Black Sea mullet (common sultanka): description, photo, fishing

Sea inhabitants are of interest to many people. Some admire the contemplation of the beauty of the underwater world, spend a lot of time and energy on swimming with scuba. Others appreciate the minutes alone with the fishing rod, rejoice in unusual or rich catch. And there is a category of people for whom the fish represents exclusively gastronomic interest. They are valued only for its nutritional qualities.

In this article we will talk about an amazing fish, which is of the greatest interest for anglers, divers and gourmets? Bright color, interesting habits and unusual taste - all this can be said about the creature called the Black Sea mullet.

A mullet or a sultan?

Fish, which is commonly called a mullet, belongs to the family of barabulovs. Literally its name can be translated as "big beard", which is due to the presence of outstanding whiskers on the head of the sea inhabitant. By the way, it has another name - an ordinary sultan. So the fish was nicknamed by the Turks. And for good reason. The mullet is so unusual and delicious that in ancient times a simple person did not have the opportunity to taste it. For such an act he was threatened with serious punishment, up to and including deprivation of his head. The whole catch was intended for the Sultan's table. Hence the unofficial name. By the way, how the fish looks like a red mullet in the photo presented in this article.

How to identify a red mullet?

The appearance of a fish with an unusual name distinguishes it from other inhabitants of the seas. Dimensions it is small, in length reaches a maximum of 30 centimeters. The body of the creation is oblong, slightly compressed from the sides. Highlights the red mullet color: the back and sides are painted in pink and red hues, and the stomach - in light yellow. The marine inhabitant has an amazing feature: after the sultan dies, she changes color. Immediately after the harvest, the sea fish of a red mullet becomes bright red, after 4-8 hours its color turns pale.

Also, the distinctive feature of the fish is the presence of long antennae. They help her to find food at the bottom of water bodies, among sand and seashells. At the same time, the fish are rapidly releasing air bubbles, for which they received their name - a mullet. Photos of these amazing creatures show us their simple, but very cute appearance.

Where can you find the fish for a mullet?

The habitat of the fish of the family of barabulovs is the Mediterranean Sea. And also those saline ponds that adjoin to it: the Black and the Azov. Barabul fishes are bottom. Find them easiest near the shore. They move in flocks and hide in the rocks, looking for food in the sand and shells. The Black Sea mullet selects the coastal stripes of the Crimea. She prefers dwelling in the area of Balaklava, Chersonesos, Fiolent and Tarkhankut. Also, experienced fishermen talk about a large number of these creatures in the Kerch Strait. But the Taganrog Sultanka Bay is avoided.

Features of behavior

Ordinary sultanka, in addition to its bright appearance, has a characteristic behavior. This makes it an object of searches for both experienced divers and fans of watching the underwater world. If you find a fish in the stones, find it behind the search and absorption of food, you can watch it endlessly. The Black Sea mullet does not have any shyness. You can approach it if you move slowly and without sudden movements. Looking for food for themselves, the mullets move along the very bottom, leaving on the sand characteristic grooves of the mustache. It is these tracks that help experienced divers to find places for the accumulation of sultans.

If you take a worm with you and carefully propose found mullets, you can observe how they will deal with him immediately. An amazing feature of this fish, which is noted by inveterate fishermen, is the presence of a special smell. Incredibly, but the caught mullet does not smell of a specific smell, but ... cucumbers! This feature is another fish - smelt, and in a more pronounced form. So if you are lucky enough to catch a sultana, be sure to sniff - for completeness of impressions.

Adaptation to the present

One of the distinctive features of the behavior of the barabule is their strong reaction to water pollution. Any manifestation of human activity can not but affect the condition of adjacent water bodies, especially coastal waters. The development of sea transport, an annual increase in the resort area with a large number of hotels and hotels fully reflects the natural conditions. Every year, human activities significantly affect the pollution of coastal waters, which the mullet loves so much. Black Sea water is no exception. Small fishes are found in the usual places.

This was one of the reasons for the fact that a single fisherman is not hunted by solitary fishermen. Catch is produced only by networks on an industrial scale.

It's nice to see

For fans of contemplating the beauty of the underwater world, watching the mullets - a complete pleasure. This fish in its color and appearance is not inferior to the exotic inhabitants of the Red Sea. And her behavior touches every diver. It is best to observe the mullets in the aqualung, since these fish prefer a bottom-line way of life and a rather large depth. Find a sultan who is looking for food - it's easy. It moves between clusters of sea stones, from an island to an islet. Food is searched with the help of its mustache, swarming with them in the bottom sand. It is these processes that leave a trace in the form of a furrow, which can reach a length of up to 15 meters. The vigilance of the barabule can be so weakened that it is possible to catch it with bare hands.

To fish or catch?

Great interest for fishermen at all times was represented by the Black Sea mullet. How to catch it correctly, not every grudge knows. First of all, it is necessary to know that hunting for a sultan is necessary only when the water gets warm enough. This period comes usually after mid-May and lasts until the end of September. Time also matters. It's best to start fishing no later than 4-5 in the morning. After 9 to go out and wait for the Black Sea mullet to bite, it does not make sense.

Given that these fish prefer to hide and move along the very bottom, the fishing rod should be chosen bottom or float. Bait for a mullet is different. But the most delicious for sultanas will be sea worms. Having planted one of them on a fishing tackle, it is necessary to leave it on the very bottom or in sand, expecting that the being will appear there in search of food. If you start fishing in May and early June, then you can not be baffled at all by choosing a bait. It is enough to dig earthworms - all with an appetite will swallow a mullet. Sultanka at this time differs illegibility in food because of a severe hunger, so he eats almost everything.

How to fish on the bottom?

In a situation where you do not hurry to peck a mullet, you can stir it up a little or tease it. For this, the tackle must be carefully moved along the bottom. Do this as follows: bait, planted on the bottom fishing rod slightly lifted, taken away slightly to the side and lowered again. And so several times in a row. If all other conditions of catching the mullets are observed, and the place and time of fishing are correctly chosen, then after such reception the sultan will not stand and will definitely bite.

It is worth noting that, despite the small timidity of the fish, it is very careful. This must be remembered by planting the bait on the hook. Small in size, it must be thrust into the very edge of the worm, so that at the slightest cut the mullet does not fall off. Photos in various specialist literature for anglers show approximate gear that you need to choose for fishing sultanka.

And what about the nutritional value?

In the old days, it was not for nothing that the barbulka was left for the sultans. The meat of this fish is very tasty, regardless of the way it is cooked. Many gourmets consider the mullet to be the most nutritious of the Black Sea fish. But the taste is an individual matter, but the facts are an objective thing. And they say the following. Meat of a mullet is considered dietary: this fish is not too fat, but at the same time it is nutritious enough.

Replenishing the ration with a mullet, you can make up for the lack of polyunsaturated fatty acids, Omega-3 and protein. In addition, sultana meat contains a large set of extremely important trace elements and vitamins. Among them, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, iodine; Vitamins A, E, B1, B9. Fishermen appreciate the mullet for an exceptionally rich and tasty soup. The sultanak is also baked, fried, boiled and smoked. To taste, the smoked and salted mullet are similar to the roach. In addition, canned fish from this fish and even stews are very popular. Although not in all grocery stores, you can find a similar product.

Black Sea mullet or sultanka common - amazing in its properties sea fish. It lives in accessible to each region of the Black and Azov seas. Hence, to meet her at will is not difficult. Interested in a mullet can everyone - and lovers of underwater surveillance, and avid fishermen, and connoisseurs of delicious and healthy food.