Real shrimp. Shrimp habitats Great tiger shrimp habitat

Shrimp are crustaceans, which are representatives of the order of decapods. They are widely distributed throughout all bodies of water in the world's oceans. The length of an adult shrimp does not exceed 30 centimeters and weighs 20 grams.

Science knows more than 2000 individuals living, including in fresh waters. The taste qualities of shrimp have led to them becoming an object industrial production. Today, the practice of shrimp cultivation is widespread throughout the world.

Features and habitat of shrimp

Shrimp are unique animals in terms of their body structure. Features of shrimp lie in their anatomy. Shrimp are one of the rare crustaceans that shed and change their shells.

Her genitals and heart are located in the head area. The digestive and urinary organs are also located there. Like most crustaceans, shrimp breathes using gills.

The gills of the shrimp are protected by a shell and are located next to the walking legs. IN in good condition their blood is light blue in color; when there is a lack of oxygen, it becomes discolored.

Shrimp live in almost all large bodies of water in the world. Their range is limited only to the harsh Arctic and Antarctic waters. They have adapted to life in warm and cold, salt and fresh water. Largest number shrimp species are concentrated in equatorial regions. The further from the equator, the smaller their population.

Character and lifestyle of shrimp

Shrimps play important role in the ecosystem of seas and oceans. They clean the bottom of reservoirs from the remains of tubifex worms, aquatic insects and fish. Their diet consists of rotting plants and detritus - black silt formed as a result of the decomposition of fish and algae.

They lead an active lifestyle: they surf the bottom in search of food, crawl along the leaves of plants, cleaning them from snail leeches. Shrimp maneuverability in water is provided by walking legs on the cephalothorax and abdominal swimming legs, and the movements of the caudal peduncles allow them to quickly jump back and scare off their enemies.

Aquarium shrimp perform the functions of a nurse. They rid the reservoir of fouling by lower algae and feed on the remains of their dead “brethren.” Sometimes they can attack sick or sleeping fish. Cannibalism among these crustaceans is rare. It usually only appears in stressful situations or in conditions of prolonged hunger.

Types of shrimp

All famous sciences Shrimp species are divided into four groups:

  • Warm water;
  • Cold water;
  • Brackish water;
  • Freshwater.

The habitat of warm-water shrimp is limited to the southern seas and oceans. They are caught not only in their natural habitat, but also cultivated in artificial conditions. Science knows more than a hundred species of warm-water shrimp. Examples of such shellfish are black tiger and white tiger shrimp.

White in the photo tiger shrimp

Cold-water shrimp are the most common of the known subspecies. Their habitat is wide: they are found in the Baltic, Barents, North Seas, off the coast of Greenland and Canada.

At description of shrimp It is worth mentioning of such individuals that their length is 10-12 cm, and their weight is 5.5-12 grams. Cold-water shrimp cannot be artificially propagated and develop only in their natural habitat.

They feed exclusively on environmentally friendly plankton, which has a positive effect on their quality. The most famous representatives This subspecies includes the northern red shrimp, northern chilim and red comb shrimp.

Pictured is chilim shrimp

Shrimp, common in salty waters seas and oceans are called saltwater. So, in Atlantic Ocean Reds live king prawns, northern white, southern pink, northern pink, serrated and other individuals.

The photo shows serrated shrimp

On the South American coasts you can find Chilean shrimp. The waters of the Black, Baltic and Mediterranean seas are rich in grass and sand shrimp.

The photo shows a grassy shrimp

Freshwater shrimp mainly live in the countries of Southeast and South Asia, Australia, Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union. The length of such individuals is 10-15 centimeters and weighs from 11 to 18 grams. The most famous species are the troglocar shrimp, Palaemon superbus, Macrobachium rosenbergii.

Shrimp food

The basis shrimp nutrition consists of dying aquatic plants and organic remains. In their natural habitat they are scavengers. Shrimp will not refuse the pleasure of feasting on the remains of dead fish or even juvenile fish.

Among plants, they prefer to feed on those with fleshy and succulent leaves, for example, ceratopteris. In the process of searching for food, shrimp use the organs of touch and smell. Turning its antennas in different directions, it looks around the area and tries to find prey.

