Red mullet fish

Description

Red mullet (red mullet, barvena, red beard, mullet) is a schooling sea fish from the Barabulev family, which has an elongated, laterally compressed body, colored unevenly in red tones.
The fish's head is large, with an almost vertical snout and two long whiskers hanging from the chin. Sultanka is common not only in these water basins. It can be found along the entire eastern Atlantic coast, from Great Britain and Scandinavia to the Canary and Azores islands and Dakar. Small schools of fish prefer to stay near the soft muddy or sandy bottom at a depth of about 30 meters.

With the help of their antennae, they “dig” into the soil in search of food - small invertebrates. Red mullet spawns from May to August. At this time, each female lays several portions of eggs, which, after fertilization, rise to the upper waters. A few days later, larvae hatch from the eggs, which begin to actively feed and after a couple of months turn into young fish 5 centimeters long with a typical color for mullet.

Description of the species

The red mullet fish (photo of which is given in the article) lives both in the Mediterranean Sea and in the waters of the Black and Azov Seas. It can also be found in the eastern Atlantic area.

The body of the fish is slightly flattened on the sides and small - about 20-33 centimeters. The largest weight of a red mullet caught was recorded at 680 grams. The fins are short; the dorsal fin is fork-shaped. Thanks to its two long whiskers located on its chin, the fish explores the bottom in search of food, which is invertebrates. The body of the fish is unevenly colored. The body is predominantly red, the belly is silver, and the fins are light yellow. The head is large, with a small mouth containing teeth that resemble bristles.

red mullet spawning

Puberty occurs in red mullets at 2-3 years of age. Spawning for red mullet begins in May and lasts until August at depths of 15 to 50 meters. Then the females lay eggs in portions, and after fertilization, the eggs rise to the upper layers of the water. After a few days, the larvae hatch from the eggs and begin to feed intensively.

The juveniles feed on small animal organisms that inhabit the water column; their color is silver with a bluish-green tint, this color allows them to camouflage themselves from predators. And after 2 months, the fry swim to the shores, grow up, sink to the bottom and turn into real red mullet with their characteristic color and appearance, only small ones - 5-7 centimeters.

How to identify red mullet?

The appearance of the fish with an unusual name distinguishes it from other inhabitants of the seas.
It is small in size, reaching a maximum length of 30 centimeters. The creature's body is oblong, slightly compressed from the sides. The red mullet is distinguished by its color: the back and sides are painted in pink-red shades, and the belly is light yellow. Another distinctive feature of the fish is the presence of long antennae. They help her find food at the bottom of reservoirs, among sand and shells. At the same time, the fish violently releases air bubbles, which is why they got their name - red mullet. Photos of these amazing creatures show us their simple but very cute appearance.

Story

The nutritional value of sultana was appreciated even by the ancient Romans. Large specimens were especially held in high esteem, for which the rich were willing to pay a tidy sum. In those days, fish were called “mulls,” and they were paid in silver according to the weight of the fish. The Roman poet Horace wrote about such unjustified extravagance: “You praise, crazy, mullah for only one thing, that he weighs exactly three pounds...”.

But the patricians spared no expense and bought fish for fabulous sums at that time. Why was fish so expensive? The point is this: the Romans were among the first in Europe to learn how to keep red mullet in special pools - “piscina”. Maintaining such large aquariums was very expensive and troublesome, because the sea water in them quickly stagnated and spoiled, so it was necessary to ensure that the water in the pools was constantly changed.

And water was brought from the sea. Keeping fish in piscinas was considered a sign of prestige and wealth, but many did not approve of such entertainment. For example, the famous orator Cicero wrote: “Romans, what a useless activity you are addicted to! It’s a shame to say, but some imagine themselves to be gods if they manage to train the mullah to swim at their call and feed from their hands.”

The red mullet was not just eaten. There was a whole ritual. The fish were killed right in the yard in front of the numerous eyes of the guests. This is due to the fact that at the moment before death, the fish is covered with bright, carmine-colored spots, and as life leaves it, its color becomes pale again. After this, the cooks fried the red mullet and served it to the table.

Nowadays, such fun has long been outdated, and many people even consider it cruel. But what was the death of some small fish for the ancient Romans compared to the bloody battles in the Colosseum?

