Where does pink salmon live? Pink salmon are interesting features of a bright representative of salmon fish. Properties and composition of pink salmon fish

Pink salmon fish, along with red fish, chum salmon, coho salmon, chinook salmon and masu salmon, belongs to the Salmon family. This is one of the most valuable and famous fish existing in nature. Despite its small size (the smallest among the species of the Salmon family), this inhabitant of the waters is the most abundant fish of this family.

Where is pink salmon found, which is one of the unique products that is very loved by domestic and consumers?

General information

Many people know that pink salmon is not very cheap. But nutritionists recommend periodically including dishes from this fish in the diet of both children and adults (at least once a week).

Pink salmon, which has not yet spawned, has beneficial properties and the greatest value, since in fresh river water it loses its more pleasant taste, and with it the beautiful pink tint of the meat.

Brief description and features of fish

Before we find out where pink salmon live (in which seas) and what are the features of its lifestyle, we will give a short description.

This fish, unlike other fish, has another fin located between the tail and the fin on the back. Among other features, there is one more - she has a whitish mouth and large teeth, and there are also large black spots on her back. In addition, you can see a hump on the back of pink salmon, which is how its name came about.

The peculiarity lies in where pink salmon are found (details below in the article). This type of fish is also interesting because all the larvae that are born are females. Sexual differentiation does not occur immediately.

One more amazing fact is that male pink salmon are capable of once beautiful fish turn into amazing, ugly creatures: hooked teeth grow on their jaws, and a large hump appears on their back. Among ichthyological scientists, there are still disputes about what is associated with such a “nuptial plumage”, which is acquired by all varieties of fish from the Salmon family. Some argue that this attracts a female, while others believe that this "nuptial outfit" is associated with by river life. There are some other points of view, but there is still no unanimous opinion.

Where do pink salmon live?

Its habitat is water Pacific Ocean. It is found in the area of ​​Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka and off the coast of Japan. Sometimes it can be seen off the coast of the Arctic Ocean. Its main habitats are the American (up to Alaska) and Asian shores of the Pacific Ocean. The Sea of ​​Okhotsk is distinguished by its rich catch.

Fish rise to spawn in the following areas: Lena, Sacramento, Indigirka, Colville and Mackenzie. Found on the Commander Islands, the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu ( Northern part) etc.

Answering the question of where pink salmon is found - in the sea or in the river, we can say that in terms of habitat this fish is transitional, traveling from the sea to the river in connection with spawning. Moreover, while in the sea, the fine-scaled body of the fish has a beautiful silver color, and numerous small dark spots are scattered on the tail fin. When entering the river, the “outfit” of the fish changes: the dark spots that were previously located only on the tail cover the head and entire body, merging into a single one by the time of spawning. black spot.

Biology

As noted above, in comparison with other species of Salmon, pink salmon is a medium-sized fish. The maximum recorded size is 68 centimeters, weight reaches up to 3 kg. Pink salmon matures and grows quite quickly. In the second year of life, the fish is quite ready to reproduce.

Pink salmon, obeying their instinct of their native river (or homing), strives into the depths of the riverbed large rivers and the lower reaches of their tributaries. Reaching the rifts to places without silt and with a pebble bottom, the fish lays its eggs. The most best places for them - rocky shallow waters.

It should be noted that pink salmon, due to the weakness of their instinct to return to their native river (where they were born), can use another natural body of water for spawning. Moreover, in some rivers the mouths sometimes become impassable due to storm sediments, and for 1-2 years the fish are not able to enter there.

Reproduction

The breeding season of pink salmon lasts from August until almost mid-October. At the end of April, larvae appear from the eggs (diameter up to 6 mm). Then their path goes to the ocean downstream. The juveniles, without swimming far into the depths of sea waters, consume small crustaceans in shallow water for about a month.

Where are pink salmon found in Russia?

In Russia, pink salmon are found in the coastal waters of two oceans: the Pacific and the Arctic. It spawns in the waters of the following rivers:

  • Amur;
  • Indigirka;
  • Kolyma;
  • Lena.

It should be noted that pink salmon prefer cold, and temperatures above +25.8 degrees are detrimental to it. The best temperature for it is in the range of 5.5-14.5°.

Karelia

Where are pink salmon found in Karelia? There are more than 60 thousand natural lakes and almost 30 thousand rivers in this region, and almost every one of these reservoirs contains fish. This is truly a fish and wild area, allowing fishermen to enjoy their hobby to the fullest.

Among the reservoirs of this region there are several lakes and rivers, which are the most popular among both visitors and local fishermen. These are the northern regions of Karelia, where pink salmon and chum salmon are found. It should be noted that Ladoga, the largest Karelian lake, is home to approximately sixty species of fish, the main of which are:

  • pike;
  • roach;
  • zander;
  • trout;
  • salmon.

Pink salmon that live in the White Sea (acclimatized Pacific salmon) spawn where salmon do, for example in the Keret River. Pink salmon and chum salmon began to swim into the rivers flowing into the White Sea (for example, into the Shuya River).

