atran, spiny shark- the only shark in the Black Sea, usually less than a meter in length, although the maximum size of this fish in the North Sea is up to 2 m. Katran almost never rises to the surface and does not approach the shore, one of the reasons for this is that he is cold-loving. Katrans feed on both bottom invertebrates and bottom fish - whiting, flounders, attack shoals of anchovies. Katran is an ovoviviparous fish. In spring, katrans mate at a depth of more than 30 meters, they have internal fertilization. After that, up to 30 eggs begin to develop in the body of the female! But the most amazing, absolute among the sharks, the record of the katrans is the duration of their pregnancy - it lasts for them 1.5-2 years! After such a period, one by one, the katranies begin to jump out of the mother’s body, ready for an independent predatory life. Only late autumn flocks of katrans approach the shores, and then the reckless Black Sea fishermen prepare large hooks and bait - pieces of lard; for some reason, the katran bites better on fat. It is not dangerous for a person - katrans, if they meet divers, are the first to flee. Seeing a katran under water is the dream of many Black Sea spearfishers, but I know only one person who, in his entire 20-year career as a professional diver, once, in the cold November water, saw a flock of Black Sea sharks. The katran can bring trouble to fishermen who get him from the trawl: the spines in front of his dorsal fins are sharp and poisoned, there are poisonous glands at their base, therefore, although the poison is far from fatal, it is better to avoid katran injections. Katran is a very tasty fish, but you need to know how to cook it - in his blood, like all sharks, it contains a lot of ammonia, and if you do not get rid of it, immediately draining all the blood from the caught fish, a pungent smell will remain. But shark dishes, and katran in particular, have one very positive quality- no bones! Generally! Remember, after all, sharks are cartilaginous fish, and there is not a single bone in their skeleton. The skin of katrans has long been valued. Shark scales are not the same as those of bony fish, in fact - these are the same shark teeth, but growing from the skin. The katran has teeth - the scales are very strong and sharp, they are directed back - towards the tail. Therefore, when you stroke the skin of a katran from head to tail, the feeling is that there is smooth cold silk under the palm of your hand, but to hold your hand in reverse direction- it won’t work at all: hundreds of needle-scales will dig into the skin. Since time immemorial, craftsmen have used this property of katrany skin for polishing. valuable breeds tree.
Text: A. Vershinin. Life of the Black Sea, - M: MAKTSENTR. Publisher - 2003, pp. 82-83.
Katran fish, or prickly shark, as it is also called, is a representative of the family of prickly sharks (Squalidae). This fish has sharp spines in front of each of the dorsal fins, which is its hallmark. There are large spots on the dark gray back, as well as on the sides of the katran. white color, which is why this fish is also called the spotted white shark. The skin of the katran is covered with dense small scales, vaguely resembling sandpaper; teeth - small, multi-row, single-apex.
In the waters of the Black Sea, the spiny shark is found off the coast in spring and summer, and occasionally appears in the Sea of Azov. But in general, this species is one of the most common in the World Ocean: the katran can be found in the North and White Seas in the north the globe and in the ocean near New Zealand and Chile in the south.
As a rule, the length of the prickly Black Sea shark is within 160 cm and weighs 16 kg. Occasionally there are katrans up to 2 m long. The life expectancy of this fish is about 25 years. Katran is a schooling fish. Mating of males and females occurs in late winter - early spring. Those quatrains that have reached 10-12 years old are considered sexually mature. The duration of pregnancy is almost two years. prickly black sea shark- a representative of viviparous fish, females of this species, on average, give birth to 14 sharks. The katran cubs are born fully formed, about 25 cm long and weighing 40-50 g. In the first year they grow by only 10 cm.
Katran fish is a typical predator, massively eating small fish species - anchovy, sprat and larger whiting and horse mackerel. In search of food, the spiny shark makes long migrations, migrating to autumn period behind clusters of anchovy and horse mackerel along the eastern shores of the Black Sea. This fish also performs diurnal migrations, sinking to the bottom during the light season and rising to the surface at night. Katran, like other sharks, has a developed sense of smell and does not feel pain.
In the fishing industry, the spiny shark is an important object - the annual production of the katran in the oceans reaches 30 thousand tons.
For fishermen who trade in the Black Sea, katran fish is one of the traditional objects of fishing. The spiny shark is harvested using nets and baited hooks. Katran meat contains almost 12% fat, it has a pleasant taste and delicate texture. Especially tasty smoked katran. Fish sticks are made from the fillet of this fish. The liver of the spiny shark makes up a quarter of the total body weight of the fish, and the fat content in the liver reaches 75%, which allows the fish to swim perfectly without the presence of a swim bladder. Liver fat is rich in vitamins A and D, it is used for the manufacture of medicines and is used for technical purposes. The cartilage of the spiny shark is also used in medicine, and its skin is used as an abrasive material in the processing of precious woods and felt. Craftsmen make an original and impressive souvenir from the jaw of a katran, fins and cartilage are used to make glue, and pepsin is extracted from the stomach of a fish.