Fried red mullet. Step by step recipe

Ingredients

• Red mullet 4 pcs
• Zucchini 1 piece
• Tomato 1 piece
• Sweet pepper 1 piece
• Olive oil 3-4 tbsp. l.
• Salt, black pepper, breadcrumbs, lemon to taste

1. The nice thing about cooking red mullet is that it is easy to clean.
   The scales are large and easy to remove. And the practically absent bones in the fish make red mullet unique and desirable. If the mullet is frozen, it must be defrosted naturally. Just transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight. Red mullets (sultanas)
2. Clean the fish, gut it and remove the gills.
   Rinse thoroughly and scrape off the dark film from the inside of the abdomen. Salt the red mullet and pepper a little. Drizzle 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice and leave to marinate for 30 minutes. Clean the fish and marinate
3. Prepare a side dish for fried fish.
   Peel a medium-sized zucchini (if the zucchini is young, you don’t have to peel it), red bell pepper. Cut the zucchini into slices or halves of slices, cut the pepper into rings. Cut the tomato into thin slices along with seeds and peel. Vegetables for garnish
4. Heat olive oil in a frying pan and fry the chopped zucchini in it over medium heat.
   Do not cover the pan with a lid. It is necessary to stir the zucchini for even frying. Fry chopped zucchini
5. After about 5 minutes, when the zucchini pieces are slightly soft, add the chopped bell peppers.
   Fry the peppers and zucchini for another 5 minutes. Add chopped bell pepper
6. Salt and pepper the vegetables to taste and add the chopped tomato.
   Stir, fry for 1-2 minutes and immediately remove the pan with vegetables from the heat. Vegetables should be al dente and never overcooked. Place a side dish of fried vegetables on plates. Salt and pepper the vegetables to taste and add chopped tomato
7. Sprinkle the mullet with breadcrumbs and place in the remaining oil in a frying pan.
   Fry in olive oil in a well-heated frying pan. Fried red mullet cooks quickly, so you need to be careful not to overcook it. Sprinkle mullet with breadcrumbs and place in remaining butter

Red mullet is a delicious fish with a history. It was known back in Ancient Rome, in the Middle Ages, and was liked by Catherine the Second. It has always been popular in the Mediterranean countries - both a hundred years ago and now. It is usually fried plain or in various intricate breadings and served with beer. She leaves quickly and unnoticed, good for a sincere conversation. Fried red mullet is a very cozy and tasty meal. If you haven't tried it yet, you definitely need to improve it.

I cooked the nut-crusted red mullet with a spicy salsa and it crunched all over with its delicious fried sides. Highly recommend.

Cooking time: 30-40 minutes. Calorie content: 120 kcal.

tackle for catching red mullet

Adult mullet swim to the shores when spring comes and swim into the depths only towards winter. Sometimes you can find red mullet in river mouths. The red mullet lives 10-15 years. Red mullet is almost always located near the shore, which means that if you have the skill, you can catch it. In spring, summer and autumn, any amateur angler can enjoy catching this red-orange miracle, but in winter the red mullet goes to greater depths.

Red mullet is caught on raw or boiled shrimp, on crab meat (only real, not imitation), and bites on mussel meat, seaworms and ordinary earthworms. Usually, a tourist fisherman has a difficult task - where to get fresh bait, because red mullet almost never takes artificial bait.

Of course, all tourist fishermen can’t wait to go fishing, so for those who are in a hurry, the easiest way out is to buy a bag of shrimp in a store or from selling grandmothers and aunties. One serving will be enough. You need to remember that red mullet almost never takes a spoiled bait, so you don’t need to buy a lot. You can catch shrimp yourself. It’s more interesting this way, and the bait will be fresh.

To catch shrimp you only need a landing net. But not just any one, look for a fine-mesh one and better folding one. Currently, stores are replete with an assortment of all kinds of fishing gear for every taste, size, color, etc. Therefore, searching for a landing net will not take much time. Based on his choice, we can say that a good landing net should have a long and very durable telescopic handle - this is the main criterion for a good purchase.

It’s not difficult to catch a shrimp on the Black Sea coast - you just need to run the landing net along an underwater rock or along the concrete base of a pier. Shrimp is a perishable product, so it is better to take a bucket with you to store the caught shrimp in water - they are quite tenacious in water, but without water they spoil very quickly. In extreme heat, a couple of hours is enough and the nozzle is damaged.