Ichthyologists have noted an unusual and curious feature of pink salmon: this fish most often visits the rivers of Primorye to spawn in odd-numbered years, and the rivers of Kamchatka and Amur in even-numbered years.

Research scientists have very different opinions on this matter, but there is still no consensus on this issue.

Finally

An interesting feature of this species of fish is that it does not have specific subspecies. They are not formed for a number of reasons:

  1. Individuals of different populations are not isolated from each other - they interbreed with each other due to weakly expressed homing in this Salmon species.
  2. During all periods of its life cycle, pink salmon has excellent resistance to the influence of many environmental factors. external environment.
  3. Isolation of subspecies with the acquisition of new features and external features prevents the uniformity of living conditions throughout the distribution of the species.

Generations of pink salmon fish are genetically separated from each other (they do not overlap during reproduction), due to the fact that they mature quite quickly (they are ready to reproduce after reaching about 1.5-2 years) and, unfortunately, die after the first spawning.

Instructions

Don't try to select fish based on their size. No matter what anyone tells you, there is no pattern in size and male pink salmon. There are deviations in both directions. Although females rarely reach too large sizes. Their weight is usually close to the average 1.2 - 1.8 kg. But males can be both very large and very modest in size.

Pay attention to the color of the fish. As usual in , males are brighter colored than females. Male pink salmon has a brighter coloring, while females are usually inconspicuous, gray, with less pronounced color transitions.

It is rarely possible to carefully compare fish in a store, because the fish on sale, as a rule, are freshly frozen, covered with frost or frozen ice.

Carefully examine the head of the selected fish. Males are forced to fight for female during , therefore head male more predatory. Thanks to evolution, males pink salmon acquired elongated curved jaws and large teeth. The female's head is short, rounded, smooth and does not bend upward as much as that of male. The nose of a female, compared to the nose male seems dumb.

In addition to the head, pay attention to the caudal fin. Tail male it seems shorter because it is almost flat. The rear fin of the female is more elongated in length, as she needs greater maneuverability during the spawning period.

If you look at pink salmon from the muzzle, you will notice that the body male flatter. The female's sides and back appear better nourished.

note

Please note that pink salmon fishing begins in June and continues until September. Therefore, if you are offered fresh fish in April, do not believe it. This specimen remained frozen for at least seven months.

Sources:

  • how to choose pink salmon

Fresh chilled pink salmon Only residents of the Far East can afford it. The rest have to be content with what the fish market offers us. It should be noted that the assortment is quite diverse. This can be pink salmon fillet, back, abdominal part or a whole fish.

Instructions

If you buy a whole one, please note that it can be of two types: gutted and ungutted. Usually the price of the latter is lower. But keep in mind that almost 40% of the fish is waste: head, fins, entrails. Therefore, focus on the fish dish you are planning. Pink salmon with the head is perfect for fish soup or stuffing. And fish without a head would be appropriate for pickling.

When purchasing, you should consider it carefully. You need to look inside the abdomen. Its color should be pink and in no case yellow. Also look at the head, tail, Special attention pay attention to the gills. One sign that fish is starting to spoil is a greenish color to the gills. You should not pay attention to the cloudy eyes of a fish, because they cannot be different for a fish. And a dried tail is another sign that the fish has been stored for a long time. The pink salmon skin should fit tightly to the meat and should not be damaged or dirty.

If you prefer pink salmon fillet, then remember that the meat must be pink. And if there is a white fillet on the counter, you know that it is frozen. You definitely won’t be able to make a juicy and tender dish from it.

There is a concept called “broken fish”. Such fish are characterized by spots that look like bruises. They appear from contact with the network. After all, fish are taken out of the water in tons, and therefore there is a lot of pressure. This is where all the injuries come from. “Broken” fish tastes no different. True, it can slightly spoil the appearance of the dish you have prepared. But this is easy, cutting off the “injured” areas with a knife.

Pink salmon is the most numerous and smallest salmon. Meat pink salmon Although it is slightly inferior to most Pacific salmon, it is still a very tasty and nutritious product. In stores you can buy pink salmon either frozen or chilled, smoked or salted. Males pink salmon fatter than females, but in females you can find tasty caviar. So how can you tell them apart when purchasing?

Instructions

The female is usually smaller in size male. Some males pink salmon can reach 4–4.5 kg in weight, while average weight females 1.5–2 kg. But in fact, this is not an indicator, since the size of the fish depends on its location; in some regions and size male maybe only 350-500 g.

The female's meat is generally drier than the meat male. But this sign can only be determined by tasting the fish meat. By appearance, especially if the fish is frozen, it is impossible to tell whether it has meat or not.

Accurately distinguish in the store male pink salmon from a female can be determined by their coloring. If you compare her, you can see that the female, as is often the case in nature, has a more inconspicuous appearance. She has smoother outlines and color transitions, in general she is gray and rustic, while the male, on the contrary, has a brighter and rougher appearance.

Another reliable way to distinguish a female from male pink salmon is theirs, or rather the shape of their heads. U male the head is more elongated and . The jaws are quite elongated and seem to be bent upward. Externally muzzle male has a rather predatory appearance. The female's head is slightly smaller, more rounded and with a much blunter nose.