In search of vegetation individual species shrimp, living closer to the equator, dig up the soil of the reservoir. They run around its perimeter until they run into food, and then, approaching it within a centimeter, they suddenly attack it. Blind individuals living at the bottom of the Black Sea feed on silt, grinding it with their mandibles - well-developed jaws.

For shrimp grown in aquariums, specially developed feed is produced, enriched with nutrients and iodine. It is not recommended to feed them perishable vegetables.

As food you can use lightly boiled carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, dandelion leaves, clover, cherries, chestnuts, and walnuts. A real feast for a shrimp is the remains of an aquarium shrimp or its fellow shrimp.

Reproduction and lifespan of shrimp

During puberty, the female shrimp begins the process of forming eggs that resemble a green-yellow mass. When the female is ready to mate, she releases pheromones into the water - substances that have a specific odor.

Sensing this smell, the males become more active in search of a partner and fertilize her. This process takes no more than a minute. Then the shrimp produces caviar. The norm for an adult female is a clutch of 20-30 eggs. The embryonic development of larvae lasts from 10 to 30 days, depending on the ambient temperature.

During the process of embryogenesis, larvae go through 9-12 stages. At this time, changes occur in their structure: at the beginning the jaws are formed, a little later - the cephalothorax. Most of the hatched larvae die due to unfavorable conditions or the “work” of predators. As a rule, 5-10% of the brood reach maturity. At shrimp farming in the aquarium it is possible to preserve up to 30% of the offspring.

The larvae lead a sedentary lifestyle and are not able to obtain food, feeding on the available food. Last stage The development of these mollusks is called decapodite. During this period, the larva leads a lifestyle no different from an adult shrimp. On average, life cycle shrimp life lasts from 1.5 to 6 years.

Shrimp is popular among gourmets due to its nutritional value and year-round availability. They are eaten not only separately, but also added to salads and snacks. Shrimp are widespread in all the world's seas and many species live in fresh water bodies. These are small crustaceans, the size of which does not exceed 30 centimeters. In Russia, shrimp are mainly found in the Far East, where over 100 species live. But commercial shrimp are usually divided not by species, but by size of individuals; it is sorted by size that they go on sale. But the smallest species (up to 7 cm) are deep-sea shrimp.

The history of eating shrimp goes back many centuries. Even ancient chefs surprised their masters with magnificent baked shrimp from Minturo, Smyrna or Alexandria.

Shrimp are rich in proteins and valuable amino acids, and also have large amounts of iodine, which is needed for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. They also contain all fat-soluble vitamins: K, A, E, D.

Shrimp contain potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, iodine, cobalt, manganese, copper, molybdenum, fluorine, zinc, vitamins C, B1, B2, B9, PP, provitamin A and B-carotene.

Thus, shrimp are one of the most valuable sources of protein and minerals.

Note: The amount of iodine in shrimp is 100 times more than in beef!

Shrimp are rich in calcium, which is beneficial for the thyroid gland, immune system, kidneys, muscular system, blood synthesis and bone tissue building. Potassium is essential for the cardiovascular system. Zinc stimulates the production of hormones, improves skin, strengthens nails. Sulfur also has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair and nails, regulates the function of sweat and sebaceous glands, strengthens the immune system, reduces allergies, and participates in the formation connective tissue, including the valve apparatus of the heart, membranes of venous and arterial vessels, articular surfaces.

There is a lot in shrimp high level good cholesterol, and also a lot of copper.

Composition of shrimp

in 100 grams of product

Nutritional value Vitamins Macronutrients Microelements

Calorie content 87 kcal

Proteins 18.3 g

Fats 1.2 g

Carbohydrates 0.8 g

Water 78.2 g

Saturated fatty acids 0.2 g

Cholesterol 160 mg

Ash 1.5 g

Vitamin A 0.015 mg
Vitamin PP 2 mg
Beta-carotene 0.01 mg
Vitamin A (VE) 16 mcg
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) 0.06 mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 0.07 mg
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic) 0.3 mg
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 0.1 mg
Vitamin B9 (folate) 13 mcg
Vitamin B12 (cobalamins) 0.8 mcg
Vitamin C 1.4 mg
Vitamin E (TE) 2.3 mg
Vitamin H (biotin) 1 mcg
Vitamin PP (Niacin equivalent) 5 mg

Calcium 100 mg

Magnesium 60 mg

Sodium 150 mg

Potassium 260 mg

Phosphorus 220 mg

Sulfur 210 m

Iron 2.2 mg

Zinc 2.1 mg

Iodine 110 mcg

Copper 850 mcg

Manganese 0.11 mg

Chromium 55 mcg

Fluoride 100 mcg

Molybdenum 10 mcg

Cobalt 12 mcg

Nickel 11 mcg

Note: The best shrimp are fresh frozen: they not only taste better, but also last longer. Such shrimp can be distinguished by their gray-brown color.

