. There are also poisonous glands in the ventral and anal fins.

Warts - fish of the coastal tropical and subtropical seas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It lives in shallow places, among coral reefs or lava piles. According to its feeding method, it is an ambush predator. Usually lies huddled in a gap between stones or buried in the ground. Only the upper part of the head and back stick out upward, often masked by fouling. Even in the littoral zone, where the wart can dry out at low tide, it is difficult to notice. If necessary, it will move, does not swim, but crawls, using paired fins as paws. The skin is changed several times a year.

At the slightest irritation, the wart raises the spines of the dorsal fin. Sharp and durable, they can easily pierce the foot of a person who steps on a fish. Ordinary swimmers' shoes do not protect against these spikes.

In English, these cute fish are called stonefish - stone fish, waspfish - wasp fish, stingfish - stinging fish and ghoul - ghoul. In Hebrew - avnun and avnunit, from the word even - stone. There are 7 types of such “stones” in the Red Sea. Synanceia verrucosa - the most common and most poisonous representative of this family. Found from the Red Sea to Australia and Polynesia. Grows up to 40 cm and 2.5 kg. A solitary fish, usually lying buried in the sand up to its eyes. It feeds on bottom fish and crustaceans, drawing them into its mouth along with water. Despite its large size, it is not eaten.

But the smaller ones Choridactylus multibarbus , Inimicus filamentosus And Minous monodactylus reach the markets of Pacific countries in fresh and salted form. There are no representatives of this family in the Mediterranean Sea.

They us

Fish of the order of sea ruffs take second place after stingrays in the number of poisonous injections inflicted on people. Poisonous spiny rays are present in all fins except the pectoral ones. At the base of each ray there are 2 poisonous glands. The spine itself is covered with a free-hanging skin, which, when pricked, moves down and puts pressure on the poisonous gland. The secretion of the gland flows out and through the hollow running along the spine enters the wound. The poison is a high molecular weight protein. You can get an injection not only in the sea, fishing, diving or simply wandering in shallow water, but also at home if you keep scorpion fish in an aquarium (many aquarists consider these fish not only interesting, but also beautiful).

Based on the structure of the poisonous organs and the strength of the poison, ruffes can be divided into 4 groups. Least poisonous species Sebastes, although they can also inflict a dangerous injection. A thorn wound sometimes causes complications that disable a person for several weeks or even months, or even leave a mark for life: the finger loses the ability to bend and straighten. But sea ​​bass The creatures are deep-sea, they are not found on our shores, but are sold in fish stores under the name rotbash or waradon.
Lionfish have long and thin spines, small venom glands, and relatively weak stings.
Scorpionfish have shorter and thicker spines, larger poison glands, and stronger stings.
Stonefish have short, strong, powerful spines, well-developed poisonous glands, and their injections can be fatal to humans.

After being pricked by a scorpionfish thorn, a person experiences a sharp pain, which gradually intensifies to the point that it can become unbearable and lead to loss of consciousness. The affected area becomes numb and swollen. The pain sometimes begins to subside only after a few hours, but is felt after a few days. The severity of poisoning depends on many factors, including the type of fish, the number of spines embedded, and the physical condition of the victim. Deep injections caused by several thorns at once are especially dangerous. With repeated wounds, a person gradually acquires immunity to fish poison and suffers less and less from it.

Because, about sea ruffes and their relatives, as well as about all sorts of dangerous creatures, there are a lot of legends, often unreliable, then to refute them I used an article by an American doctor, Dr. Scott Gallagher "Lionfish and Stonefish" .

Descriptions of the tragic consequences of scorpionfish injections roam from site to site. Even on a professional ichthyological website FishBase it is written that lionfish Pterois miles “The rays of the fins are very poisonous and can cause death.”

And here’s what Dr. Gallagher writes: Doctors have described 101 reliable cases of being pricked by a lionfish. All victims are aquarists. 92% had local pain, 60% experienced swelling, and 13% had systemic symptoms. There were no deaths. In 95% of cases, skin damage was characterized by erythema (redness), blisters appeared in 4% and tissue necrosis in 1%.