Also in the female pink salmon the back fin has a slight elongation, whereas in male this same fin is absolutely smooth, which is why it is slightly smaller in size.

If male pink salmon If you have managed to attend spawning, you can easily identify it by its back. In addition to the fact that both males and females become polished and acquire a brown-white color, males, among other things, when they enter fresh water, acquire a different body shape. A kind of characteristic hump appears on their back (hence the fish itself). The back of the females remains flat and fairly straight.

At fish markets you can often find uneviscerated pink salmon. If you are interested in purchasing a female with caviar, then you will need to memorize it distinctive features.

You will need

  • – encyclopedia of fish
  • - Internet access

Instructions

Pay attention to the color of the fish if you are going to purchase fresh or chilled fish. Without ice, the color of the scales is lighter, and even with the naked eye you can understand that some fish have a thick color of dark shades. As a rule, these are males. In turn, females have lighter, more faded scales. The difference is especially visible on the back: males have a brighter gradient from the back to the abdomen, while in females it is smoother.

Identify the presumptives and the female. We will need a male in order to confirm our guesses. Place the two fish so that their sides and edge of the gills touch. Look, the fish has the shorter nose. Theoretically, the shortest-headed individual will be the female. In addition, the female's head also has a more round shape. The male's jaw is more protruding and predatory.

Turn the fish belly up and take a closer look. If you choose fish, try melting the edge of the ice on a small area of ​​the belly with your index finger. You need to see if there is a pinkish tint on the abdomen that is characteristic of females.

If you choose fresh or chilled fish, ask the seller for permission to press on the belly. If you feel density when you lightly touch the abdomen, then most likely there is caviar in it. In females that were caught before spawning, eggs often come out involuntarily.

Turn the fish over and if the hole on the belly is widened and surrounded by a bright pink or reddish halo, then this most likely also indicates that caviar is in the belly.

Find images of females in specialized fish farming literature or on the Internet if it is difficult for you to distinguish the color shades of the scales or visually determine the shape. Having studied the images of females with, it will be easier for you to find a fertilized individual on the counter. As a last resort, take the advice of the seller, he will probably give good advice based on experience.

In stores, pink salmon can be bought both frozen and chilled. You can find delicious caviar in females. So how do you find a female with eggs?

Pink salmon- fish of the salmon family. She is a representative of the Pacific salmon genus. Pink salmon is the smallest and most common representative of this genus. This fish is credited with a lot of beneficial properties. It can prolong a person’s life, prevent heart attack and cancer.

Pink salmon not only have one of the most high performance Omega-3, it also contains a ton of other vitamins and minerals. According to representatives of the Department of Fish and wildlife in Washington, pink salmon - Pacific fish. The average weight of an adult is 1.2–2.2 kg. Wild pink salmon live off the coasts of Alaska, Washington, Oregon and California. This fish is one of the healthiest sources of protein.

1. Improves overall well-being.
Pink salmon contains a large number of vitamin D. 100 g of fish will cover daily requirement in this vitamin. This is important because vitamin D deficiency is linked to many diseases, from cancer and multiple sclerosis to rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. Most residents of our country suffer from vitamin D deficiency, since throughout the year we have more cloudy days than sunny days, and vitamin D is synthesized in the body thanks to the sun. Therefore, be sure to include pink salmon in your diet to replenish your reserves of this vitamin, especially in winter.

2. Strengthens the skeletal system.
Researchers have found that regularly consuming omega-3 fatty acids helps prevent osteoporosis. Researchers at Ohio State University found that women with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids in their blood were less likely to experience fractures. Inflammation promotes resorption - the process of destruction - of bone tissue. Since pink salmon is a natural anti-inflammatory food, it is a great way to strengthen your skeletal system and avoid osteoporosis.

3. Provides cognitive health.
Omega-3 rich foods have been shown to enhance various brain functions, including improved memory. Additionally, the vitamins A, D, and selenium in pink salmon help protect the nervous system from age-related damage and may act as an antidepressant. Research shows that long-term consumption of pink salmon will help prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease and reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

4. Prevent ADHD in children.
ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Research shows that children who regularly consume pink salmon have the same cognitive health benefits as their parents. Various studies show that the inclusion of pink salmon in the diet of children preschool age prevents symptoms of ADHD, and improves academic performance in schoolchildren. Concentration also increases and memory improves.

5. Strengthens the heart.
Being rich in omega-3 fatty acids, pink salmon helps reduce chronic inflammation and the risk of atherosclerosis, hypertension and stroke. Regarding dosage, a study published by the School of Medicine and Pharmacology (University of Western Australia) reports:

“Health authorities currently recommend at least two fatty fish meals per week. This amounts to approximately 500 mg of EPA and DHA per day (two key omega-3s fatty acid). Eating pink salmon helps lower cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

6. Improves vision.
Eating pink salmon helps reduce dry eye syndrome and age-related symptoms of macular degeneration, which is one of the causes of irreversible blindness. Omega-3s are also thought to improve drainage of aqueous humor and reduce the risk of glaucoma and high pressure in the eyeball.