What good shrimp look like

High-quality frozen shrimp are distinguished by a slightly curved shape, elasticity, and their meat is light gray in color. The shell may be slightly darkened near the cephalothorax and on the back (these spots should disappear after cooking). Some shrimp may come with caviar. The product should smell like the sea without any unpleasant odors. All shrimp in the package must be whole, the number of broken antennae and tails should not exceed 5% of the total weight. In addition, the container should not contain anything other than shrimp and ice.

Boiled shrimp should be curved and the color of the flesh is pink with various shades. The meat should be firm and juicy. The taste and aroma of shrimp are characteristic; there should be no foreign tastes or odors.

What bad shrimp look like

Poor quality shrimp may have bad smell. The violation is damage to the shell and antennae. If the structure of the meat is loose, and its color is gray, yellow or uneven, then the product is spoiled. You should not take shrimp with gray spots on the shell and body, as well as with blackened heads.

Note: All shrimp in the package must be the same size!

How to determine the quality of shrimp

Carefully examine the packaging: it must contain the full name of the company, as well as the manufacturer’s contact information, the weight of the package and the number of shrimp in one kilogram must be indicated.

Note: The packaging of shrimp should indicate the number of shrimp per 1 kg or 450 grams (that's 1 pound).

If you buy shrimp by weight, the ice glaze on them should not be too thick. Shrimp packaged in bags should not be covered in snow, because this is a sure sign of re-freezing.

Note: Today, European suppliers of shrimp take the lead in quality.

Conventional classification of edible shrimp:

  • Classic shrimp (various types of shrimp, packaged by size).
  • King prawns.
  • Tiger prawns.


Over 2 thousand species of shrimp are found in nature. However, all of them can be divided into conditional groups according to their habitat. There are warm-water and cold-water shrimp, as well as marine and freshwater.

Shrimp that live in cold waters

Cold-water marine shrimp are very diverse. More than 100 species are found in the Russian Far East. But the most popular are the northern red shrimp Pandalus borealis, which live in Arctic waters. Their subspecies are the northern chilli shrimp Pandalus goniurus and the red comb shrimp Pandalus hypsinotus. These are very small, but tasty - an excellent snack for beer.

Warm water shrimp

Warm water shrimp live in warm tropical waters south seas and oceans. Such shrimps are not only caught in the natural environment, but also bred on special farms. There are few species of warm-water shrimp. The tiger shrimp Penaeus kerathurus, living in the Atlantic Ocean, is very popular. Also known is the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon. It is common on the coasts of Asian countries. The green tiger shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus, as well as the white shrimp Panaeus Vannamei, also called king, are found in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

Shrimp that live in salt water

Also in the Atlantic Ocean there are southern pink Penaeus notialis, red royal Plesiopenaeus emardsianus, serrated Palaemon serratus, northern pink Penaeus duorarum, northern white Penaeus setiferus shrimp, pink deep-sea Aristeus antennatus, southern pink Penaeus notiatis shrimp. Black Sea grass shrimp Palaemon adspersus and sand shrimp Crangon crangon are found in large quantities in the Baltic, Mediterranean and Black Seas. Spotted deep-sea shrimp Pandalus platyceros and captain shrimp Penaeus chinensis are found on the coasts of Japan and China. And the Chilean shrimp Heterocarpus reedei can only be found near the coast of Chile.

This is interesting: In nature there are quite unusual species shrimp. Thus, the spongycol shrimp lives in glass sponges. This shrimp climbs inside the sponge at the larval stage, then grows and, due to its size, can already crawl out. But the mantis shrimp is distinguished by its eyes: it is able to see in infrared, optical, polarized and ultraviolet light simultaneously. In Asia, there is a ninja shrimp that can change color, mimicking environment. Red-nose shrimp, which have a long reddish nose, live in the waters of the Indian Ocean.

