Mustache (fish). Mustache: photo and description

Mustache is a fairly large fish, it can grow up to 1 meter and gain weight of 12 kg. It is actually dreamed of catching many. It represents a serious sporting interest, since it has a strong body. It should be noted that all the beetles are clever and smart. Just so on the hook they will not fall, even if the bait will be one of their favorite treats.

The entire genus of fish of the Karpov family differs from barbel. Often it is confused with gudgeon, but on closer examination it can still be identified. All thanks to the tendrils that are located on the cheeks of this representative. Obviously, it was thanks to them that he got his name.

Description

One of the largest representatives of the Karpov family is the barbel fish. A photo of it on the background of a person, a boat or another relatively large object will help to make sure of it.

Mustaches have an elevated back. The body after the dorsal fins begins to flatten, so the main meat is located closer to the head. He is also distinguished by thick lips, as he takes food at the bottom. And as a result of the fact that they are constantly rubbing against pebbles, they can be damaged. Antennae, located on both sides of the lips, are kind of radar. If the fish notices food, then it will linger on a particular section of the river.

Dorsal fin short, but quite high. He and the one that is located in the tail, have a gray tint. The others are a bit reddish. The body has no spots, it is even, silvery in color. But sometimes there are specimens with brownish scales.

The eyes of the fish are very small. This is due to the fact that when looking for food, it relies more on its antennae-radar than on vision. They sit deep and are unlikely to somehow help during the search for food, spawning or ordinary swimming.

Distribution area

On the territory of Russia is very common fish barbel, a photo of fishing enthusiasts with a long-awaited trophy is often adorned with themed sites. But the habitat is not oriented to the whole country. In cold regions, barbel is very rare, if not completely absent. This is due to the fact that at minus water temperature, he simply can not feed. It is difficult for him to get food there, where its availability is minimal.

Also considered fish can be found virtually throughout Europe. The exceptions are England and northern Scandinavia. Also barbel is not found in southern Italy. This is again due to the cold climatic conditions or the lack of suitable water bodies.

Habitat

Many fish that are part of the Karpov family live mostly in rivers. But sometimes they can be found in lakes or backwaters. Such conditions allow you to feed only a few representatives. Therefore, if the fisherman is lucky enough to catch a mustache in the lake, then it will be incredibly large.

In a small time period, the population of this fish markedly decreased. The fault is that the rivers are too polluted and the pursuit of trophies. But now the population is being systematically restored. Today you can catch such fish in narrow rivers with an uneven bottom.

If you can find a barbel in another pond, except the river, it is only because he was too carried away by the journey while searching for food. If there is no current, the fish will not be able to reproduce, as the conditions for this are absent. However, in quiet pools and ponds there is a lot of food, so the biggest trophies are in them. Needless to say that catching a barbel will be easier in the river?

Favorite place for fish is the bottom of the pond at a depth of 5-6 meters, which is necessarily covered with pebbles or coarse sand. In this case, barbel will be easily fed and have all the conditions for spawning.

Food

Mustache is a fish, the menu of which is very diverse. But this is not the result of an abundance of favorite treats. As the barbel feeds on everything they find at the bottom of the river, a large menu is conditioned by the variety of organic life.

Most often this fish, which is part of the Karpov family, eats caviar of other river inhabitants, as well as larvae. But sometimes it comes across small shellfish, which also make up the diet. Mustaches will refuse food only if it does not fit in the mouth.

This fish does not disdain with various wastes. If the remnants of animals are thrown into the river after the slaughterhouse, then the barbel will live in it clover.

Often, the fish eats crustaceans or algae, but not all, but only those that will be to her liking. Smaller river inhabitants can also become prey to barbel. In a word, he will eat everything that he finds on the bottom, even if it is a small fish or waste from an abattoir.

Lifestyle

Mustache is a fish that only occasionally prefers the company. Usually she leads a solitary lifestyle. But she has to step over her principles for the period of winter stay and spawning. Then the barbel sticks into the jambs.

The food of the fish is oriented at a late night time. Sometimes she continues to swim in search of food in the early morning. In addition, for day-hunting, barbel can go out in autumn or spring, when the temperature is too low at night.

For the winter, all the fish in question are hiding in burrows or hollows, since the water in them is warmer. At this time, they have almost nothing to eat, so they do not spend on this process of strength and do not actually leave shelter.

Predispositions to migration in fish are not observed. She will swim in search of a new home only if her river is too polluted.

In the daytime, the barbel is descending to the bottom. In addition, the larger the fish, the greater the depth it will take in order to feel normal. The greatest activity it reaches in the pre-dawn hours, then it is necessary to catch it.

Reproduction

Mustache is a fish that reaches sexual maturity in 2 years, but females become ready to spawn a bit later. An important condition for mating to occur is the corresponding water temperature. It should fluctuate approximately in the range of 14-20 degrees. This means that the favorable time for spawning is the end of spring or the beginning of summer.

During one spawning process the female leaves 1-2.5 thousand eggs. Most of them immediately have large enough sizes, from 2 millimeters. It is important to remember that caviar is poisonous. Moreover, during the spawning period it is highly not recommended to eat its meat.

After leaving the eggs, the fry sweeps downward. But after a few months, having got stronger, the juveniles come to the surface. Further, before reaching sexuality, the fish keeps large flocks. Only after spawning it goes to a secluded lifestyle.

Catching barbel

Considered fish of the Karpov family, despite all the difficulties, after mastering some skills, it starts to be caught fairly well. The main thing - to choose the right bait. Most often, fishermen use larvae or minced meat. The bait can not be used in large quantities, especially if fishing takes place during the day. If the mustache notices a large piece of meat, then it will be frightened. When fishing is oriented at night, the fish will rely only on flair and can grab a large piece.

The same can be said about lure. Only small food will be eaten by barbel fish. The Karp family generally does not like large baits, nor is complementary feeding.

You can catch with a fishing rod, but you should make sure that the rigging is strong. Mustache is aggressive, it can simply break free if it is not cut in time.

Conclusion

Thus, we examined barbel. It is a fish of the Cyprinidae family, which causes sporting interest among lovers of fishing. It also has tasty and nutritious meat. The main thing is that it is not caught in the spawn, because then it is poisonous. There have not been any fatalities yet, but it's not worth the risk.

I must say that all the beetles are very tenacious. This allows fishermen not to use buckets or storage tanks. It's enough just to put the fish in the wet grass.