Fishermen-lovers of katran fish are attracted, first of all, by their large size and incredible resistance when fishing. To successfully catch a spiny shark, you must use a nylon cord or a strong fishing line with a load at the end of the tackle and large hooks on the leashes. Fish (merlang, horse mackerel, etc.) are used as bait. The most successful period for catching katran from boats on the high seas is spring and autumn.
The depth of the sea is fraught with many mysteries and dangers. Scientists still have not revealed all the secrets that are hidden under the water column. Little-studied underwater inhabitants, widely famous fish, marvelous underwater plants - all this can be found at the bottom of rivers, lakes, seas and oceans.
It's no secret that the water lives not fewer predators than on dry land. Piranhas, sharks, poisonous jellyfish pose a real threat to human life. But sometimes there are exceptions, for example, the katran shark.
This representative underwater world belong to the order of catranoid, the family of dog (or prickly) sharks. In comparison with its relatives, the katran shark is small, its body does not exceed 120-125 cm in length, and its weight is also relatively small, about 11-12 kg. None of the relatives of the spiny shark lives in the Black Sea, except for the katran.
In appearance, this is a medium-sized predator, very similar to its relatives. Elongated body, most often gray in color. The bottom and belly of the fish are white. The dorsal fin is triangular, there is no anal fin, the lateral fins are even, straight and of medium length. A distinctive feature of the katran shark is considered to be the presence of a third nictitating eyelid- a kind of eye membrane.
The scales of this subspecies are strong and dense, similar to bone tissue. The fins are sharp. Like everyone else, shark teeth are arranged in several rows, they are very sharp. Throughout life there is a constant change of teeth: old ones fall out, new ones grow. The shark has sharp spines covered with a toxic slimy substance, however, the venom is not fatal.
The spiny shark has an excellent sense of smell that helps her to hunt. There are no gill covers, the forehead is convex, the eyes are round and black. You can call this species a long-liver, lives for about 25 years. Fast and nimble fish. Males are larger than females.
The katran shark never attacks a person. A person can only get hurt on the sharp scales of a fish. The fish itself is practically incapable of experiencing pain.
The spiny shark is found in many seas, it prefers moderate climate zone. It is found in the Western Atlantic, Angola, Argentina, in the Mediterranean Sea. Has been seen in Japan. This is not a heat-loving fish, so they feel much better in a cool sea than in a warm one. But she likes life in the Black Sea, as there is a unique flora and fauna. It does not move far from the coast, but it also avoids shallow water. The optimal depth for a spiny shark is 100-200 meters deep. Prefers to lead a secluded lifestyle. Often migrates in search of food, mainly for schools of fish that are hunted.
The greatest depth to which dog sharks are able to descend is 1649 m. There is evidence that the katran was caught from such a depth.
Like any predator, representatives of this species prefer to eat fish. There is plenty of food on the sea and ocean floor, so Favorite delicacy for katran are:
Shark katran is able to hunt even a dolphin. Dolphins are eaten mainly by females.
Sexual maturity in males and females occurs at different ages. Females are ready for spawning at the age of 17 years, while their body length is 125 cm. Sometimes puberty can occur a couple of years earlier, that is, at the age of 13-14 years, with a body length of 110-115 cm, the female is ready for spawning.
The male reaches sexual maturity at the age of 13-14, the length of his body is 110-120 cm. The mating season usually begins in spring, in April or May.
This type of fish prefers to mate at a depth of about 40 meters. The female fry bears more than 20 months, it is considered to be an ovoviviparous shark. Fertilization of the female is internal.
By autumn, pregnant females rise 10-20 meters up, keeping closer to the shore. One female is able to give birth to about 10-12 fry.
Fry are born about 28-30 cm long, vaguely resemble their parents. In the first days of life, the fry feed through the yolk sac, which stores a supply of nutrients.
Despite the fact that this type of sea and ocean fish is not dangerous to humans, the katran sometimes confuses a person with all his plans. She is able to damage fishermen:
However, it should be remembered that the spiny shark is not an ornamental fish, it is a predator and is capable of becoming aggressive. Curious tourists are not recommended to take fish in their hands - there is a chance to get hurt by its spikes and infect. Poison is not lethal, but the pain after the injury is very noticeable.
Shark meat has a specific ammonia smell. Katran is a few of the sharks that do not have this unpleasant smell. Established industrial capture. In the regions of England, China, Norway, a prickly shark is caught on an industrial scale.
In the 30s of the last century, canned food was actively produced from the meat of the spiny shark. They were called "Smoked Eel" and were very popular. Today, katran is also used in medicine. Balyks are prepared from meat, which are somewhat reminiscent of smoked sturgeon. The liver of the spiny katran shark is used in the manufacture of medicines, it is extremely rich in vitamin A and D.
On the banks Atlantic Ocean The dog shark has been designated a vulnerable species. Due to the fact that the female bears fry for a long time, the population does not have time to grow and uncontrolled capture of this species can lead to the disappearance of the shark katran.