While the sting of a lionfish is painful and only potentially dangerous to humans, other scorpionfish are very poisonous marine animals. In any case, among fish they are the most poisonous. It is a very popular statement that when an injection occurs on a stone fish, death occurs within 2 hours. But Gallagher writes that information about fatalities from contact with stone fish is rare and unreliable. The deaths of only 3 people are documented, and only one of them died immediately after the injection, and the other two died several months after the wound from secondary infection and tetanus.

However, the prick of the stone fish Synanceia causes unbearable pain, making a person incapacitated. The pain affects the limb and the lymph nodes closest to it. The peak of pain occurs 60-90 minutes after the injection and without medical intervention lasts up to 12 hours. Residual pain may persist for several weeks. The injection site is surrounded by a ring of bluish tissue. Then swelling and redness appear, the limb may become hot, in rare cases Tissue necrosis develops even without secondary infection. Blisters form, the skin begins to peel and peel. Sometimes a runny nose, muscle weakness, shortness of breath, and a drop in blood pressure appear.

First aid

It is necessary to determine the injection site, carefully remove the detected thorns, squeeze out a little blood from the wound, give an anesthetic, treat the wound with soap, rinse fresh water and seek medical help.

A good method of primary detoxification is hot baths. This method helps not only with injections of scorpion fish, but also stingrays, sea ​​urchins and other marine animals with poisonous spines, since some poison polypeptides are destroyed at high temperatures.

According to Gallagher, the water temperature should not exceed 45 o C (114 o F). The doctor reminds that as a result of anesthesia and loss of sensitivity, burns are possible when using more hot water. But there is another opinion: the water for the bath should be as hot as the victim can tolerate. Processing time is 30-90 minutes. If the pain returns, the procedure must be repeated. But in any case, the bath is made after removing the thorns.

An antidote has been developed against stonefish venom, but it is only effective if administered immediately after the injection. But what is necessary in any case is to be vaccinated against tetanus, the pathogens of which can enter the body with a thorn and cause death. But it is best to take preventive measures.

Prevention

Most of the pricks of scorpion fish are caused by improper behavior of people: careless walking along the bottom, awkward handling of aquarists or aggressive behavior swimmers As a rule, it is impossible to notice these fish on the bottom, they are so well camouflaged. Therefore, where there is a danger of meeting them, do not go into the water barefoot, especially at night. Remember that swimming shoes or scuba gear do not provide complete protection. Poisonous rays can puncture rubber. In water, try to walk with a shuffling gait without lifting your feet from the substrate. When you see a lionfish, scorpionfish or wart, do not touch them, much less drive them into the corners of shelters, otherwise they may rush at you in defense. Aquarists keeping these fish must be very careful.

We them

As mentioned, sea ruffes are edible, kosher, and even delicious. Therefore, where they are found, they are loved and know how to cook. Mediterranean scorpionfish can be cooked Scorfano in Umido, stewing it with tomatoes.

For 4 servings you will need:
1400 g fish,
10 ripe sherry tomatoes,
2 tbsp. a spoonful of chopped parsley,
3 tbsp. spoons of flour,
salt and ground hot pepper to taste.

Blanch the tomatoes, remove the skin, remove the seeds, and chop finely.
Clean the fish, remove scales, fins and head.
Cut the carcass into fillets and cut into pieces.
Roll each piece in flour and fry in oil until golden brown.
Then take a large saucepan, put tomatoes on the bottom, and pieces of fish on them.
Salt, pepper, sprinkle with parsley and drizzle with olive oil.
Simmer over moderate heat with the lid partially open for about 30 minutes.

