Sea pike (molva): brief information

Everyone knows that in the rivers there is such a fish as pike. But not everyone knows that there is a sea pike. In fact, this inhabitant of the sea depths got its name because of its great similarity with its river counterpart. To science, this fish is known by a completely different name.

Brief description of the species

Sea pike is usually called a fish, whose name in Latin is transliterated as a mole. Fish (sea pike), whose appearance is similar to the appearance of an ordinary burbot living in freshwater reservoirs, belongs to the family of cod fish. It has the characteristics of sea bass and cod.

Molva has an elongated shape of the body, which strongly resembles a freshwater pike. It was for this that she received her nickname. The length of some individuals reaches a two-meter mark. The back of the fish has a marble color, and the belly is yellow-white. Molva has two varieties: blue and ordinary. Weigh one such fish about 40 kg. Of course, sea pike is a delicious prey for those who are engaged in fishing in the waters where it often meets.

Habitat

In the largest number of marine pike is found in the open ocean, in places with a stony bottom. Intense molt in the waters at a depth of 300-500 m, and sometimes 1000. Malek swims a little closer to the surface of the water, not going under the water for more than 100 m.

The habitat of this fish includes the entire coast of Western Europe. Also it can be found in the southern part of Greenland and in the west of the Mediterranean Sea. A special accumulation of molts is observed in the waters off the coast of Sweden, Iceland, Norway and the North Sea near the British Isles.

Nutrition and reproduction

Sea pike is a predatory fish. Its diet includes starfish, crayfish, herring, flounder and cod fish. Sexually mature is a female that has reached 80 cm in length, and a male that has a length of at least one meter. But how does the process of reproduction of the marine pike?

Spawning usually begins in March, when the water temperature rises to +7 degrees. The female is able to postpone up to 6 million small eggs. Most of all, molva likes to spawn in the waters of the British Isles. From each egg, about one millimeter in size, a larva is pecked, the size of which is slightly more than three millimeters. After that the fry will stay for three more years near the bottom.

Catching of sea pike

Many countries of Western Europe are engaged in catching molva. Its meat is very much appreciated in cooking for its pleasant taste and huge nutritional benefits for a person. Half of all catches are sold in fresh or frozen form, and the second half is sold for sale in Southern Europe, where it is very rare.

The main supplier of marine pike is Norway, where it is caught all year round. Catching this fish involves the use of equipment for professional deep-sea fishing. However, it is often possible to catch this fish on amateur bottom gear and marine spinning. For bait used mostly mackerel or herring.

Sea pike is a very tasty and healthy fish. If you ever get to taste it, try to enjoy the taste of its tender meat. And for the decrease in the fish population, do not worry - remember that one molva can postpone up to 6,000,000 eggs.