Mussels are a bivalve mollusk. You need to look for mussels on the walls and piles of piers and breakwaters, on underwater rocks and rocks, on which they form entire colonies. To get mussels, you need a mask and great care when collecting them, because they have very sharp edges and can cause serious cuts. Mussels sit quite firmly on their bases, tearing them off is not as easy as it seems, so caution will not hurt here.

In order to open the mussel, you will need a knife, which needs to be passed between the flaps, in their widest part. Thus, you cut the muscle that holds the two valves together; this muscle, or “leg,” is the densest place on the mussel, and it is your bait. Using a knife, you need to separate the loose parts, which can be used as bait.

Red mullet is excellent for catching on crab, but such bait is not at all easy to obtain. There are plenty of small crabs in the coastal area. They often crawl ashore to hunt insects, but fishermen should not hunt these crabs. The stones on the shore are very slippery, and the crabs are very agile. There is no point in chasing them, they will run away anyway, and you risk getting all sorts of injuries.

But there is a way out - a crab trap, which you can easily design yourself. Make a ring out of wire, and put a mesh on it (the wire ring should be about 20-30 centimeters). Attach three dense threads to this ring and tie them on top with a strong knot. Find a strong twine and secure it to the finished knot.

When fishing, this string will pull the entire crab catcher. You will need a small stone for the load, which needs to be secured in the center of the mesh, and inside the mesh you should put bait (a piece of fish is perfect), which also needs to be secured. The finished crab catcher needs to be lowered to the bottom and wait. You can catch crabs from the pier by lowering the prepared tackle into the water.

You can store crabs in a small but tall bucket so that your bait does not run away. It is not necessary to pour water into the bucket, since crabs can survive without water.

You also need to have pliers with you so that it is convenient to open the crab’s shell and get the long-awaited meat for bait. As usual, the meat is obtained from the claws, tentacles and from under the shell.

The “sea flea” is a tiny crustacean that lives in the sand along the surf line. You need to get them there. This bait is good because it catches not only red mullet, but also an equally valuable fish – mullet. But since the “sea flea” is very small, it is very difficult to get it in the right quantity. But you need to be patient, because with such a bait you definitely won’t be left without a catch.

You need to bait the “sea flea” on a thin hook, several at a time. You can store your bait catch in a folded wet cloth.

The sea worm is the most famous and easiest bait for catching red mullet. All types of fish in the Black Sea are caught with sea worms and, what’s even nicer, you can simply buy worms in fishing stores, markets, and all kinds of street tents. All local fishermen fish for sea worms, so if you are a tourist fisherman and don’t know where you can buy a worm, ask them, they will gladly tell you about places of sale and will even advise where they think is best.

But the fact is that, of course, you can get a sea worm yourself. But for a very long time. Who wants to waste their precious time. Therefore, right on the coast you can meet local “professionals” who will practically get a sea worm in front of you and sell it right away. In general, there are many mining options.

The sea worm is also called “nereid” and “sandworm”. This bait is quite dense and is mainly baited with a “stocking”, otherwise the small thing will gnaw off the worm quite quickly.

Red mullet is the most interesting fishing object for fishermen on the Black Sea. Sometimes there are periods when red mullet appears in whole flocks off the coast of the Caucasus and Crimea. Then even the most inexperienced angler can please himself with a good catch of this tasty fish.

Red mullet is usually caught using float gear and a bottom fishing rod. Long casting is preferable, since this is sea fishing, which means great depths and waves. Bottom fishing rods must be very sensitive. The sea during fishing should be fairly calm and the current should be fairly weak. It is better not to skimp on hooks and leash lines for catching red mullet. And reels and rods can be cheaper and simpler. Nowadays, you can find good examples among inexpensive ones.

If you rely on European numbering, then the hook will fit at number 10 (5 according to domestic numbering). If you like to fish with a worm, then you need to choose a hook with a long shank.

It is better to use a transparent line, since this is sea fishing, a special “lead” line (0.14-0.16). As the main fishing line, many experienced fishermen recommend using “braid” from 0.15 and above, or a fairly thick monofilament line.

The length of the rod should be approximately 230-270 cm. When sea fishing, an increased load is placed on the reel, so you need to choose it carefully, and sea water can also have a negative effect on our reel. Therefore, it must be wear-resistant, reliable, have good traction, rotate easily and at the same time must have a reasonable price.