7. Protects against cancer.
Based on 2000 reviews scientific works, devoted to omega-3 fatty acids and cancer, we can conclude the following: omega-3 fatty acids can have a profound effect not only in preventing cancer, but also in fighting existing cancerous tumors. It should be noted that some of these studies show that cancer patients usually experience significant improvement even by eating pink salmon once a week.

Benefits for women

8. Stabilizes hormonal background.
Pink salmon normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland and central nervous system. 150 g of pink salmon meat per day, 2 times a week, can even out a woman’s hormonal levels. Omega-3 fatty acids will ease the symptoms of PMS and menopause. They normalize the menstrual cycle and provide relief from painful menstruation.

Benefits for the skin

9. Rejuvenates the skin.
Thanks to high level Omega-3 fats in pink salmon, eating this fish will help restore skin elasticity. Additionally, the carotenoid antioxidant astaxanthin found in pink salmon can significantly reduce the effects of free radical damage that causes premature aging. Dr. Perricone, a world-renowned dermatologist, recommends that his patients consume pink salmon three times a week for more healthy skin. Thanks to the inclusion of fish in the diet, the skin will acquire an even tone, become soft and smooth.

Benefits for hair

10. Healthy, smooth hair.
The fatty acids contained in pink salmon nourish the hair follicles from the inside, making hair smooth, strong and healthy. They also repair damaged strands and prevent the formation of split ends.

Harm and contraindications

1. There may be Negative consequences overuse.
With excessive consumption of pink salmon, the production of hormones can become too active, which will irreversibly lead to dysfunction of the thyroid gland. Experts recommend consuming no more than 150 grams of pink salmon per day, no more than three times a week.

2. Possible individual intolerance.
Do not eat pink salmon if you have an individual intolerance to seafood, as well as hypersensitivity to their components. If you have been diagnosed with chronic liver disease, or an excess of iodine or phosphorus in the body, then consult your doctor before adding pink salmon to your diet.

3. Causes problems with the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
If you have gastrointestinal problems or liver problems, do not use salted fish. In this case, it is better to steam or grill it. Eating pink salmon fried in oil can also cause gastrointestinal and liver diseases. In addition, fried foods accumulate harmful cholesterol in the body, which can lead to blockage of blood vessels and the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Excessively salted and peppered fish can cause the formation of ulcers or gastritis.

4. Contraindicated for certain diseases.
Do not eat pink salmon if you have diseases of the urinary system. During pregnancy, pink salmon can be consumed in strictly limited quantities, and it is better to avoid introducing it as complementary food for a baby. Do not eat pink salmon at night; excessive consumption leads to swelling of the limbs.

Chemical composition of the product

Nutritional value of pink salmon (100 g) and percentage of daily value:

  • The nutritional value
  • Vitamins
  • Macronutrients
  • Microelements
  • calories 140 kcal - 9.83%;
  • proteins 20.5 g - 25%;
  • fats 6.5 g - 10%;
  • carbohydrates 0 g - 0%;
  • dietary fiber 0 g - 0%;
  • water 71.8 g - 2.8%.
  • And 30 mcg - 3.3%;
  • B1 0.2 mg - 13.3%;
  • B2 0.16 mg - 8.9%;
  • B4 94.6 mg - 18.9%;
  • B5 0.75 mg -15%;
  • B6 0.611 mg - 30.6%;
  • B9 7 mcg - 1.8%;
  • B12 4.15 mcg - 138.3%;
  • C 0.9 mg - 1%;
  • D 10.9 mcg - 109%;
  • E 1.5 mg - 10%;
  • K 0.4 mcg - 0.3%;
  • RR 8.1 mg - 40.5%.
  • potassium 335 mg - 13.4%;
  • calcium 20 mg - 2%;
  • magnesium 30 mg - 7.5%;
  • sodium 70 mg - 5.4%;
  • sulfur 190 mg - 19%;
  • phosphorus 200 mg - 25%;
  • chlorine 165 mg - 7.2%.
  • iron 0.6 mg - 3.3%;
  • iodine 50 mcg - 33.3%;
  • cobalt 20 mcg - 200%;
  • manganese 0.05 mg - 2.5%;
  • copper 110 mcg - 11%;
  • molybdenum 4 mcg - 5.7%;
  • selenium 44.6 mcg - 81%;
  • fluorine 430 mcg - 10.8%;
  • chromium 55 mcg - 110%;
  • zinc 0.7 mg - 5.8%.

conclusions

Pink salmon is the richest source of useful macro- and microelements. It is very nutritious and healthy. It also contains protein - a building element of every cell in the body and essential fatty acids, without which the existence of our body is impossible. Despite the benefits, this fish also has some contraindications that should be taken into account before including it in your diet.

Beneficial features

  • Improves overall well-being.
  • Strengthens the skeletal system.
  • Provides cognitive health.
  • Prevents ADHD in children.
  • Strengthens the heart.
  • Improves vision.
  • Protects against cancer.
  • Stabilizes hormonal levels.
  • Rejuvenates the skin.
  • Makes hair healthy and smooth.