Freshwater shrimp

But shrimp are not only in marine and ocean waters. Many species also live in fresh waters. The largest and most popular tropical warm-water freshwater shrimp- these are giant Macrobrachium rosenbergii. They are better known as king prawns. These shrimp live in Southeast Asia, China, Indy, Northern Australia and the islands of Oceania. It is interesting that, living in fresh water bodies, king prawns prefer to breed in salt water.

Freshwater shrimp found in Russia are descendants of the pre-glacial inhabitants of the Earth. For example, in the Caucasus, the blind troglocar shrimp Troglocaris anophthalmus Kollar is found in streams and cave lakes.

The species Leander, Paratya, and Caridina live in the Far East. The shrimp Palaemon superbus and Leander modestus Heller are found in Lake Khanka. And in the Amur live both Leander modestus Heller and Caridina denticulata sinensis Kemp. The shrimp L. Paucudens De Haan live on Sakhalin. The shrimp Paratya porealis Wolk lives in the Ulunchi River. The eastern river shrimp lives in fresh water bodies of the Astrakhan region.

This is interesting: Homeland of the eastern river shrimp, living in Astrakhan reservoirs, are Vietnam, Japan and China. However, having arrived in Russia along with shipments of Vietnamese fish, the oriental shrimp successfully adapted to the harsh Russian climate and has been living in our country since the 50s of the last century.

How to cook shrimp

How long to cook shrimp

The main thing during cooking is not to allow the meat to acquire a rubbery consistency. To avoid overcooking the product, you need to consider what type of shrimp you purchased: warm-water or cold-water.

Note: Large warm-water shrimp take longer to cook than small cold-water shrimp.

Regular small atlantic shrimp boil for no more than 2 minutes, and large warm-water ones should stay in boiling water for about 3 minutes. The difference is small, but it makes a big difference.

A characteristic sign of shrimp readiness is matte pink and a slightly transparent shell. After the shrimp are cooked, some chefs recommend not removing them from the water immediately, but leaving them to steep in the resulting broth for 15-20 minutes.

Note: When the shrimp are cooked, do not rush to remove them from the broth, but let them brew for 20 minutes.

If you bought not fresh frozen, but boiled-frozen shrimp, then just throw them, without defrosting, into a pan of boiling water and wait for them to float to the surface.

How to improve the taste of shrimp

In Italy, shrimp are sometimes boiled in milk or cream. In China and Japan, green tea leaves are added to the water when boiling shrimp, which helps fight off the fishy smell.

Russia also has its own interesting approaches to preparing shrimp. For example, there are known methods of boiling shrimp in beer and even in vodka!

The best additives for shrimp during cooking to improve the taste and aroma of the dish are black pepper, bay leaf, lemon, lime, vegetable oil, salt, garlic, tarragon, dill, cloves.

Note: Shrimp can be cooked in microwave oven, to do this, it is enough to leave frozen shrimp without adding water for 5-12 minutes, depending on the power of the CSW radiation.

How to peel shrimp

In stores you can find regular unpeeled shrimp, and shrimp without heads and even without shells.

Note: On average, 1 kg of peeled shrimp is approximately equal to 3 kg of unpeeled shrimp.

Some shrimp recipes may call for pre-cleaning before heat treatment. In others, on the contrary, you need to cook the shrimp whole. Even the recipes for some dishes call for eating shrimp along with their shells or tails. Also, when frying or baking shrimp, the heads are often left on the bodies. However, if you still need to peel the shrimp, there are several ways.

Methods for cleaning shrimp

You can start the cleaning process by separating the head, and then, by pulling the tail, carefully remove the shell with legs and at the same time pull out the insides.

Another way is to start with the legs and then separate the head and shell. If there are caviar on the paws, it is better to remove it first.

Note: Shrimp roe can also be eaten: it is both tasty and healthy.

There are ways to clean shrimp using kitchen utensils: cut off the legs with scissors, and use a small knife to cut the shell along the outer curve, push its halves apart and pry off the inside with the tip. Then take out the meat and rinse it.

Note: To easily peel boiled shrimp, after cooking, dip them in cold water for a few seconds.