When fishing for red mullet, you can use a fly rod and fish with both a sliding (or moving) float and a stable one (blind rig). The float should be elongated, its antenna should be long enough and clearly visible, regardless of what type of equipment you choose. The mullet's bites are very gentle, so it is better to take floats with small weight capabilities, they will be more sensitive to the bites of this sunfish. It happens that the choice of float becomes key when catching red mullet.

When going fishing, ask the locals about the approximate depth of the place where you are going to go in order to choose the right gear. If the depth is up to 6 meters, then it is better to use a 1.5 g float, so you will feel the slightest bite. With a heavier float you will most likely miss bites, more or less depending on experience.

When fishing with a 5-6 meter rod at a depth of about 7 meters, it is better to attach a tiny shot at a distance of about 4 meters from the hook. The float with such equipment (it is better to take 2 g) will not move below this place, thereby relieving the fishing line from friction. When fishing with a moving float, the bait must be lowered to the very bottom, then raised alternately. Otherwise, you most likely won’t notice the bite. Whereas in fishing with a fixed float, the bait simply sinks to the bottom.

In general, a fixed and movable float has its positive and negative sides. For example, when using a moving float, signal sensitivity is low, the fisherman himself seems to feel these bites, and a fixed float gives an accurate picture of the bite. Or, when using a moving float, you can use shorter rods, and the rotation of the float, which means one of the main enemies in fishing - line twisting - is eliminated.

The leash should be the thinnest - 0.1-0.12 mm, it is better not to use anything thicker. The main line is 0.12-0.15 mm.

Fishing or catching?

The Black Sea mullet has always been of great interest to fishermen. Not every angler knows how to catch it correctly. First of all, you need to know that you need to hunt for the sultana only when the water warms up enough. This period usually begins after mid-May and lasts until the end of September.

Considering that these fish prefer to hide and move along the very bottom, you need to choose a bottom or float fishing rod. Various baits are suitable for red mullet. But the most delicious for the Sultan will be sea worms. Having put one of them on a fishing rod, you need to leave it at the very bottom or in the sand, expecting the creature to appear there in search of food.

In a situation where the mullet is in no hurry to peck, you can stir it up a little or tease it. To do this, the tackle must be carefully moved along the bottom. This must be done as follows: the bait mounted on the bottom fishing rod is slightly raised, taken a little to the side and lowered again. And so several times in a row.

It is worth noting that despite the small timidity of the fish, it is distinguished by considerable caution. This must be remembered when placing bait on a hook. Small in size, it should be stuck into the very edge of the worm so that the mullet does not fall off at the slightest hook. Photos in various specialized literature for anglers show approximate gear that needs to be chosen for catching sultana.

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They catch the sultana - from a sandy or rocky shore, from a bridge, pier, floating craft and during daylight hours, using natural bait.

The best period of the year for catching sultana fish is May and June, September and October, from 4 to 9 am.

A favorable time for catching red mullet is calm sunny weather, light wind, light rain. The required water temperature for fishing should not be less than 15 degrees.

It is better to cast the equipment in a coastal place, with a bottom covered with algae, as well as among stones, shells, where there is a muddy or muddy area of ​​the bottom.

The choice of rod depends directly on the fishing location, weather conditions, and, well, on the gear itself. If fishing is carried out with sensitive float tackle and long casting, for example, 20 - 40 m, then a 5-6 meter rod with a thin tip is used. For the same casting distance, if the equipment is equipped with a loaded float or a heavier load weighing 10-20 grams, then the end stop should be stiffer.

When fishing with a donk or with gear with underwater floats, where a load weighing more than 40 grams is used, a stick is used with a dough of up to 100 grams and a length of up to 3 m. An inertial reel is suitable, with a capacity of up to 100 m of fishing line 0.25 mm in diameter . If you use a spinning reel, then a size 2000 will be enough, but always with an instant brake, because when biting a cautious fish, such as a red mullet, there will be many derailments due to untimely hooking.

Since red mullet bites barely noticeably, it is best to fish with sensitive gear, which includes a float with 1.5 grams of dough, a couple of weight pellets, one of which is pressed 4 m from the bottom so that the buoy does not roll below the required level. The main line is 0.14 mm, leaders are 0.10 mm, thin and sharp hooks No. 3 - 4. There can be one or two undergrowths, but located near the bottom.