Description

Black Sea scorpionfish (from Latin Scorpaena porcus) - predatory fish, living in the Mediterranean and Black Seas, as well as off the African and European coasts Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes found in the Sea of ​​Azov. The second name of the fish is “Black Sea ruff”. The flattened head of the scorpionfish occupies one third of the body. The head has purple, bulging eyes and a huge mouth with thick lips that can easily swallow a whole crab, and powerful jaws. The head is armed with spikes and long, flap-like tentacles. The entire body is covered with tubercles, warts, rays and flaps of skin, with the help of which the scorpionfish disguises itself as stones overgrown with vegetation. Dorsal fin black sea ​​ruffe has spiny rays that are always straightened and raised upward in the form of spines. The size of the fish reaches 40 cm in length, and its weight is approximately 1.5 kg. The Black Sea scorpionfish has poisonous glands located at the base of the spiny rays of the dorsal, ventral and anal fins. There are about 20 such rays, which serve as protection for scorpion fish from predators, on the fish’s body. Poison is also found on the gill covers and bone spines. Scorpionfish has interesting feature: she sheds regularly, and sheds her old skin like a snake, like a “stocking.” Shedding can occur up to twice a month. The fish has a bizarre variegated color. Juveniles are light yellow or cream colored with reddish-brown spots and irregular vertical stripes. With age, the color darkens, dark brown with wide vertical blurry stripes. Pink, crimson-yellow and black scorpionfish are sometimes found.

This predator feeds on small fish and crustaceans, lying in wait for them. The scorpionfish can hunt in complete darkness because it has organs on its head and sides that help capture currents of water from a moving object. Inhabits coastal areas, among rocks and algae thickets. The fish is sedentary and not shy. In the warm season (June-September), scorpionfish spawn, laying eggs in separate portions enclosed in transparent mucous membranes. Before the larvae hatch, these mucous sacs burst and the eggs are released from the common shell. The emerging juveniles do not remain in the water column for long, and then move on to life at the bottom. Scorpionfish are a nocturnal predator, so it is best to catch them after dark. The calm hours after a storm are optimal for fishing, as the fish move close to the shore in search of food.

Scorpion fish meat is eaten. The main thing is to be careful when cleaning this fish so as not to get injured by its spines. The fish is highly sticky, so it is used to make jelly for jellied fish and fish soup. Ruffs can be fried and also used as an additive when cooking fish soup from other fish, as they enhance the taste of fish broth. To keep the fish tender and juicy, you should cook it in dishes with liquid (gravy). Baked in the oven or fried on the grill, scorpionfish becomes very dry. In Turkish cuisine, Black Sea scorpion fish soup is very popular and is considered a delicacy. Fish especially strongly absorbs the aromas of spicy plants growing on the rocks under which it lives: laurel, thyme and myrtle.

Composition, calorie content and beneficial features black sea scorpionfish

Despite its frightening appearance, scorpion fish are useful and are considered one of the most delicious fish in the Black Sea. Its white, juicy and elastic meat has a slightly sweet taste. It is believed that the meat of this fish has a positive effect on male body. Rich in macro and microelements such as chromium, zinc, fluorine, nickel, molybdenum, as well as vitamin PP (nicotinic acid). Nicotinic acid is involved in protein and carbohydrate metabolism in the body, helps reduce cholesterol in the blood, activates the functioning of the brain and central nervous system. Thanks to the presence of vitamin PP, scorpionfish dishes can prevent a skin disease that causes “rough skin” - pellagra.

Black Sea scorpionfish belongs to the group of skinny fish, such as hake, cod, flounder, tench, containing no more than 80-90 calories per 100 g of finished product. Therefore, the meat of such fish can be safely included in a low-calorie diet.

Contraindications: be careful, poisonous scorpionfish!

Scorpionfish have poisonous spines. The effect of the poison is not fatal, but very unpleasant - like a wasp sting. Wounds from the thorns of this fish cause burning pain, the skin around the wound turns red and swells, possibly general malaise And elevated temperature. An allergic reaction may begin, so immediately after being pricked with thorns you should take an antihistamine (anti-allergic) drug. Wounds should be treated like regular scratches. In any case, if this fish is affected by poison, it is better to consult a doctor.

Most often, fishermen suffer from ruffe thorns when they pull them out of nets or remove them from a fishing hook. When cleaning scorpionfish, care must also be taken so that the poison from the spines, bone spines and gill covers does not get into small wounds and cracks on the skin of the hands. The poison persists even in those fish that have been left in the refrigerator. The ruff must be decapitated and the dorsal fins removed, and only then begin cutting up the carcass.