Harmful properties

  • There are negative consequences of overuse.
  • Individual intolerance is possible.
  • Sometimes it provokes problems with the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
  • Contraindicated for certain diseases.

Additional useful information about pink salmon

How to use

Pink salmon can be prepared in many ways: frying, baking in the oven, salting, smoking, grilling, steaming, charcoal-grilling. This fish is suitable for preparing salads, cold appetizers, and sushi. You can buy canned fish and make sandwiches from it. Potatoes, rice, pasta and any other cereals you like are used as a side dish for pink salmon.

The best seasoning for pink salmon: salt, pepper, lemon juice and vegetable oil. You can cook stuffed pink salmon. It is filled with mushrooms, vegetables or other seafood, poured with cream and sprinkled with grated cheese. You can cook soups from pink salmon, make cutlets and meatballs from it. Pink salmon caviar is considered a delicacy. It is used to make pancakes, sushi and sandwiches.

How to choose

  • In fresh fish, the inside of the abdomen should be pink.
  • If the color of the belly is yellow, it means the fish is not fresh, or it was stored incorrectly. Such fish will taste bitter after cooking.
  • When purchasing fish with the head on, pay attention to the gills. They should be red. If their color is not red, refuse to purchase.
  • The fins and tail should not be dry. This effect is a consequence of several freeze-thaw cycles. The more such cycles, the worse the quality of the fish.
  • River pink salmon is cheaper.
  • You can purchase frozen fish.
  • Give preference to products from large, trusted companies.
  • Small producers deliberately water fish before freezing to increase its weight.
  • Cloudy eyes on fish are not evidence of a bad product. They naturally become cloudy during freezing.
  • If you find spots on your fish that look like bruises, don't be alarmed. Fish are caught in tons, which puts a lot of pressure on the fish below, causing “bruises.” In terms of taste and quality, this fish is in no way inferior to ordinary fish. The only downside is that it appearance won't be as attractive.
  • In order not to be mistaken with the quality of the product, ask the seller for a certificate confirming the quality of the fish.

How to store

  • If you bought frozen fish and don't plan to use it anytime soon, put it in the freezer.
  • Fresh fish can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than three days.
  • Store pink salmon in parchment or cling film, or even better - in a glass container.
  • Pink salmon cannot be stored at room temperature.
  • Smoked pink salmon can be stored for no more than 10 days.
  • If you purchased pink salmon in a vacuum package, do not open it unless you intend to eat the fish in the near future.

History of origin

Salmon fish appeared in Mesozoic era(145 million years ago). The indigenous people of the North have long been engaged in fishing salmon fish, thanks to which they survived. They consumed it completely, leaving no waste. Dried pink salmon caviar was most valued; it saved people during long journeys. It was even used instead of bread and fed to sled dogs. We always gave our best to animals.

Today pink salmon is important commercial fish. Its catch makes up 80% of the total catch of red fish. Since 1909, pink salmon began to be bred in artificial conditions. This happened due to the depletion of its natural reserves. Now almost all pink salmon found on the shelves is grown on fish farms. During Soviet times, they tried to breed pink salmon in the White, Caspian, Barents, Baltic and Black Seas. The attempts were unsuccessful. Pink salmon have taken root only in the White and Barents Seas.

How and where they breed


The habitat of pink salmon is the northern regions of the Pacific Ocean and the lower reaches of the rivers of the Arctic Ocean. It is found along the American and Asian coasts of the Pacific Ocean. It can be seen off the coast of Sakhalin, the Kuril Islands, and Hokkaido. Pink salmon live for 3 years and are very fertile. It got its name thanks to characteristic feature. In males, before spawning, a hump-shaped growth forms above the spine near the head.

The main catch areas are the lower Amur and western Kamchatka. Pink salmon are affectionately called “pink salmon,” but they tend to change color as they migrate from freshwater rivers to the sea and back. Most often, pink salmon can be seen in a light blue color. During spawning, its abdomen becomes white-yellow, and its back turns pale. Pink salmon prefers cold water(5–10 degrees).


Pink salmon - the most important object fisheries in Russia. Hundreds of thousands of tons are caught annually. Russian catches account for about half of the world's total. Pink salmon is the fastest ripening salmon. The fry go to sea, reaching a length of 3 cm and weighing 200 milligrams. Pink salmon live in the sea only for a year; after spawning, they die. IN industrial scale Pink salmon are bred in Sakhalin and Alaska.

  • Once hatched, all pink salmon fry are females. With the start of swimming, half of them change their gender to male.
  • Pink salmon are capable of creating spawning grounds for themselves.
  • When a pink salmon enters a river, it stops feeding. This means that during this time it cannot be caught with a fishing rod.
  • Having laid eggs, the pink salmon dies within 15 minutes.
  • Pink salmon need a hump for ease of swimming on their side, for maneuverability and agility.
  • To spawn, this fish swims against the current.
  • To spawn, pink salmon return to the river in which they were born.