Using shrimp shells

Shrimp can be used to make broth for soup. There are several ways to prepare this broth. Firstly, the shells can simply be boiled in a pan with spices. There should be a little water, just enough to cover the contents. After boiling, reduce the heat and simmer the contents for about 30 minutes. After cooking, wait until the water cools down.

The second method is to rinse and dry the shrimp shells in advance in the oven at 200 degrees for about 20 minutes. Then cook with seasonings, onion and garlic until boiling, then reduce heat, add herbs and cook for another hour. After cooking, leave for 30 minutes.

Note: Before using the shrimp shell broth to make soup, you need to strain it through cheesecloth.

Shrimp market in Russia

Cold-water shrimp are caught in Scandinavia, Russia and Canada. Suppliers of Atlantic cold-water shrimp to the Russian market are Canada, Denmark, Norway, Greenland, Russia, the USA and Japan. They are mainly sold fresh frozen.

Warm-water shrimp are supplied to the domestic market by countries such as China, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Ecuador. They are sold in three types - frozen in a block of ice, individually frozen with a head and without a head.

In 2010, two main types of shrimp were supplied to Russia: Pandalidae shrimp accounted for 67.8% of the turnover by weight and 52.8% by price, and Penaeus shrimp accounted for 30.5% and 44.9%, respectively. At the same time, Pandalidae turned out to be 47% cheaper than Penaeus.

For 2007-2010, the average increase in shrimp imports to Russia was 6%. In 2010, import volumes almost returned to the pre-crisis level of 2008 and amounted to $199,000,000.

Statistics on average monthly supplies from 2007 to 2010 showed a drop in the total volume and price of supplies in 2009 to an average annual level of $3.09 per 1 kg of goods. In 2010, there were obvious trends in sales growth, with the average annual price increasing by 4% since 2008.

Russia is one of the world leaders in terms of shrimp consumption. In 2013, shrimp were supplied to Russia from 24 countries!

The main importers of shrimp to Russia are Canada, China and Denmark. The largest supplier of shrimp to Russia is Canada (more than 40% of all imports), but China’s share is becoming larger every year (from 2.7% in 2007 to 22.8% in 2010).

The most expensive shrimp sourced from Portugal, Nicaragua and Vietnam.

Relatively cheap shrimp come from Italy, Spain, Japan, the Netherlands, Estonia, Iceland, and Tunisia.

Main suppliers imported shrimp to the Russian market: companies “Albatross”, “Polar Seafood Russia”, “Vichunai-Rus”, “New Alaska”, “Agama Royal Greenland”, “Sea Prod”.

Most companies on the Russian shrimp market are representative offices of foreign producers. In addition to sales, these enterprises, as a rule, carry out processing and packaging of products.

This creature of nature has quite unusual appearance. Shrimp is a resident water world, and it’s fun to watch their behavior while snorkeling, for example, in tropical waters. If you stir the lush algae, these crustaceans begin to jump out like grasshoppers from the grass.

Shrimps. Definition

This animal has optimally adapted to living conditions in sea ​​depths, which undoubtedly affected its structure. Shrimp - who is this? Crustacean from the order (there are a total of 250 genera and about 2,000 species). Caridea (as these inhabitants of the seas and oceans are scientifically called) are distributed everywhere in the oceans and seas, found even in some fresh water bodies, the most diverse species are represented in tropical waters. They are found in abundance in the Black and Azov Seas. To the question “Is a shrimp an animal or not?” - the answer is clearly positive, since all arthropods are representatives of the animal kingdom.

Structure

The body is elongated in length and slightly flattened at the sides. It is divided into two main segments: the abdomen and cephalothorax. The second section makes up half of the entire body. At the beginning of the cephalothorax shell there is a pair of eyes that are located in special recesses. The cephalothorax is protected by a chitinous shell, hard and durable, formed from 2 plates and attached to the gills. But the lower part of the shell is soft. Dimensions various types range from 2 to 30 centimeters.

Organs of vision

The shrimp is an unusual animal that has different vision: day and night. Each of her eyes consists of a huge number of facets, and with age their number increases. The facet segments are separated by pigment spots. And each element perceives those rays that fall perpendicular to the cornea. Such vision can be called mosaic. It is characteristic that at night the pigments disperse to the base of the eyes, and oblique rays can reach the retina: the shrimp already sees objects in full, but their outlines are blurred.

