Fish ruff, or poisonous prickly "stone"

Fish ruff inhabiting the Black and Azov Seas, andalso in the Kerch Strait, has several names: small scorpion, sea ruff, scorpid, Black Sea scorpion-ruff, Scorpaena porcus (Latin name). It belongs to a group of scorpion-shaped, a family of scorpion. It lives in the bottom layer at depths of about 40 m.

Appearance has a very specific ruff fish.The marine inhabitant is disproportionate, on the flattened head it is necessary the third part from the total length. On the body are many different in length and poisonous spines (thorns). Eyes are huge, convex, high. Mouth large with small teeth. Color depends on the color of the seabed and can vary from reddish-brown to dark-gray. Throughout the body, there are dark spots that promote better camouflage. That's it, ruff-fish. The photo shows all her quirkiness.

Растет скорпена медленно, во взрослом состоянии it is rarely longer than 30 cm with a weight of 1 kg. As she grows, she has to change her "skin", like snakes. The better she eats, the more frequent the molting takes place. The first impression from the fish seen at the bottom is a stone covered with algae. Occasionally a fish ruff swims into rivers with a calm current. It turns out that she is able to live in fresh water.

The fish feed on different crustaceans andsmall fry. And she does not have to chase after anyone. She, remaining in place, waits for the production itself to swim in her mouth, or makes a sharp throw when finding the object of its fishing in the reach zone. This fish is inactive and ungainly.

Reproduction occurs in May-August.Spawning occurs in portions. Individual parts with eggs in the mucous membrane float to the surface of the sea. Immediately before the release of fry, the mucus dissolves. Hatched fry for a while at the surface, and then descend into the bottom layer, in which they live.

The fish ruff is poisonous.To most of the spines located on the back, the belly and near the anus, the canals of the gland that produces the poison are suitable. When you touch them, the skin moves away, exposing the "needle" through which the poisonous liquid is injected. Especially dangerous are such injuries in early spring, when fish have an elevated level of hormones. There are also lethal outcomes from a large amount of poison that has got into the human body.

The fish do not use spiny fish during hunting,they need it only for protection. In case of danger scorpion directs its spikes towards the enemy and does not try to swim at all. A fish withdrawn from the water, in addition to its protruding spines, can also produce sounds similar to a growl. It as though warns that it is not necessary to touch it.

Если укола об ее шип избежать не удалось, то из The wounds need to squeeze out as much blood as possible and the poison will be removed. Next, the affected area should be held under a stream of hot water, and then consult a doctor.

Несмотря на ядовитость шипов, рыба ерш съедобна.Moreover, it is considered a delicacy. The meat is white, juicy, and if you bake it in foil, then just "lick your fingers." There is an opinion that it is especially useful to men, as it increases potency.