2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Hypophthalmichthys are a genus of fish popular in the culinary world. They belong to the Carp family / Cyprinidae /. What is special about fathead minnows is that the eyes are below the line of the mouth, which makes their expression specific. The members of the genus originate from the waters around East Asia, but are also found in many other parts of the world.
Types of silver carp
There are several species in our country tolstolob. The white kingfisher (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) is large. He can gain more than 20 kilograms. His body is flattened and painted silver. It is covered with small and thin scales.
The so-called variegated silver carp / Hypophthalmichthys nobilis /, which originates from the Far East, has also been imported to Bulgaria. This species has a larger head than its white relative. Otherwise, his eyes are at the bottom of his head. Usually the variegated silver carp is painted in light brown, and its back is colored in darker shades. In some individuals, darker spots are also present on the sides. This depends on the lighting in the specific pond in which the fish live.
Usual behavior of a bighead
The white one tolstolob inhabits the surface layers of water. It consumes mostly plankton, which is found there. Various algae are present in the menu of this species. If there are no algae in the area, the fish use organic residues for food. In our country this species reproduces mainly artificially. The white fathead minnow reaches its sexual maturity around the age of three. He is very timid and when he feels threatened, he jumps over the water.
The colorful one tolstolob consumes zoo- and phytoplankton. However, as he gets older, the amount of zooplankton in his diet increases. In case of insufficient amount, it is necessary to be satisfied only with phytoplankton. He eats actively and gains weight quickly. He enters his sexual maturity when he is 6-7 years old. Compared to its white relative, it breeds a little later. In our country the variegated silver carp reproduces artificially. This type of fish moves in passages and this makes it easier for fishermen.
Breeding of silver carp
The Tolstoy is successfully bred and bred in many fisheries. It can coexist with fish of other species, as it would not pose a danger to them. It is not a competitor for the food of other fish. In addition, it does not require the presence of special plants in the pond in which it will live. The only condition is that there is phytoplankton in the water.
Catfish catch
White tolstolob in Bulgaria it can be caught in the dams: Koprinka, Ogosta, Lipnik, Zhrebchevo, Sopot, Aheloy, Domlyan, Batak and others. It is also found in the waters of the Danube and Lom rivers. A colorful silver carp in the country is present in the waters of the Danube and Scut rivers. It is also found in the dams: Aheloy, Varbitsa, Lenovo, Ogosta, Lomtsi and Ezerovo.
As bait for tolstolob can be used cake, bran and bread. The months during which these fish are most physically active are also the most suitable for catching. You can prepare the tackle in the last days of July, August and early September. Catfish can also be caught in the winter, but you will need to find a place to hide.
Then you will need to attract their attention with a special flavored bait, which you can find in specialty stores. The bait with which you will lure it should not be at the bottom, but move in the water. According to experts, food of animal origin remains more attractive for silver carp.
Choosing a bighead
When you buy tolstolob, always be sure that you choose the goods from a regulated store and not from an imaginary fish seller. Pay attention to the appearance of the bighead. His eyes should be clear and shiny. The flesh should be elastic and the skin should not stick. If the fish has too sharp and unpleasant smell, the quality is in question.
Cleaning tolstolob
The silver carp is washed well with cold water. If necessary, remove the scales with a knife. A cross-section of the abdomen is made and all the viscera are removed very carefully. If the fins are large, you can trim them, but still try to leave up to 1 cm of them. If desired, the head can be removed. The cleaned meat is washed again and dried. It can be crushed depending on the recipe in which it will be applied.
Cooking silver carp
The meat of tolstoloba is white. There are more bones around the tail. It is tender and pleasant to the taste, but has one negative feature - its taste decreases quickly after catching, so it is good to cook as soon as possible after the fish is caught. It can be included in various recipes.
It is very tasty breaded, grilled, in the form of skewers or fillets. Broths can be prepared from the trifles of silver carp, which then turn soups and stews into a real delight for the senses. It can also be used for aspic. Tolstoy can be seasoned with black pepper, basil, dill, thyme, balm, oregano, bay leaf, tarragon and more. Its taste is complemented by lemon and onion.
Benefits of silver carp
The meat of tolstoloba is useful because it contains a lot of protein, iron, sulfur, zinc, magnesium and others. It is also a source of such valuable omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. According to experts, eating silver carp helps prevent cardiovascular problems and prevent cancer. Consumption of this type of fish has been shown to be effective in atherosclerosis. It must be present in the menu of people with diabetes, gout, hypertension, rheumatism and others.