Shrimp is a decapod crustacean

Despite the fact that these sea ​​creatures classified as decapods, in fact they have as many as nineteen pairs of limbs. And each one is responsible for specific action. The antennae, for example, are used for touch, and the thin ones, with small claws at the end, perform a special task - with their help, the animal cleans its body and gills if they are clogged. Other legs are used to move along the bottom, they larger size and longer than the others. And the abdominal limbs are used when the crustacean has to swim. At the end of the body there is a wide, strong fin. It bends sharply, making it possible to move in jerks. When a shrimp stops and sits down, for example, on algae, it moves its long antennae in all directions.

What do they eat?

The shrimp is an omnivore. The menu of these aquatic inhabitants consists of plankton, as well as algae, and even soil. Usually, a huge number of shrimp of some species are found near fishing nets: they eat the caught fish so quickly that if they don’t get the gear in time, the fishermen can only get naked skeletons.

Shrimp find their food using their senses of smell and touch. If antennas or eyes are lost, this time can increase significantly. In this case, the animal uses the fingers of its walking legs and the bristles of its mouth appendages - they are highly sensitive.

Reproduction

Shrimp are bisexual, but male and female corresponding glands are formed in different times. At the onset of puberty, the individual first becomes a male, and in the third year of its life it transforms into the opposite, female sex. Females glue eggs onto the hairs of the abdominal legs, and then bear offspring (in literally- carry it with them) until the hatched larvae emerge from the eggs.

Delicacies

These animals are also traditionally eaten. Recipes for culinary dishes that include these seafood as ingredients are popular among different nations, mainly living on the coasts. Like many other seafood, these crustaceans are rich in protein and calcium while containing few calories. Dishes involving shrimp - good source"correct" cholesterol and as a food, they are undoubtedly a tasty and healthy delicacy.

According to the classification, the Black Sea shrimp belongs to crustaceans that live in the basin of the Black, Azov and Mediterranean seas. It is not only food for fish and other inhabitants of water bodies. For many centuries in a row, this delicious delicacy has been preferred by gourmets and seafood lovers, so its production has acquired an industrial scale.

Shrimp (lat. Caridea) belong to arthropods from the order of decapods of the Crangonidae family. They can live safely in both fresh and sea ​​water, due to which they are widely distributed in all water bodies of the world. The depth of their habitat can reach up to 80 m, which they use to hide from enemies. They also know how to quickly burrow into muddy or sandy bottoms when encountering a predator.

Its body consists of 3 sections: cephalothorax, abdominal and caudal. Almost the entire body is covered with a shell consisting of chitin and other minerals. The tail plates are divided into segments; at the end of the body they form a tail fan, which helps to swim and move.

In the front part there are antennae, which are organs of touch and smell. Below them are located antennules designed to identify the chemical composition of water and food.

Crustaceans have 5 pairs of legs: the first 3 are designed for self-defense and capturing food, the next 5 are for movement. The remaining 2 legs are located under the abdomen and can be used both for swimming and for bearing eggs by females. In males, the first pair in the process of evolution turned into an organ for copulation.

The lifespan of shrimp is 3-5 years. The main diet consists of plankton and algae remains. Large crustaceans eat larvae and worms, small invertebrates and dead fish.

When females reach a size of 3-4 cm, they are ready to reproduce and can lay eggs. After a few days, small planktonic larvae hatch from the clutch. During maturation, they change their shell several times, with each subsequent one being slightly larger and stronger than the previous one. And only after going through 5 molts do they reach the post-larval stage and can switch to a benthic lifestyle.

Varieties

Several species of crustaceans live in the Black Sea, 2 of which belong to shrimp of the genus Palaemon, which are of commercial importance and are used as food.

These include:

  • Black Sea grass (Palaemon adspersus);
  • Black Sea rockfish (Palaemon elegans).

Palemon is slender or stone, which received its name from the required habitat. These creatures prefer to live among accumulations of stones in ridges, gorges and in shallow waters covered with dense thickets of algae. In secluded places, such inhabitants live peacefully, because... they are well protected from enemies. Here it is possible to find a lot of small plankton, which is their main food.

Rock shrimp can live and reproduce safely in any water salinity, so they are also found in the fresher Azov Sea. The size of an adult individual can reach 8 cm and weigh up to 8 g.