Scorpionfish are one of the most dangerous sea animals. Even the name of these fish comes from the accepted foreign languages the name "scorpion fish", which indicates strong toxicity. Despite the fact that scorpionfish cannot be called beautiful, few can compete with them in the colorfulness and whimsicality of their forms. Systematically, several genera of fish from the scorpionfish family of the order Scorpiformes are classified as scorpionfish. Lionfish and spiny lionfish are very close to them; more distant relatives of scorpionfish are warts, groupers, gurnards and trigles.

Red scorpionfish (Scorpaena scrofa).

Scorpion fish are small and medium-sized fish, the length of most species does not exceed 30 cm. They are characterized by a large head and a shortened body, sharply tapering towards the tail. The tail itself is small and inconspicuous, but the fins are large, with highly developed rays. The dorsal fin is divided into two parts by a notch: in the anterior part, 7-17 rays have turned into sharp spines; in the rear part there is one such spine. In addition, there is one spine in the pelvic fins and 2-3 in the anal fin. Each spine has two grooves through which mucus flows, secreted by poisonous glands at the base of the spine. This structural principle is a bit like the structure of poisonous teeth in snakes. In addition to spines, scorpionfish have a bony bridge under the eye that protects the head, which is why these fish are sometimes called armor-cheeked. Scorpionfish also have short spines on their cheeks, but they are not poisonous. The eyes of these fish are bulging like those of toads and frogs.

The mouth of scorpionfish is large and, if necessary, can open very wide.

Scorpionfish share another property unique to fish with snakes. The fact is that scorpionfish... shed! Periodically, they change their skin (for example, the Black Sea scorpionfish does this every month), and, like snakes, scorpionfish shed their entire skin in the form of a stocking. But the main thing distinguishing feature scorpionfish are numerous outgrowths that cover the body of the fish. They can be developed to varying degrees - from short tufts imitating moss to branched formations reminiscent of algae or coral. This ambience is complemented by variegated colors.

The richness and variegation of the scorpionfish's coloring is reminiscent of an oriental carpet.

Although the color scheme of most species is reduced to red-brown tones, many small multi-colored spots, lines, stains and halftones make the pattern incredibly rich, and the scorpionfish itself - invisible against the motley background of the coral reef.

The complex pattern of the lace scorpionfish (Rhinopias aphanes) continuously flows from the body to the fins, creating a perfect resemblance to a coral branch.

The color of the lace scorpionfish is very variable: among the representatives of this species you can find red, yellow, black, single-colored and multi-colored individuals. Males and females of all scorpionfish look the same.

This gloomy fish is also a lacy scorpionfish.

Another outfit from the rich “wardrobe” of lace scorpions.

The habitat of scorpionfish covers all tropical and subtropical zones globe. Many species of scorpionfish can be found on the islands of the Malay Archipelago, the Philippines, and Thailand. One of the northernmost species is the Black Sea scorpionfish, or sea ruff, which lives in the Black Sea. In general, all scorpionfish live exclusively in salt water, their favorite habitats are coastal zones and shallow waters of coral atolls, but some species can be found at depths of up to 2000 m. Scorpionfish spend most of their time completely motionless, lying on the bottom waiting for prey. They swim rarely and for short distances, but if necessary they can make rapid leaps. Scorpionfish lead a solitary lifestyle; according to some reports, some species are active only at night.

Echmeyer's scorpionfish (Rhinopias eschmeyeri).

Scorpionfish are predators that hunt from ambush. Not only are these fish difficult to distinguish from the surrounding landscape, but they also burrow into the ground in such a way that only their eyes are visible from the outside (that’s why they are so bulging). The scorpionfish waits patiently in ambush for hours until the victim comes into view, then the scorpionfish quickly opens its mouth and the victim is literally carried into it by the current. Since these fish attack small animals, they swallow their prey whole. Scorpion fish hunt small fish, crustaceans (shrimp) and cephalopods(primarily squid). Deep-sea species of scorpionfish and those that hunt at night detect prey thanks to a highly developed lateral line, which in scorpionfish has moved to the head. Thanks to this line, predators sense water vibrations produced by the prey and determine its location even in pitch darkness.

