Beluga (sturgeon)

The beluga, , or European sturgeon (Huso huso) is a species of anadromous fish in the sturgeon family (Acipenseridae) of order Acipenseriformes. It is found primarily in the Caspian and Black Sea basins, and occasionally in the Adriatic Sea. Heavily fished for the female's valuable roe—known as beluga caviar— the beluga is a huge and late-maturing fish that can live for 118 years. The species' numbers have been greatly reduced by overfishing and poaching, prompting many governments to enact restrictions on its trade. The most similar to the Huso huso Beluga is the Huso dauricus Kaluga, also referred to as the "River Beluga".

The common name for the sturgeon, as for the unrelated beluga whale, is derived from the Russian word белый (belyy), meaning "white".

Behaviour

The beluga is a large predator which feeds on other fish.

As do many sturgeons, the beluga travels upstream in rivers to spawn. Accordingly, sturgeons are sometimes likened to sea fish; however most scientists consider them to be river fish.

Size

The largest generally accepted record is of a female taken in 1827 in the Volga estuary at and , making the beluga the largest freshwater fish in the world; larger even than the Mekong giant catfish or the Arapaima. Nevertheless, some...
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