In windy weather, when there are waves, you won’t be able to throw light equipment very far and the float will be constantly covered by the wave, which will make it much more difficult to detect a bite. In such cases, tackle is used that is less picky about weather conditions, and this, if a float, then - shipped or with a large load of 6-8 grams and bottom tackle.

The bottom equipment is assembled from a 0.25 mm main fishing line, onto which a sliding sinker weighing 40 grams, elongated, is strung, stopped at the edges by pellets at a distance of 10 - 15 cm. At the end, two leashes of 0.14 mm fishing line are attached, one of which is long 8 cm, and the other - 12 cm. Hooks are taken under No. 6, if with a long shank, then you can put a heat-shrinkable tube on it, blue or red.

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Tackle with an additional float - is equipped with one hook and consists of:

• from buoys, one of which is on the surface and the other in the water column, the distance between them is 25 cm;
• sliding sinker 20 - 40 g, fixed with limiting stoppers, at intervals of 10 cm;
• undergrowth 0.14 mm cross-section, 10 cm long, with hook No. 5.

After casting, when the sinker hits the bottom, you need to pull the line with the rod so that the load touches the stopper, and then loosen it a little. When biting, the mullet freely pulls the hook to remove the bait, but until the weight hits the stopper and thus the fish is caught on its own.

An important point when fishing for sultana, when installing any gear:

• Donks, floats or feeders must be installed of high quality;
• sharp hooks;
• attach the nozzle so that the sting is slightly peeking out, to avoid snags, and so that at the slightest bite, the hook instantly pierces the fish’s lip.

Oleg Ageev shares his experience on how to catch red mullet on the beach in Crimea

As bait for mullet, they use fish offal, crushed sea worm (or crushed dendrobene, sandworm or dung), and mussel clams, which are crushed along with the shell. One of the listed ingredients, or all together, is mixed with sand and thrown into the intended fishing area.

The best baits are mussel leg, crab meat, shrimp, as well as sea flea and sandworm.

Red mullet rarely bites on artificial baits, except perhaps by accident.

Basically, the bites are cautious and barely noticeable.

If there is no bite for a long time, then you need to look for red mullet with light movements, stretching the equipment along the bottom. Once the fish has already been hooked, it is recommended to pull it at a moderate pace.

How to cook red mullet?

In Mediterranean countries, the nutritional properties of red mullet are still held in high esteem. Everyone there knows how to cook red mullet. In addition, it is tasty in any form, and its taste cannot be spoiled by any culinary processing. The sultana is used to make delicious fish soup, make dried fish, fry it on a grill or frying pan with spices, and bake it in the oven.

Even the most inept cook knows how to cook red mullet, because the fish has no bile at all, so you don’t even have to cut it up or gut it. Of course, restaurants often serve small fish gutted, but with the head on. It is the small fish that is considered the most delicious and tender, and therefore costs the most.

Gourmets love to stew red mullet in white wine with spices and grape leaves, or fry it in melted butter and breadcrumbs. Especially fried red mullet is popular in Ukraine and Russia.

Who is a red mullet

This is a type of small fish

, which lives in the Black Sea. Outwardly, it resembles small sprat or herring. It is quite easy to catch with a regular fishing rod or spinning rod at any time of the year, so even an inexperienced fisherman can cope with fishing. Local residents mainly catch it for themselves. Also in the resort towns of the Krasnodar Territory and in the Crimea there are fisheries and artels that specially catch this tasty fish for supply to markets and stores. Due to its pleasant taste and ease of preparation, this fish is in great demand.

An experienced fisherman can easily distinguish this fish from other small fish.

according to the following characteristics:

Composition and beneficial properties of red mullet

Red mullet is a fairly high-calorie fish, approximately 150 kcal per 100 g of product. However, despite this, it does not contribute to weight gain, since it contains a lot of complete protein and little fat. Fat is represented mainly by polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are extremely beneficial for the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

The red mullet recovers strength after prolonged physical activity. It contains vitamin A, B vitamins, ascorbic acid and niacin, as well as minerals, which make fish very useful for small children, the elderly and pregnant women.

A contraindication to the use of red mullet is individual intolerance.