The benefits and harms of pink salmon are often not considered by housewives who use the product for daily dinner. But the high content of vitamins and microelements helps some people with pathologies gastrointestinal tract solve your nutrition problems. Before including fish in your diet, it is worth considering the beneficial properties and contraindications for its frequent consumption.

What does pink salmon look like and where is it found?

This fish belongs to the salmon family, like trout or salmon, and received its name as a result of the formation of a hump on the back of the male before spawning. Among all salmon varieties, pink salmon is less fatty. Pink salmon lives in oceans and coastal waters.

The appearance of the fish is interesting - its back is dark blue, its sides are silver, and its belly has a persistent White color. Among distinctive features One can highlight the absence of teeth on the tongue, the presence of large oval spots on the back and an anal fin. During the spawning period, the appearance of pink salmon changes - the belly becomes yellow in color, and the rear of the fish becomes pale gray.

Composition of pink salmon

Pink salmon meat is healthy due to the wide variety of vitamins and beneficial microelements it contains. Among them are:

  • vitamins of group B, A, D, C, PP;
  • macroelements – sulfur, potassium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus;
  • trace elements - zinc, iodine, fluorine, chromium, iron and others.

It contains a lot of fatty acids that are responsible for the youth of the cells of the human body.

How many calories are in pink salmon

The benefits encourage people to consume fish when losing weight or following a therapeutic diet. This is allowed and recommended by doctors, since the calorie content of pink salmon per 100 grams is slightly more than 100 kcal.

Calorie content during cooking healthy fish changes, which can be seen in the table.

Useful properties of pink salmon

Benefits of pink salmon for the body:

  • fatty acids are involved in the restoration of bone tissue and provide protection against the effects of toxins;
  • substances contained in fish meat participate in the process of lipid metabolism and have a positive effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
  • fatty acids do not harm the body, but only help restore the fat balance in the subcutaneous layers - as a result, the former elasticity and firmness of the skin returns (excellent prevention of cellulite);
  • calcium has a beneficial effect on human nails and hair;
  • oxygen enrichment of cells is carried out - this normalizes cellular metabolism;
  • the functioning of the endocrine glands improves;
  • the functioning of the central nervous system improves;
  • useful material fish have a positive effect on blood sugar levels.

The beneficial properties of pink salmon include the prevention of diseases such as diabetes, stomach ulcers, arthritis, asthma, and hypertension.

Important! For normal functioning of the body, it is enough to cook meals once a week - after heat treatment, the beneficial substances are retained in the product.

You can learn more about the benefits and harms of the product from the video:

The benefits of pink salmon for women

Beneficial properties for women:

  • pink salmon is a dietary product due to its low calorie content, so it can be used for weight loss;
  • promotes cell regeneration – keeps the skin youthful;
  • benefits the reproductive functions of women;
  • prevents the development of depression and insomnia;
  • controls the balance of hormones produced by the thyroid gland - this helps prevent the development of thyroid pathologies.

Pink salmon has a beneficial effect on the genitourinary system, so women should eat fish if they have cystitis - the substances prevent exacerbation.

Pink salmon during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pink salmon can be harmful to a nursing mother, or rather provoke an allergic reaction in the child. Everything is explained by the presence of fatty acids and an increased amount of vitamin C. Therefore, before consuming pink salmon, a woman during lactation is recommended to introduce white fish. If the child does not show any changes in the skin, you can start cooking red fish.

What are the benefits of pink salmon for men?

The benefit of fish for men is to increase potency and sperm motility. You should not take fish as a cure for infertility, but when planning a child, it is recommended to include steamed or steamed pink salmon in your diet.

Is it possible to give pink salmon to children?

Pink salmon for children is pure meat without preservatives with beneficial properties, rich in calcium, iron and vitamins. The substances presented promote the growth of bone tissue and prevent the development of rickets. But pink salmon is given to a child no earlier than 3 years of age, when the absence of an allergic reaction to white fish is confirmed.

Pink salmon for weight loss

The benefits of pink salmon for weight loss have already been mentioned - despite the low calorie content, the meat has a high energy value (this contributes to long-term satiety). Additionally, fish meat is a protein that is necessary for the structure of muscle tissue.

Pink salmon on a diet can be consumed in quantities greater than recommended by a doctor. It does not cause harm; those losing weight will not have to count calories during the day and suffer from a lack of vitamins. Fish should be cooked with minimal heat treatment - steamed or baked.

Is it possible to eat pink salmon if you have diabetes?

The beneficial substances of fish help control the production of hormones, which is why it should be consumed for diabetes of any type. In addition, it has an average glycemic index of only 54, so you can eat a full serving of the dish. To preserve the properties and not harm yourself, the fish is stewed or baked.

Is pink salmon good for gastritis and pancreatitis?

If a person has diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, fish is not useful large quantities. Excessive consumption of pink salmon can be harmful - provoke an exacerbation of ulcers and an attack of gastritis due to increased fat content and prolonged digestion in the stomach due to the increased density of meat fibers.

Attention! Fish should not be eaten fried or salted. You should give preference only to boiled or baked fish - it best retains its beneficial properties.

