the Black or Azov Sea can be found a very interesting fish that has an unusual and fearsome appearance, resembles a real sea monster.Most covered head appendages, large bulging eyes, huge mouth with thick lips and a lot of sharp teeth, the rays of the dorsal fin, similar to the real thorns.The name of this fearsome inhabitants of the deep sea - ruff sea, or otherwise, scorpion fish.
small but formidable predator
this monster belongs to a large family Scorpaenidae - marine ray-finned fish - inbound in the squad scorpaeniformes and employs more than 20 genera and 209 species.Members of this family inhabit the waters of tropical and temperate seas, but most prefer to Indo-Pacific.Just kind of scorpionfish (ruff a representative of the marine genus), numbering 62 species, distributed in the waters of the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean and the seas belonging to their pools.
In our country you can find two kinds of scorpionfish - skorpenu significant and Black Sea skorpenu (sea ruff).The Black Sea, by the way, is not the only place where dwells this amazing fish.She was seen even in the freshwater estuary Shapsuho the Caucasus, not to mention the Sea of Azov.
scorpion fish - fish is relatively small, the average of its dimensions do not exceed 15-20 cm. Rare instances of reach a length of half a meter.According to their way of life is ruff sea predators.The basis of its diet consists of small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates.Since marine ruff very difficult to see, even from close range for his prey he did not chase, and lies motionless on the bottom and waiting for the victim herself closer to him, then makes a short rush.
Caution scorpion!
kind at sea perch, really, really terrible.The body of scorpion fish has an elongated, somewhat compressed form on the sides, covered with small rough scales and fins, consists of a series of sharp thorns.Particularly impressive looks large head covered with numerous spines, and appendages, as well as a large shirokoguby mouth.Painted ruff sea rather motley: on brown background, a shade which can be very different, scattered many dark spots and stripes.The same spots and stripes are on the fins.A special feature is the scorpion that periodically (on average - once a month), it sheds.The upper layer of the skin is reset stocking (like snakes), under which there is a new - a fresh and bright.
At the bottom of thorns covering the body of scorpion fish, there are channels, which is a deadly poison.But their poisonous spines ruff used solely for the purpose of protection.If the body is pierced a thorn in the wound injected poison, from which the injection site swells and starts to hurt very much like a wasp bite.With numerous injuries, even death is possible (which is very rare).In this case, you must do everything possible to bleed the injection site as much as possible to prevent further contact with the poison in the body, to treat this place with hot water and apply to the medical facility, even if the pain gradually began to descend.By the way, when cleaning the fish caught has also necessary to observe safety measures.
despite threatening appearance, marine ruff photo which reminds a monster, not just edible - it is white and juicy meat is a real delicacy.From scorpion fish can be cooked many delicious dishes.Especially popular are the ear and ruff, baked in foil.Because they are often coveted prey for fishing or spearfishing, because due to their immobility allow yourself to swim very close.