Red mullet has a high protein content and very little fat, so it is almost impossible to gain weight from this fish. At the same time, red mullet is quite high in calories - 100 g of fish contains 150 kcal. But these calories only look threatening. In fact, red mullet fats contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are very beneficial for the nervous and cardiovascular systems. And the calorie content of protein does not bring extra pounds, but adds strength to the human body.

Dishes made from mullet allow you to quickly restore strength, and for pregnant women, young children and the elderly, red mullet is an indispensable product, as it contains a large amount of vitamins AA, PP, group B, C, macro- and microelements.

Red mullet is a delicate, delicious fish. Knowledgeable people say that by eating this goldfish, you can quickly restore your strength. Red mullet meat is very tasty, which is probably why the use of red mullet is endless. They say that fresh red mullet is almost impossible to spoil. Housewives of the Mediterranean cook fish soup from it, bake it in the oven, fry it in a frying pan, on the grill; no favorite spices will spoil the taste of red mullet. Red mullet is also good as an appetizer. It is used to make aspic, salt it, dry it, and smoke it.

A characteristic feature of red mullet is that it does not have bile, so it is not necessary to gut it, which greatly simplifies the process of preparing it. Red mullet liver is especially tender, soft, aromatic and, of course, very much appreciated by lovers of this fish.

In Mediterranean restaurants, the small mullet, about 20 cm, is more respected. The meat of the “young” mullet is considered more tender and tasty. Among all the fish of the Mediterranean Sea, red mullet is considered the most expensive and valuable fish delicacy.

To find red mullet, tourists have to try hard. It is usually found in restaurants and cafes at resorts in Russia and Ukraine, where red mullet dishes always come first. Basically they cook mullet with the head, but gutted. You can find on the menu there stewed mullet in white wine with spices and grape leaves, fried mullet in crushed breadcrumbs in melted butter (this is the recipe that was appreciated in Ukraine and Russia) and many other gourmet recipes.

In stores you can find red mullet canned in oil, which, by the way, is also a very tasty thing. But true connoisseurs and fish lovers will look for fishermen who often sell red mullet in markets. Risky for health, but tastier. And fishing tourists will definitely find out how and where to catch red mullet, so that they can later enjoy its freshest taste.

How to choose

If fishing is an uninteresting, boring, incomprehensible activity, and you really want to try the sultana, then you can buy it without any problems in stores or on the market.

In this case, you should adhere to the following rules:

• Before buying a mullet, make sure that it has two antennae, which are located on the lower jaw.
• Pay attention to the eyes, they should look forward or upward, but in no case downward. And the look should be clear, not dull.
• If the red mullet is really fresh, then when you smell it, you should not notice a pronounced smell of fish.
• Before buying, press the fish with your finger; if the fish is fresh, the indentation from your finger should quickly disappear.

Calories and nutritional value

Red mullet contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals. It includes the following extractive substances: glycogen, inositol, choline, creatine, carnosine, lactic acid. All these beneficial substances have a sedative effect and stimulate gastric secretion.

In addition, red mullet can boast of the presence of such minerals as: iron, potassium, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, chlorine, phosphorus. The highest concentration of these substances is found in fish bones. Thanks to its rich set of minerals, this fish, without a doubt, can be classified as a product that can ensure high-quality metabolism in the human body.

In addition, it is worth noting that in caviar, internal fat and liver fat, fat-soluble vitamins can be found in large quantities: A, B, E. Like any fish, red mullet contains pantothenic acid and vitamins B1 - B12. The calorie content of 100 grams of fried mullet is 160 kcal, raw meat – 115 kcal.

bait for red mullet

The success of catching red mullet depends on finding the habitats of the schools. However, it should be taken into account that on the sandy bottom the sultana moves a lot in search of food. To keep discovered fish in place and attract new schools, bait is sometimes used.

It can be prepared from a mixture of animal feed with the addition of bottom sand. For example, they take two or three kilograms of mussels, pound them on flat stones into small particles, mix them with a small amount of finely chopped earthworms and add soil in a ratio of 1:3. All this is mixed in a large container and then periodically thrown into the fishing area.

Crushed shrimp are also a very interesting bait option, although with such feeding there is a high risk of attracting a flock of small perch, horse mackerel and whiting (“haddock”) to the fishing site, which will ultimately make fishing unbearable. In any case, feeding at sea is an effective and promising method, but, unfortunately, little developed and poorly developed in practice.