California scorpionfish (Scorpaena guttata) eats squid (Doryteuthis opalescens).

Scorpionfish lay their eggs in separate portions, packaged in mucus balloons. These balloons float to the surface of the water and there break up into individual eggs. The floating eggs hatch into larvae, which at first stay near the surface of the water, but having matured a little, they descend into the bottom layers.

Californian scorpionfish caviar.

In nature, scorpionfish have few enemies, given their excellent camouflage, low mobility and strong poisonousness. But for humans, scorpionfish are of dual interest. On the one hand, these fish pose a real danger to divers, swimmers, and even people just relaxing on the shore. The thing is that the skillful camouflage of scorpionfish does not allow them to detect the fish in time, so it is very easy to prick themselves on its spines. What complicates the situation is that scorpionfish often find themselves washed ashore, and their spines can pierce even light shoes. When injected, poison immediately enters the wound, which causes very severe pain. The pain increases over time and can even lead to loss of consciousness from painful shock. In addition, the components of the poison cause a decrease in blood pressure, swelling of the lungs and the affected limb, and numbness. Symptoms do not go away for several days, but deaths from scorpionfish poisoning are rare.

Flat-headed scorpenopsis (Scorpaenopsis oxycephala).

On the other hand, the Black Sea and Californian scorpionfish have considerable gastronomic value. Their meat is very tasty and gives excellent fat, so fish soup and fish soups are often made from scorpion fish. Scorpionfish are caught along with other fish, and cut with gloves separately from other species. Meat freed from thorns does not pose any danger. Scorpionfish are also attractive to aquarists, although keeping them at home is not easy. When keeping scorpion fish, it is important to provide them with shelters in aquariums, good aeration and water filtration. Scorpionfish feed on small fish and crustaceans (brine shrimp); with fish of equal size, scorpionfish behave peacefully and get along well with their neighbors.

The Black Sea is not a tropical sea, infested with poisonous fish and dangerous animals. Here there is no electric stingrays, no man-eating sharks, no Portuguese ships, neither toothy moray eels, however, in its waters there are Marine life posing a danger to human health.

It's starting very soon swimming season 2017 and vacationers yearning for sun and water during the long winter will flock en masse to the banks of rivers, lakes, and, of course, go on vacation to Black Sea coast. The Black Sea is very friendly towards people, there are practically no animals dangerous to humans here, however, even here you need to be alert so as not to completely spoil your holiday. These are the few inhabitants of the Black Sea that can cause us trouble.

It is easily distinguished by its fleshy, bell-shaped dome and the heavy beard of oral lobes underneath. These lacy blades contain poisonous stinging cells. Try to swim around them; but in general, ordinary nettle burns more than cornet. Jellyfish pose a certain danger to human mucous membranes, so you should beware of diving with your eyes open and putting jellyfish in your swimming trunks.

Another large Black Sea jellyfish is Aurelia aurita.

Its stinging cells are weaker, they do not pierce the skin on the body, but it can be painful to burn the mucous membrane of the eyes or the edges of the lips; Therefore, it is better not to throw jellyfish at each other. Aurelia stinging cells are found on the fringe of small tentacles bordering the edge of the jellyfish's dome. If you touch a jellyfish, even a dead one, rinse your hands - stinging cells may remain on them, and if you then rub your eyes with them, you will get burned.

Spiny shark, or katran

Lives in Black, Barents, Okhotsk and Japanese seas. Length up to 2 meters. It is called spiny for its two strong, sharp spines, at the base of which there are poisonous glands located in front of the dorsal fins. With them, the katran is capable of inflicting deep wounds on an unlucky fisherman or a careless scuba diver. An inflammatory reaction develops at the site of the lesion: pain, hyperemia, swelling. Sometimes there is a rapid heartbeat and slow breathing. We should not forget that the katran also has shark teeth, despite its modest size. Its poison, unlike the others, contains mainly myotropic (acting on muscles) substances and has a rather weak effect, so in the vast majority of poisoning people ends in complete recovery.

