Beluga (sturgeon)

Білуга (Huso huso)

The beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) is a species of anadromous fish in the sturgeon family, Acipenseridae. It is found primarily in the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and the Adriatic Sea. The beluga sturgeon is notable for being one of the largest bony fish in the world and is critically endangered due to overfishing and habitat loss.

Description

The beluga sturgeon is one of the largest sturgeon species, with some individuals reaching lengths of up to 7.2 meters (24 feet) and weights of over 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds). It has a long, spindle-shaped body, a heterocercal tail, and a distinctive elongated snout. The skin is covered with five rows of bony scutes, which provide protection.

Habitat and Distribution

Beluga sturgeons are native to the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea, and the Adriatic Sea. They migrate up rivers such as the Volga, Danube, and Ural to spawn. These fish prefer large river systems and estuaries with slow-moving waters.

Diet

Beluga sturgeons are carnivorous and primarily feed on other fish, including herring, anchovies, and gobies. Juveniles may consume invertebrates such as crustaceans and mollusks.

Reproduction

Beluga sturgeons are known for their late maturity, with females typically reaching reproductive age at around 15-20 years and males at around 10-15 years. They spawn in freshwater rivers, where the females lay thousands of eggs. The eggs are adhesive and stick to the riverbed until they hatch.

Conservation Status

The beluga sturgeon is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to overfishing, particularly for its valuable caviar, and habitat degradation. Conservation efforts include fishing bans, habitat restoration, and captive breeding programs.

Related Pages

• Sturgeon
• Caviar
• Acipenseridae
• Caspian Sea
• Black Sea
• Adriatic Sea

See Also

• List of endangered species
• Anadromous fish
• Fish migration