Benefits of red mullet

It contains a lot of easily digestible, but at the same time high-calorie protein. Red mullet meat also contains a lot of phosphorus (as in the meat of almost all fish), magnesium, and B vitamins. When consumed by pregnant women and older people, their metabolism is normalized.

In general, this fish is useful in almost the same way as other edible fish. It has a beneficial effect on the heart and circulatory system, cleanses the blood of “bad” cholesterol, and normalizes hemoglobin levels. Antioxidants contained in fish meat strengthen the circulatory system, maintain its elasticity, and restore blood vessels. Frequent consumption of fish is useful for preventing health, protecting against diseases, infections and restoring immunity. It also has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, fighting various diseases caused by a lack of nutrients. Fish contains iodine content necessary to maintain a healthy thyroid gland. There are almost no carbohydrates in red mullet.

Red mullet is also useful for children, as it improves the still weak immune system and prevents skin diseases.

Etymology of the name

The name was borrowed into Russian through the Turkish (barbunya) from the Italian barbone - large beard, which comes from the Latin barbus - beard. The second name of the fish, Sultana, is also associated with the mustache, for only the ruler of the Muslims could have such a luxurious mustache.

In the Russian Empire, the word red mullet also meant potatoes[2].

Where does the red mullet live?

Photo: Black Sea red mullet

The species inhabits the seas belonging to the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. In Russia, it is widespread in the Black and Azov Seas. The Turks are actively fishing for red mullet in the Mediterranean Sea. Schools of fish prefer depths ranging from 15 to 30 meters. They most often choose muddy or sandy areas of the bottom - it is easiest for mullet to get food there. In some cases (very rarely), fish can also be found on rocks.

However, the question regarding the prevalence of this fish needs to be clarified. The thing is that the mullets we know are good - this is not one species, but a whole genus of fish of the mullet family, also popularly known as sultanas. In turn, this genus includes 4 species that differ little in external (so-called morphometric characteristics).

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But the species range varies significantly:

• mullet or common mullet (in Latin - Mullus barbatus). It is this that serves as a favorite delicacy for tourists. Distributed (mainly) in the Azov, Black and Mediterranean Seas, as well as near the eastern coast of the Atlantic Ocean;
• Mediterranean plume, also known as striped mullet (in Latin - Mullus surmuletus). Found (most often) in the Mediterranean, Black and Baltic Seas, as well as the Northeast Atlantic;
• golden mullet (Mullus auratus). Found exclusively in the Western Atlantic;
• Mullus argentinae (Argentine, South American mullet). The fish can be caught off the coasts of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina;
• Amateur fishermen confirm that in the vast majority of cases they meet and fish out red mullet at a depth of about 15-30 meters, but they remember cases when flocks of red mullet were discovered using an echo sounder 300 meters from the water surface.

Most often, the fish goes to such a significant depth with the onset of cold weather. She prefers to spend most of her time at the bottom. This is explained by the need to search for food - its food is found mainly in the bottom layer, so the red mullet very rarely rises from its favorite bottom. Here it is convenient for her to both get food and hide from predators - this is facilitated by the shape of the body and color. Invisible on the sandy bottom, it becomes easy prey in the water column and on the surface.

Now you know where the red mullet fish is found. Let's see what she eats.

Population and species status

The number of red mullet in the Black, Azov and Mediterranean Seas has recently been systematically declining - despite the fact that fishing for this fish is very, very weak (due to its low economic feasibility, explained by the small size of the fish and the difficulty of fishing it using commercial methods).

Ichthyologists explain the reduction in the population and range of red mullet by the following factors:

• a sharp increase in the number of predators, for which red mullet (and especially its caviar and fry) is a favorite delicacy. Scientists see the reason for this factor in the disruption of marine ecosystems;
• environmental disruption caused by industrial emissions, the maximum concentration of which occurs in coastal zones - the favorite habitat of red mullet;
• poaching red mullet. Despite the fact that the red mullet fishery is not particularly developed, many fishermen, wanting to please tourists with such a delicacy, resort to illegal fishing methods. You can also very often encounter catching red mullet during spawning.