Sea ruffe, or Black Sea scorpionfish - Scorpaena porcus

This is a real monster - a large head covered with outgrowths, horns, bulging crimson eyes, a huge mouth with thick lips. The rays of the dorsal fin are turned into sharp spines, which the scorpionfish, if disturbed, spreads out; at the base of each ray is a poisonous gland. This is the ruff’s protection from predators, its weapon of defense. And the attack weapon - jaws with many sharp crooked teeth - are intended for careless fish that approach the scorpionfish within the distance of its swift, furious throw. The whole appearance of the scorpionfish speaks of its danger; and at the same time she is beautiful - and there are scorpionfish very different colors- black, gray, brown, raspberry-yellow, pink...

These spiny predators they hide between stones, under algae, and, like all bottom-dwelling fish, change color to match the color of their surroundings, and can quickly lighten or darken depending on the light. The scorpionfish is also hidden by numerous outgrowths, spines and leathery tentacles, turning it into one of the stones overgrown with marine vegetation. Therefore, it is difficult to notice her, and she herself relies so much on her inconspicuousness that she floats away (or rather, flies away like a bullet from a gun!) only if you approach her closely. Sometimes you can even touch it - but that’s exactly what you shouldn’t do - you’ll get pricked! It’s more interesting to watch a scorpionfish hunt while lying on the surface of the water and breathing through a snorkel...

There are two species of scorpionfish in the Black Sea- the noticeable scorpionfish Scorpaena notata, it is no more than 15 centimeters in length, and the Black Sea scorpionfish Scorpaena porcus - up to half a meter - but such large ones are found deeper, further from the coast. The main difference between the Black Sea scorpionfish is its long, rag-like flaps, supraorbital tentacles. In the noticeable scorpion fish these outgrowths are short. The poisons they secrete are especially dangerous in early spring. Fin pricks are very painful.

Wounds from scorpionfish thorns cause burning pain, the area around the injections turns red and swells, then general malaise, fever, and your rest is interrupted for a day or two. Wounds should be treated like regular scratches. The main symptoms of poisoning by sea ruffe are local inflammation (where they were injected) and a general allergic reaction. Therefore, the only tablets that can help are antiallergic (antihistamine) drugs - remember that you must strictly follow the instructions for use of the tablets that come with all medications. There are no known deaths from scorpionfish injections. No one steps on it by accident either - curious divers and fishermen suffer from its thorns when they remove the ruff from a hook or take it out of a net. By the way, the sea ruffe is a very tasty fish, but you need to clean it carefully - the poison is retained even by scorpionfish that have been in the refrigerator.

In small doses, the toxin causes local inflammation of tissues, in large doses it causes paralysis of the respiratory muscles. The venom of the sea ruffe contains mainly substances that act on the blood, so the symptoms of poisoning in victims persist for several days and then go away without complications.

Stingray stingray, aka sea cat

Grows up to 1 m in length. He has a thorn on his tail, or rather real sword- up to 20 centimeters in length. Some fish have two or even three spines. Its edges are very sharp, and also jagged, along the blade, on the lower side there is a groove in which dark poison from the poisonous gland on the tail is visible. If you touch a stingray lying at the bottom, it will strike with its tail like a whip; at the same time, it protrudes its spine and can cause a deep chopped or puncture wound. A wound from a stingray blow is treated like any other.

Stingrays lead a bottom lifestyle. Despite the fact that sea cats are quite shy, afraid of noise, and try to swim away from swimmers, if you accidentally step on a stingray buried in the ground in shallow water with a sandy bottom, it begins to defend itself and inflicts a deep wound on a person with its “weapon.” " His injection resembles a blow with a dull knife. The pain quickly intensifies and after 5-10 minutes becomes unbearable. Local phenomena (edema, hyperemia) are accompanied by fainting, dizziness, and cardiac dysfunction. IN severe cases Death may occur from cardiac paralysis. Usually on the 5-7th day the victim recovers, but the wound heals much later.