The grass palemon chose bottom areas overgrown with algae and sandy beaches near Anapa as its habitat. The color of the shell has light shades, the body is almost transparent, which allows it to live safely in the shallows. The size of such crustaceans is up to 7 cm.

Azov shrimp, living in the waters of the Kerch Gulf and the Sea of ​​Azov, are mainly herbaceous, preferring areas heavily overgrown with aquatic vegetation.

How to catch shrimp?

Crustaceans are valuable, nutritious and tasty seafood. They contain many vitamins, acids and minerals (calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, iodine, etc.). The beneficial substances they contain help stabilize hormonal background in the human body and enhance its immunity. The disadvantage of shrimp meat is its high cholesterol content.

For your taste qualities they are prized among gourmets and lovers fishing. Therefore, catching shrimp is carried out as in industrial scale and fishing enthusiasts. The latter prefer not only to eat them, but to sell them to local cafes and restaurants.

Shrimp fishing is most often carried out in the evening or at night. It is best to choose areas in the form of a backwater for this, because In places where the reservoir narrows, it is convenient to install trawls or traps. Caught crustaceans can be consumed not only for food, but also used as bait or as bait for fishing.

Many fishermen fish not only in the coastal zone, but also from a boat. And the most ancient method of shrimp fishing was popular in Belgium and was carried out with the help of specially trained horses that pulled shrimp nets.

Habitats

To catch crustaceans in large quantities, you need to know exactly where the shrimp live. Their favorite areas are the bottom layers at a depth of 0.6 to 1.5 m, where there are accumulations of seaweed. If there are ebbs and flows in the selected location, then exact time their occurrence should be known, because Low tide hours are considered the most convenient for fishing.

Equipment and methods of fishing

Basic tools and methods of shrimp fishing:

  1. A shrimp net (other names are landing net or drachka), consisting of a large-diameter metal circle (at least 70 cm) or a rectangle (aluminum, etc.), on which is attached a bag up to 3-4 m long made of fine mesh, and a long durable handles. A weight is attached to the bottom of the net, and sticks are attached to the sides, with which you can pull the net along the bottom when entering the water.
  2. Trawls are made of 2 types (mid-depth and bottom), 4 ropes are tied to them, designed to be pulled so that the entire device stretches along the bottom of the reservoir behind a person. In this case, the fisherman stands waist-deep in water and drags the trawl against the current.
  3. When fishing with a net or trawl, a flashlight is a bait to attract attention. aquatic life, as well as additional lighting.

Homemade traps are widely used for catching Black Sea shrimp. To make a shrimp tank you will need the following materials:

  • nylon mesh with cell 14 - piece 1.5x1.5 m;
  • galvanized rigid wire - 3−4 m;
  • thin wire braided in plastic - 0.6 m;
  • 4 m of nylon thread (twine);
  • float (plastic bottle, etc.) and rope.

First, a piece of mesh is taken and stitched into the shape of a large pipe. Another piece measuring 15x30 cm is similarly sewn along the length to enter the trap. A piece of thin wire is passed through it to create a ring-shaped entrance. The edges of the wire must be twisted and secured.

Then the galvanized wire is threaded into the cells in the form of a spiral, which will hold the trap with rings. After 2-3 turns inside and 1 outside, its ends must be fixed at the first and last rings. Then you get a circle, then both edges of the large pipe need to be sewn to the wire rings using twine.

At the end, between the middle rings, you should tie the bait with a rope. The float is also attached to the middle of the shrimp tank. Black Sea fishermen often use slightly rotten meat as bait.

The simplest shrimp trap is made from a plastic bottle (float), a weight and a plant called a tumbleweed or broom. Several bushes need to be tied, a sinker attached to the bottom, and a float on top. The trap should be lowered to a depth of 1 m overnight. Shrimps climb en masse on wet plants. In the morning, all that remains is to shake them out into a nearby bucket. However, this old-fashioned method is considered poaching and may be subject to a fine.

Natural enemies in nature

In conditions wildlife Most young shrimp die while still in the larval stage, because they are tasty and healthy food for many underwater inhabitants. They are eaten by bottom-dwelling fish species, seabirds and even some mammals. A very small number survive to adulthood.