Exotic lovers tried to breed this species at home. This is possible if the proper space and maintenance of the fish is provided. You will need a large aquarium, where there will be plenty of space. These fish love space, move a lot. With a lack of free space, with a sedentary lifestyle, the fish will die.
We are accustomed to consider the Black Sea one of the safest in terms of marine life. In fact, the way it is, although there are some individuals here, a meeting with which does not bode well. Among them are the Cornerot jellyfish, sea ruff, stingray, sea dragon. There are also sharks, which, by the way, are completely safe for humans. Let's talk about them.
There are two types of sharks in the Black Sea - katran and cat. They pose no threat to humans. The only exceptions are fishermen, who can get hurt while catching them. But here, as they say, they themselves are to blame. It's all the fault of negligence when removing the caught fish from the hook, which can injure with its fins. As for cases of attacks on a person, they were not recorded. Katran is not an aggressive predator. Even when wounded by a harpoon, he does not attack the fisherman, although he could well do this. Fortunately, his teeth are very sharp. Caught on the hook, he desperately resists, trying to free himself. That is why, when removing the fish from the hook, you need to be especially careful. Before doing this, the katran must be stunned.
The skin of the katran is very rough. It is covered with plates of scales, with sharp spikes. By appearance they resemble shark teeth, which are similar in sharpness to the teeth of a bench saw. If a tooth is worn out or broken, then a new one immediately grows in its place. This process is constant for the katran, and does not end until his death. A similar situation is with the skin of the Black Sea shark. When she is injured, the regeneration process is activated, and the wound quickly heals.
Until recently, the katran was caught not only for its tasty meat, but also because of its skin, which was used for grinding metals, precious wood products, and marble slabs. It was also used in the manufacture of book bindings. In ancient China, the skin was pulled over the shields of warriors. It was almost impossible to break through such a shield with a spear. Used in antiquity and shark teeth. They were equipped with combat batons, which then became a deadly weapon. Speaking of residents North America, then they used shark teeth as razors. The skin of a katran is also used in our time. Women's bags, shoes, and household items are sewn from it.
Compared to other types of sharks, the katran has a relatively small size, from 1.5 to 2 meters in length. Its body is gray-brown in color, with white spots on the sides. The dorsal fins are very sharp, with spikes at the ends. He has no skeleton. It is replaced by cartilage, which makes the katran extremely agile and fast. After all, it is the cartilaginous skeleton that allows the shark to make energetic movements with its body, which is its original mover.
AT summer time Katran prefers to be in warm coastal waters. In winter, it goes to the open sea to great depths, up to 100 meters. The Black Sea shark lives on average 30 years. The period of puberty begins at the age of 15. For a long time, the katran remains faithful to its chosen one, therefore, there is an equilibrium in the sex ratio of fish. Katran is a viviparous fish. She brings offspring in April and May. This happens in the open sea, at a depth of up to 100 meters. Born sharks from the first minutes are ready for independent life. They feed on shellfish small fish, shrimp.
The sea dog, or katran (from the Greek Squalus acanthias - prickly) is one of the main predators of the Black Sea. This shark is very different from its other counterparts. The name comes from the main sign of the fish - the spines on the fins. The opinion of many fishermen regarding the toxicity of these spines is not true. The danger is provided by the mucus with which they are covered - fertile ground for many bacteria. When it enters a wound, the bacteria can cause infection, with redness and pain. By the way, the thorns of the katran in old times used instead of toothpicks.
Katrans are schooling fish that do not tolerate solitary swimming. They live at a depth of up to 40 meters, where the water temperature is kept at a temperature of 14-15 degrees, in summer they descend even deeper. They avoid bathers and divers, so the photo of the katran in natural environment a rare event. Like all sharks, the teeth of the katran constantly grow in place of those that have fallen out or broken.
Katran (Squalus acanthias) - Black Sea shark
Also katrans are viviparous. In autumn, the female shark brings about 15 babies. Each is 25-27 cm in size, while the length of an adult shark does not exceed 160 cm. There is a legend about the longevity of katrans. In fact, they live for about 30 years, although the fry finally mature 15-17 years after birth. The age of a shark can be roughly calculated from the rings on its fin spine. Every summer, during a period of rapid growth, a new light ring appears on the spike, while a dark one appears in winter.
The diet of katrans is shrimp, crabs, sprats, horse mackerel and whiting.
AT Soviet time katrans, as well as, were on the list of industrial catches. The meat of the katran was used for canned food and salmon. The liver was used for the production of technical and medical fat. The tails and fins went to the production of glue. In addition, the fins were also used as food. From the cartilage of the katran, the medical preparation "Katrex" was made. It was believed that it helps in the treatment of cancerous tumors, this has not been scientifically confirmed so far.
This small fish 1-1.5 m long is a relative of the most dangerous marine predators- sharks, does not pose any danger to swimmers. And divers, lovers of underwater photo-hunting are challenged by katrans, and they are offered to test their endurance and ingenuity in order to get a unique picture of the Crimean predator. 
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