A sea cock is a fish capable of

The sea cock is a predatory fish, belonging to the group of scorpion-shaped. The second name is trigla. It can simultaneously be considered ugly and beautiful and, no doubt, exotic. The pectoral fins are large, resemble wings. From them go down three unconnected finger-like "feathers," the so-called "legs". Head large, flattened at the sides. A huge mouth with a dissected upper lip, hanging over the lower one, is located across the head. A huge forehead is not at all characteristic of fish. Her eyes are large, mobile, above them there are sharp spikes, performing a protective function.

The sea cock has a spindle-shaped body. Along it in the two lines stretch spines, between which is the dorsal fin, consisting of a high prickly anterior part and a low one, reaching the tail of the rear. The forked tail is well developed.

In the color there is a predominance of brick-red flowers, and closer to the tail part - brown. The abdominal area is silvery white or light pink. Gill fins folded to the tail, outside they are the same color as the belly. In expanded form, the upper surface turns into purple in lilac tones. On the edge of the fins there is a blue border. This unusual appearance has a sea cock. The photo shows all its non-standard.

"Legs" are indispensable during the hunt for sedentary organisms. Hunt predator and fish, as a rule, at a depth of about 20 m. While waiting for the victim, the sea cock lays down on the bottom or gets into algae. The mullets, digging in the sand, and shrimp are the best food for him. Seeing the prey, he immediately rushes at her, pushing off the bottom with "feet." With rapid movement fins fold and do not interfere. Filling the belly, exotic fish rest in algae.

The sea cock not only swims, but also flies. Wanting to drive small fry, he jumps out of the water, dissolves the "wings" and flies over the surface of the sea. After overcoming 15-18 meters, he falls into the water with a spray. The flight speed reaches 40 km / h.

It's amazing that a sea cock can make sounds similar to snoring, grunting, rumbling or grumbling. This he gives out his location. Sounds he publishes throughout the year, and not just during the mating season and spawning. For this ability it is also called a sea cuckoo.

Sexually mature males of the sea rooster become to three years, females to four. They spawn in the summer at a depth of 15-20 m. Females spawn several times (up to 4) per season. The eggs can be up to 14 thousand, they ripen a week, then the fry hatch. Unbelievable, but the cubs at the age of 2-3 weeks are exact copies of the parents. Young animals lead a benthonic lifestyle.

The sea cock can grow up to 75 cm and reach 5.5 kg. But in the Black Sea, as a rule, caught up to 35 cm in length and weighing up to 1 kg.

Fish usually stay in flocks at a depth of 5 to 60 m. Preference is given to areas of the seas with sandy bottom and aquatic vegetation. At a cooling off they go to a depth of 100 m.

The French and the Turks regard the meat of the sea cock as tender, similar in taste to the paired chicken. Perhaps, this is what caused its name, and not at all from appearance and "voice."