Sea cat venom, once in the wound, causes painful phenomena similar to bites poisonous snake. It acts equally on both the nervous and circulatory systems. Unlike the katran and scorpionfish, after a close acquaintance with the sea cat, it is unlikely that you will be able to do without the help of a doctor.

Stargazer, or Sea Cow

Their usual sizes are 30-40 centimeters. They live in the Black Sea and on Far East. The stargazer, or sea cow, living in the Black Sea, has a grayish-brown spindle-shaped body with white lines running along the lateral line. irregular shape spots. The fish's eyes are directed upward, towards the sky. Hence its name. The stargazer spends most of its time at the bottom, buried in the ground, with its eyes and mouth protruding outward with a protruding worm-like tongue that serves as bait for fish. On the gill covers and above pectoral fins sea ​​cow there are sharp thorns. During the breeding season, from late May to September, a cluster of toxin-producing cells develops at their base. Through the grooves on the thorns, the poison enters the wound.

Soon after injury, a person experiences acute pain at the injection site, the affected tissue swells, and breathing becomes difficult. Only after a few days does the person recover. The poison secreted by stargazers is similar in its effect to the toxin of dragon fish, but has not been studied enough. Known cases deaths when affected by these species of fish living in the Mediterranean Sea.

Our list ends with the Sea Dragon, or Sea Scorpion.

The most poisonous fish in many European seas lives in the Black Sea and the Kerch Strait. Length - up to 36 centimeters. A smaller species lives in the western part of the Baltic - the small sea dragon, or viper (12-14 centimeters). The structure of the poisonous apparatus of these fish is similar, therefore the development of signs of poisoning is similar. The sea dragon's body is laterally compressed, its eyes are set high, close together and looking up. The fish lives near the bottom and often burrows into the ground so that only its head is visible. If you step on it with your bare foot or grab it with your hand, its sharp spines pierce the body of the “offender.” The scorpion's 6-7 rays of the anterior dorsal fin and the spines of the gill covers are equipped with poisonous glands. Depending on the depth of the injection, the size of the fish, and the condition of the victim, the consequences of being hit by a dragon can be different. First, a sharp, burning pain is felt at the site of injury. The skin in the wound area turns red, swelling appears, and tissue necrosis develops. Headache, fever, profuse sweating, pain in the heart occur, and breathing becomes weakened. Paralysis of the limbs may occur, and in the most severe cases, death. However, usually the poisoning goes away after 2-3 days, but a secondary infection, necrosis and a sluggish (up to 3 months) ulcer necessarily develop in the wound. It has been established that the dragon's venom contains mainly substances that act on circulatory system, the percentage of neurotropic toxins is small. Therefore, the vast majority of poisoning cases end in the person’s recovery.

To prevent poisoning by poisonous fish, scuba diving enthusiasts, divers, scuba divers, tourists and those simply relaxing by the sea must observe the following measures precautions.

Never try to grab fish with your unprotected hand, especially fish that are unknown to you, those that are in crevices or lying on the bottom.

It is not always safe, as experienced scuba divers testify, to touch unfamiliar objects located on sandy soil. These could be stingrays, sea dragons or stargazers camouflaging there. It is also dangerous to search underwater caves with your hands - you can stumble upon a hidden scorpionfish in them.

Those who like to walk barefoot on the seashore at low tide should carefully watch their step. Remember: sea dragons often remain in wet sand after the water recedes and are easy to step on. Children and those who come to the sea coast for the first time should be especially warned about this.

Emergency measures when poisonous fish are injured by spiny spines should be aimed at relieving pain from the injury and poison, overcoming the effect of the toxin and preventing secondary infection. If you are wounded, you must immediately vigorously suck out the poison from the wound with your mouth along with the blood for 15-20 minutes. The sucked liquid must be quickly spit out. There is no need to fear the effects of the toxin: the bactericidal substances contained in saliva reliably protect against poisoning. However, remember that this procedure cannot be performed on anyone who has wounds, damage, or ulcers on their lips and mouth. After this, the affected area should be washed with a strong solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide and an aseptic bandage should be applied. Then the victim is given a painkiller and diphenhydramine to prevent the development of allergic reactions, as well as drinking plenty of fluids, preferably strong tea.