Restrictions and bans on shrimp fishing

In accordance with the Order of the Ministry of Agriculture, a ban on shrimp fishing is annually imposed for the entire summer period. From June 1 to August 31, 1 person is allowed to catch no more than 5 kg of crustaceans. Fish protection officers carry out daily raids along the Crimean coast in order to prevent shrimp fishing.

However, from September 1, the season resumes. The condition of shrimp in the Azov and Black Seas, according to experts, is favorable. Their number is growing steadily, which is of interest to the official fishery and contributes to a rich catch.

Since 2016, fishing for these crustaceans has been carried out by mining organizations in the Krasnodar Territory and Crimea. The caught catch is supplied to restaurants and other food establishments. The domestic market for shrimp is in high demand due to its rapid reproduction. According to statistics, the annual shrimp catch in Cherny and Seas of Azov is more than 1.5 tons.

Shrimps(from lat. Caridea) belong to the infraorder Crustaceans, a type of arthropod. They are common in the seas of almost the entire world, and some types of shrimp also live in freshwater bodies of water. According to its size different types shrimp are different from each other. So, an adult can be only 2 cm in length, but can reach 30 cm.

Shrimp are low in calories: 100 g contains only 94.5 kcal. However, they are very nutritious due to their high protein content. Their composition is so rich and varied that to maintain good health and vigor, it is enough to eat only a handful of this seafood.

Origin

As mentioned above, shrimp are freshwater and marine, but by their origin they all come from the World Ocean. Most shrimp live in the equatorial zone, which gives reason to assume that this is where their real homeland is. The farther from the equator in both directions, the fewer species shrimp and other crustaceans.

Shrimp are creatures of different sexes: females are larger, they have a wide tail and convex sides. When the female reaches puberty, eggs appear under the tail; the smell of their pheromones attracts males, who fertilize these eggs. After 4-6 weeks, larvae are born, which have to go through about 12 more instar stages before turning into adults.

Nutritional value

Shrimp is called one of the most healthy products nutrition. The concentration of vitamins and microelements in shrimp is 50 (!) times higher than in meat, and their composition is truly diverse.

Thus, shrimp contain a lot of potassium, calcium, zinc, iodine, sulfur, phosphorus, as well as Omega-3 polyunsaturated acid. This seafood is also rich in vitamins: E, C, PP, A, H, B vitamins. By the way, a large amount of vitamin B12 contained in shrimp promotes the production of hemoglobin and nourishes nervous system. In addition, eating shrimp is very important when losing weight: the product contains practically no sugar and fat, but at the same time it perfectly satisfies hunger due to its high protein content.

Use in cooking

Most often, shrimp are added to salads, soups, pastas and risotto; this seafood is also included in some sauces. King and tiger prawns are sometimes served as independent dishes: for example, in the form of skewers or simply fried in a frying pan. As a rule, such shrimps are not eaten boiled: their meat becomes “rubbery” and almost tasteless.

Small shrimp, on the contrary, are delicious when cooked. They are cooked in boiling salted water with the addition of dill, parsley, cumin, bay leaf or pepper until the shrimp float to the surface of the water (about 3-5 minutes). To make the shrimp more juicy and tasty, you can leave them in the broth for 10-15 minutes after cooking.

Application in medicine and cosmetology

Thanks to the content large quantities minerals, trace elements and nutrients, shrimp help the human body to grow and develop correctly and fully. If you eat this product regularly, the likelihood of colds and respiratory diseases decreases, immunity increases, and the risk of allergies decreases. In addition, eating shrimp is recommended for people with cancer.

Contraindications

Shrimp are considered such a safe product that they have virtually no contraindications. This healthy seafood can be given even to children. However, we should not forget about such a phenomenon as an allergy to seafood. Unfortunately, you shouldn’t eat shrimp in this case either.

Interesting facts
It is important to know how to choose the right shrimp. In this case, it is necessary first of all
pay attention to them appearance. Seafood tends to change color
with temperature changes. Therefore, if you see pale pink shrimp in front of you
color, it is likely that they were thawed and re-frozen.
Of course, in this case the product loses all its beneficial properties.

Pay attention to the color of the shrimp heads. Green heads should not cause concern:
this color only indicates that the shrimp fed on plankton. Here are the black shades
shrimp heads should make you wary: most likely, this is of poor quality
goods that have been in a defrosted state for a long time.