In order to restore the population of this mustachioed delicacy, scientists have been proposing to ban its fishing altogether for years. But so far these measures have not been taken - the species is not in the Red Book (in any of the states), so the authorities believe that it is too early to sound the alarm, and it is very unprofitable to deny tourists the pleasure of eating such a fish. For example, in Italy there is a whole chain of restaurants - Porto Maltese, which has made a name for itself on red mullet dishes, so many guests of stunning Italian resorts visit these establishments first.

Red mullet is a valuable species of fish in gastronomic terms. In addition to the fact that it has an amazing taste, it contains a lot of useful substances, vitamins, micro and macroelements. Inhabiting mainly the coastal zone, the fish is an object of amateur fishing. It is amateur fishermen who deliver red mullet to smokehouses and fish shops, where guests of coastal cities can enjoy this delicacy. Due to the fact that in natural conditions many marine (ocean) inhabitants are not averse to seeing red mullet on their menu, the fish population is gradually declining - its adaptive potential does not allow it to cope with such increased interest.

General information

Red mullet (sultana) is a genus of fish from the red mullet family. It can reach 45 cm in length. Two long antennae that hang from the red mullet’s chin serve it to stir up sea sand and extract food. It lives in the Black, Mediterranean, Azov Seas, as well as in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Loves muddy or soft sandy soil, but can also be found on rocky bottoms. Usually the mullet lives at a depth of 15-30 meters, but sometimes it is found at 100-300 meters.

The mullet's body is laterally compressed and elongated. The caudal fin is forked, and the dorsal and anal fins are short. The fish's head is large with a sharply descending, almost vertical snout. The eyes are set high. The mouth is small, located at the bottom of the head, equipped with small bristle teeth. The body color is uneven: the base is red, the belly is silver, and the fins are light yellow. The scales are large and easy to clean.

The mullet tastes like a delicious and tender fish; the meat has exceptional taste. It is also valued for its special fat - it is very tender, has a unique taste and has a wonderful aroma.

How to choose

When choosing a mullet, be sure to make sure that it has antennae. Smell the fish; it should not have a strong fishy smell. The eyes of fresh fish are clear, and with gentle pressure on the body, the resulting dent should quickly disappear.

How to store

Fresh red mullet should be placed on ice and stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days. Frozen fish can be stored in the freezer for no more than three months.

Reflection in culture

The name “red mullet” has a long history, as it comes from the Turkish barbunya, which also comes from the Italian word barbone - “big beard”. Sultana is the second name of the fish associated with a mustache, since only sultans could wear a luxurious mustache.

Red mullet was very popular in ancient Rome. The Romans especially valued large specimens; they bought them for huge sums of money. The name “mullah” was popular, and payment was made in silver, on a weight-for-weight basis.

Before directly preparing the mullet, in ancient times, cooks were ordered to bring it to the dining room in a transparent vessel so that guests could look at this spectacle: the original silver-gray color of the fish turns into carmine, and in the air, after catching, the play of colors disappears.

Calorie content of red mullet

Despite its low calorie content of 117 kcal, raw mullet is considered an energetically valuable product. It can be safely consumed as a dietary product, as it contains a large amount of protein. Red mullet cooked in the heat has a slightly higher calorie content - 150 kcal. If you include it in your diet, it is best to boil or stew it.

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Nutritional value per 100 grams:

Natural enemies of red mullet

Photo: What a red mullet looks like

The massive extermination of this fish by natural enemies (not even humans) is one of the main reasons for the gradual decline in its population. Problems (and the main ones) begin from a very young age. Caviar and small, newly born and poorly adapted to the harsh reality of the red mullet are an exquisite delicacy for marine/ocean inhabitants. Why, there’s always a “whole line” of people waiting for this delicacy. Even herbivorous fish are not averse to eating mullet caviar.

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But adult red mullet are of interest mainly for medium- and small-sized predatory fish. Taking into account the specifics of the red mullet’s lifestyle (it always actively seeks food during the daytime, raking the sand with its antennae, which give it away), this fish is hunted exclusively by marine diurnal predators.

That is, its main enemies are sea rooster, katran, horse mackerel, ruff and flounder. Separately, it is necessary to concentrate attention on the latter - being a bottom dweller, it is the flounder that destroys the bulk of the eggs of the red mullet and its young. After all, it is easiest for her to detect bottom-dwelling fish like herself - especially if the prey openly “gives itself away” with its careless behavior.