Any injection poisonous fish there is a proven folk way reduce pain from a wound. If you catch an offender, and most often it is careless fishermen who get injured, then you need to cut off a piece of meat from the fish that injured you and apply it to the wound. The pain will subside significantly, however, in the case of the sea dragon, stargazer and stingray, prompt, qualified assistance from a doctor is required in the future.

In conclusion, I would like to remind you once again: be careful and careful when swimming, diving and scuba diving. You can easily avoid unpleasant contact with dangerous inhabitants, since they themselves never attack a person, but use their weapons solely for the purpose of self-defense.

This predator lives closer to the bottom at a depth of up to 40 meters. Externally, it can be mistaken for a pebble covered with various algae. Has a slightly flattened head with high-set big eyes. The fish is colored brownish-pink. An adult fish can grow up to 30 cm. Moreover, the sea ruffe grows in a unique way: like snakes, it sheds its old skin and acquires a new one. Moreover, than better conditions, in which the fish live, and the more food there is, the more often these molts occur.

In addition to the waters of the Black and Seas of Azov, the lesser scorpionfish is found off the coast of Australia, southern New South Wales to Cape York and the west coast of New Guinea. There have been cases when these ruffes were caught in rivers with calm currents. This means that they tolerate both salt water seas and fresh water rec.

Due to the fact that this fish is quite difficult to notice at the bottom, many of its victims literally swim into its mouth. She doesn't even have to specifically track anyone down. Sea ruffes grab their prey, making a sudden short throw characteristic of other scorpion fish, and swallow it. The scorpionfish feeds on small fish and various crustaceans.

This fish is dangerous not only for fish and crayfish: it is not for nothing that the sea ruffe received another name - the small scorpionfish. The entire body of this fish is covered with sharp thorns and prickles, but even these are not what make the ruffe dangerous. The fact is that at the base of the spines there are channels that conduct deadly poison. Experienced fishermen know this, so before removing the ruff from the hook, they stun it and cut off these dangerous spines. If you don't do this, you may get an injection. It causes very noticeable pain, and mucus that gets into the wound also causes inflammation. Ruff venom is especially dangerous in early spring: at this time of year, due to increased hormone levels, the venom becomes most toxic.

This fish does not use its poisonous spines for hunting, using them for protection. The poisonous organs are located in the spiny rays of the dorsal, anal and ventral fins. In total there are at least 20 such rays. They are located at an angle of 45°, thereby directed towards the aggressor. Paired venom glands are located at the base of the groove of each spine. When it pierces the body, the skin around it is pressed, and only the thorn and the poisonous gland located in it penetrate the wound. The upper part of the gland breaks through and the poison is injected into the wound. After the injection, the pain increases quickly and can become unbearable. With multiple injuries, some victims have to be hospitalized, and there were even cases with fatal. There were especially many casualties among fishermen. Due to the fact that there are many spines on the body of the ruff, they easily become entangled in the mesh. It is very difficult to untangle them without touching the thorns.

The danger of the sea ruffe is that when you accidentally disturb it, it will not even think about swimming away. On the contrary, it raises its dorsal spines and takes a protective pose, bending its body into a crescent. Without noticing it among the sea stones and algae, you can easily stumble upon it.

When a fish is taken out of the water, all its spines are protruding. Sometimes this little devil makes quite loud sounds, similar to a growl. This sea ruff warns you quite unequivocally that you cannot pick it up with your bare hands.

If you do receive an injection, first of all you need to do everything to make the wound bleed as much as possible - this will help remove the poison and prevent it from penetrating further into the body. And then you need to treat the affected area with very hot water. Even if the pain after the injection begins to gradually subside, you should immediately contact the nearest hospital. After all, the poison of the sea ruffe can get inside, which, although not fatal, is quite unsafe for humans.