Useful properties of pink salmon caviar

Caviar has all the beneficial properties of fish itself, so there is no need to talk about its benefits for long. But despite the beneficial properties, in large quantities the product is harmful - it provokes the development of ulcers or its exacerbation. Everything is explained by the increased salt content, which is used for salting and subsequent preservation.

Do pink salmon eat milk?

It is a mistake to think that milk is a fatty product. They contain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which benefit the cells and mucous membranes of the body. Milk only causes harm if it is consumed excessively, for example, in salted form - it has practically no beneficial properties.

The benefits and harms of canned pink salmon

Canned pink salmon is rich in nicotinic acid or vitamin B3. Its beneficial properties include:

  • normalization of cholesterol levels in the body;
  • assistance in the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates;
  • cleansing the body of toxic substances;
  • prevention of inflammatory processes;
  • dilation of blood vessels, resulting in improved blood supply to organs.

But the product can be harmful if a person has an allergic reaction - often a person suffers from an allergy to canned food.

Is there any benefit to salted and smoked pink salmon?

The benefit of cold smoked pink salmon lies in the ability to retain more beneficial properties. But at the same time, when smoking, oncogenic substances penetrate into the fish fibers, which provoke the development of cancer in humans. Hot smoked meat is more dangerous because the smoke contains a large number of chemical compounds.

Attention! If a person likes cold or hot smoked fish, he should not get carried away daily use. It is also forbidden to eat the skin, since it contains the most harmful substances.

Salted fish is harmful due to its salt content - you should not get carried away with it if you have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary system.

How to cook delicious pink salmon

Often, the preparation of fish of the presented variety is refused due to its dryness in the finished form. But knowing the secrets, you can avoid mistakes:

  • It is recommended to purchase chilled fish, since after defrosting all the juices from the fibers are lost, which means the benefits are reduced;
  • bake in the oven for 20 minutes, maximum 30 minutes at large sizes carcasses;
  • Before baking, it is recommended to grease the fish with vegetable oil in large quantities - the oil is used for open baking in the oven;
  • if you need to bake fish at dietary nutrition, use foil in which to wrap the carcass, after having greased it with spices;
  • to prevent the fish from drying out, you can add lemon, orange, herbs and fresh vegetables– everything is crumbled into large slices;
  • Black pepper, garlic, thyme, dill and various Italian seasonings go well with fish.

Depending on the cooking method, the fish can be pre-marinated using vinegar, oil, lemon juice with seasonings. For pink salmon, it is better to prepare a sauce - you can mix natural yogurt, honey, mustard and dill in a blender.

Harm of pink salmon and contraindications

Despite its beneficial properties, this fish can be harmful to the body. It is necessary to highlight the following recommendations and prohibitions:

  • It is not recommended to eat fish in large quantities if you have kidney stones - acids in meat contribute to the formation of new stones;
  • since fish can speed up blood circulation, women during pregnancy should be careful when consuming it - it is not recommended to include it in the diet if you have high blood pressure;
  • this fish can cause swelling of the extremities, since all gastric juice is consumed in its digestion, and this stimulates increased thirst;
  • fish is difficult for the stomach to digest, so you should not eat it at night.

Important! People with allergies to fish and seafood are strictly prohibited from consuming pink salmon. The product is harmful if the human body has a high content of phosphorus and iodine.

How to select and store pink salmon

It is better to buy fish chilled - this way it will retain its beneficial properties. When choosing, you should pay attention to the color of the meat in the abdominal area - natural pink, without yellowish impurities, which indicate improper storage and spoilage of the product. The gills should be red - you should not pay attention to the intensity of the shade.

It’s better not to delay cooking, but to start cutting it right away. If this is not possible, you can put the carcass in the refrigerator, covering it cling film. Chilled fish can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 12 hours. If cooking is not possible, the carcass is placed in the freezer.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of pink salmon are discussed in detail, on the basis of which everyone will draw their own conclusions, reconsider their attitude towards fish and, possibly, introduce it into their diet. If the product has not previously been present on the table, it is recommended to try it in all types of preparation in small quantities. This way you can determine the best taste for yourself, as well as the subsequent sensation in your stomach. In case of heaviness and prolonged digestion, it is recommended to cook the carcass in crushed form.

River pink salmon is an anadromous fish. This means that it spends part of its life in sea water, and spawns in rivers. In the photo, the river pink salmon is noticeably different from other fish...

It's interesting that with the onset mating season pink salmon undergoes a significant transformation. Males are most visibly transformed.

The fish changes color to greenish-brown with dark stripes and spots. The body flattens laterally and a hump appears (hence the name of the species). The jaws bend to form either a hooked nose or a beak. Strong crooked teeth become noticeable (due to this river pink salmon called catfish). The meat of spawning fish turns white.

Signs

When pink salmon are still at sea, their color is silver with a darker back and a clearly visible lateral line. Dark spots are visible on the fins: large ones on the caudal fin, small ones on the dorsal fin. The body is “clad” with small, thick scales. Females are smaller in size than males.

