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Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) — Acipenseridae

Beluga sturgeon

Huso huso
Family: Acipenseridae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Acipenseridae that grows up to 800 cm.

Length
800 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Depth
70.0–180.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Open water
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The beluga sturgeon is one of the largest freshwater fishes in the world, a migratory sturgeon from the Caspian and Black Sea region. The species can reach about 8 metres and has an elongate, cartilaginous body with rows of bony scutes, an inferior mouth and barbels. It grows up at sea and ascends large rivers to spawn. As a predator it eats fish. Famous for its roe (beluga caviar), the species is critically endangered by overfishing. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Beluga sturgeon?

The Beluga sturgeon has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Beluga sturgeon live?

The Beluga sturgeon lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around open water.

How big does the Beluga sturgeon get?

The Beluga sturgeon grows to a maximum of about 800 cm. On average the species is around 215 cm.

Is the Beluga sturgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Beluga sturgeon is harmless to humans.

Is the Beluga sturgeon edible?

Yes, the Beluga sturgeon is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Beluga-steur sourced
English name
Beluga sturgeon sourced
Scientific name
Huso huso
Family
Acipenseridae
Other names
Beluga verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
800.0 verified
Average length (cm)
215.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Open water sourced
Min depth (m)
70.0 verified
Max depth (m)
180.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
118.0 verified

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Te vangen met natuurlijk aas of kunstaas, afgestemd op de grootte en het leefgebied van de soort. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Acipenseridae

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