Spreading

During the maritime period life cycle Pink salmon live in the North Pacific Ocean. Off the coast of Asia, the habitat of pink salmon stretches from Chukotka to the Korean Peninsula and the islands of Hokkaido and Honshu. Along the coast North America– from the Bering Strait to California. You can also find pink salmon in Arctic Ocean- up to the mouth of the Lena off the coast of Asia, and to the Colville River off the coast of the North American continent.

Pink salmon is a valuable commercial fish that provides a high catch. The waters washing the Southern Kuril Islands are especially rich in pink salmon. East Coast Kamchatka, British Columbia.


The habitat of pink salmon is very wide, which indicates the popularity of the fish among many nationalities.

The Sea of ​​Okhotsk, the northern part of the Sea of ​​Japan and the southeastern part of the Gulf of Alaska also provide a rich catch of pink salmon.

And, although the pink salmon catch fluctuates from year to year, the share of this species in the total salmon fishery is one of the most significant.

Biology

Compared to representatives of other species of the family Salmon pink salmon- small fish. The fixed maximum size is 68 cm (with a weight of 3 kg). Pink salmon grows and matures quickly. By the second year of life, the fish is ready to reproduce. Submitting to the instinct of their native river (homing), pink salmon goes deep into the beds of large rivers or into the lower reaches of their tributaries, reaches silt-free places with a bottom covered with pebbles or gravel, and lays eggs.


The breeding season lasts from August to mid-October. Larvae emerge from eggs (d=6 mm) at the end of April. They still have a way to go downstream - to the ocean. Without swimming far into sea waters, the juveniles feed in shallow water for about a month, consuming small crustaceans.

Compared to other salmonids, it boasts a very large population of its Pacific population.

The larger the annual population size, the smaller fish(by 2.5-5.7 cm). This, however, does not apply to pink salmon living in British Columbia and Northern Primorye.

Pink salmon from 32 to 64 cm in length begin to reproduce. But, on average, the size of spawning individuals falls within the range of 38-59 cm (with a weight of one and a half to two kilograms).


This type of fish is also interesting because all the larvae that are born are females. Sexual differentiation of individuals does not occur immediately.

One of the curious features of this species is that pink salmon does not have clearly defined subspecies. They cannot form due to a number of reasons. Firstly, individuals of different populations are not isolated from each other - they have the opportunity to interbreed with each other due to weak homing in this species. Secondly, this fish at all periods of its life cycle has good resistance to the influence of environmental factors. And thirdly, the isolation of subspecies by acquiring new features and characteristics is prevented by the uniformity of living conditions throughout the entire extent of the species’ distribution.


Generations of pink salmon are genetically quite isolated from each other (they do not overlap during reproduction), since these fish mature quickly (once they reach 1.5-2 years they are ready to reproduce) and die after the first spawning.

Spawning

When entering the river at the beginning of spawning, males outnumber females. But the closer to the end of the long journey to the spawning ground, the more females become. If we consider the average numbers, then parity is maintained between the sexes.


The journey to the spawning grounds takes 1-1.5 months. This is a grueling and exhausting road, during which the fish does not feed and undergoes a number of external and internal transformations. The conditions in the spawning areas of all pink salmon populations are approximately the same: pebble-sandy soil, water temperature - 4-16 ° C, current speed at a depth of about one meter - 0.2-1 m/s, degree of water saturation with oxygen - at least 40% from full.

The female lays 800-2400 large eggs in a specially prepared hole, in three separate nests. After the male fertilizes the eggs with milk, the female fills the hole with soil, forming a so-called spawning mound (with an area of ​​one and a half to two square meters). After 130 days, pink salmon larvae appear from the fertilized eggs (40-60% of all eggs spawned). They stay under the pebbles for about a hundred days, then emerge from under the spawning mound and go to the sea. The ramp lasts several months: from late April to early July. Having reached the place where the river flows into the sea, the juveniles remain here for some time - in the waters just before the mouth of the river. Then it moves on.


After feeding in shallow waters in coastal bays and bays, young pink salmon move to the open sea in October-November.

Since pink salmon have relatively weak homing, they may spawn in a river other than the one in which they were born. Moreover, the mouths of some rivers sometimes become impassable due to storm sediments, and pink salmon are not able to enter there for 1-2 years.

Herds

Due to the weakness of the instinct to return to their native river, pink salmon can use another river for spawning, not the one in which they were born. That is, the group of these fish is united not by one native river, but by several rivers in which the spawning of these individuals may take place.


A group of fish united by a common complex of such rivers is called a herd. There are a large number of such herds of pink salmon. These are the Primorye, Amur, West Sakhalin (Sea of ​​Japan), East Sakhalin, South Sakhalin, North Okhotsk, West Kamchatka, West Bering Sea, South Kuril, Hokkaido, and American herds.

Maritime period

Stocks of pink salmon of Asian origin are found in the western (Kuril-Kamchatka) and central (Aleutian) regions where these fish are concentrated. The eastern region (off the coast of North America) is home to herds of American origin. A separate herd of pink salmon swims in the Sea of ​​Japan.

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