Description, reproduction, behavior in nature and the value of the beluga. The biggest beluga: confirmed facts Where is the beluga fish

This is a fish of the sturgeon family, included in the Red Book as an endangered species. It lives in the Black, Caspian, Adriatic and Mediterranean seas. Due to the gigantic size of individual individuals, the beluga is the largest freshwater fish. Which is probably not surprising, because this species is unusually ancient. The age of sturgeons is more than 200 million years, when very large fish and animals reigned on Earth. Just look at the Danube beluga - a relative of dinosaurs. So, what is the weight of the largest beluga on Earth?

In 1827, a beluga was caught in the lower reaches of the Volga, weighing one and a half tons, that is, 1,500 kilograms. Just imagine, such a weight is comparable to the weight of some whales. So, the narwhal whale weighs about 940 kilograms, and the killer whale - 3600 kilograms. That is, this fish weighed like half a killer whale and more than a narwhal!

On average, a standard beluga weighs about 19 kilograms.(fish weight typical for the Northern Caspian). In the past, the average weight of a beluga on the Volga was about 70-80 kg, in the Danubian area of ​​the Black Sea - 50-60 kg, on the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov, the fish weighed 60-80 kg. But in the Don Delta, males weighed 75-90 kg, and females - as much as 166 kg. Even the average weight already speaks of the grandiose size and severity of this fish.

However, the average weight of most individuals in the population is not even close to the record weight of the largest beluga. On May 11, 1922, at the mouth of the Volga, in the Caspian Sea, a beluga was caught weighing 1224 kilograms, that is, 1.2 tons! At the same time, 667 kilograms fell on the body, 288 kilograms on the head and 146.5 kilograms on the calf.

The weight of the female during the spawning period increases many times. After all, the beluga throws millions of eggs! In 1924, a female of the same weight of 1.2 tons was caught on Biryuchya Spit in the Caspian Sea. At the same time, 246 kilograms of weight accounted for caviar. The total number of eggs was 7.7 million!

One female can carry up to 320 kilograms of caviar. Beluga wears them until the spring spawning. Waiting for him, the female hibernates in the rivers, falling into hibernation and overgrown with mucus, like a stone. If it happens that the female does not find a suitable place for spawning, she will not spawn, and the eggs will eventually dissolve inside her.

A huge amount of caviar is laid by nature in the beluga not by chance. Its task is to ensure the survival of the species. After all, beluga caviar is carried away by the current, eaten by other fish. Out of a hundred thousand eggs, only one will survive.

Records of giant beluga do not end with the above examples. On May 3, 1926, a 75-year-old female weighing more than one ton was caught at the mouth of the Urals. She carried 190 kg of caviar.

Beluga, whose stuffed animal is kept in the National Museum of Tatarstan, weighs about one ton. This fish was caught at the beginning of the 20th century in the lower reaches of the Volga. In the southern part of the Caspian Sea in 1836, a beluga weighing 960 kg was caught.

Over time, the record weight of the largest beluga was decreasing and no longer exceeded a ton. In 1970, an 800-ton beluga was caught on the Volga, which contained 112 kg of caviar. In the same place in 1989 they caught a fish weighing 966 kg. Now it is stored in the Astrakhan Museum.

On the territory of the Russian Federation there are many reservoirs that are home to the most amazing creatures. Among them is the beluga fish, which is the largest predatory fish with a unique appearance, behavior and characteristics. Previously, the animal was considered very common, but the development of civilization and the prosperity of poaching significantly harmed the population.

The main advantage of the representatives of the species is the affordable cost.. And although the fish meat is quite tough, it is no worse in taste than other varieties of the sturgeon family. At the same time, the price per kilogram is only 15 US dollars, which is very cheap.

However, during spawning, the creature produces the most valuable product - beluga caviar, which is considered one of the most elite and expensive, which contributes to the prosperity of illegal fishing. For example, albino beluga caviar is sold in strictly limited quantities at a price of 18,500 euros per kilogram. During the year, only 8-10 kilograms of a rare product enter the European market.

Under natural conditions, the number is so small that the existence of the beluga depends only on the functioning of fish farms and private reservoirs.

As for the sturgeon family itself, it includes the most ancient fish species with a long history. They are distinguished by their characteristic appearance, as well as the presence of five rows of bone shields that are located along the elongated body.

From other representatives of the sturgeon family, the beluga received an elongated head, while in the lower part there are 4 antennae that reach the mouth opening. In addition, some properties of more primitive cartilaginous creatures are noticed in its structure, but the beluga has an elastic cartilaginous chord at the base of the skeleton, which allows it to fully function and develop even in the absence of vertebrae.

The list of the most common types of sturgeon includes the following:

1. Stellate sturgeon.
2. Kuluga.
3. Beluga.
4. Sterlet.

These fish are impressive in size, but the true champion is the beluga. The body length of the fish reaches 4 meters, and the weight sometimes exceeds 1000 kilograms. And although the main population is concentrated within the Black and Caspian Seas, during the spawning period, the species massively moves to freshwater rivers, literally filling them.

As mentioned above, the beluga is the largest freshwater fish that can weigh from 50 to 1000 kilograms, depending on living conditions. As for individuals that are caught on an industrial scale, they reach 50-80 kilograms of weight. The life expectancy of some beluga is about 100 years.

A feature of the predator is the ability to hunt from the very first days of its existence. Those creatures that spend a significant part of their time in the seas are the most inveterate predators, because they eat mainly fish. Under natural habitat conditions, the beluga forms hybrid varieties, crossing with the following species of sturgeon:

1. With sterlet - as a result, a fish called "bester" is formed, which is the most popular beluga hybrid. It is grown for industrial purposes, which is associated with the high palatability of the meat obtained during processing. Also, the product has a high nutritional value, which increases the demand for cultivation.
2. stellate sturgeon.
3. Spike fish.
4. Sturgeon.

Similar hybrids inhabit the Azov Sea basin and some reservoirs.

If you want to know what a beluga looks like, pay attention to the following external characteristics of the species:

1. The fish has a long body, which resembles a large gray spindle with light shades in the abdominal part.
2. The caudal fin is unevenly lobed and has an upper lobe twice as large as the lower one.

The beluga is also distinguished by a pointed but short snout, under which there is a huge crescent-shaped mouth and two pairs of whiskers with pronounced leaf-like appendages along the entire length of each antennae.

In addition to its impressive size, the beluga is also distinguished by a thick cylindrical body. The pointed nose is slightly translucent due to the absence of bony shields. The bony shields on the head and flanks are underdeveloped, with 13 units on the back, 40–45 on the sides, and about 12 on the peritoneum.

This representative of the sturgeon family belongs to the group of anadromous creatures, so he can live freely in both fresh and salt water. To understand where the beluga is found in Russia, it is necessary to pay attention to such seas with different salinity indicators.

1. Caspian and Azov (salinity here is low, and ranges from 12 to 13 ppm).
2. Black Sea (salinity indicators vary in the range of 17-18 ppm).
3. Mediterranean Sea (salinity is high, as in the ocean - it is about 35 ppm).

For laying caviar, beluga massively move to rivers:

As mentioned above, the beluga is a long-lived fish. that can live up to 100 years. And if the Pacific salmon spawns only once in a lifetime, after which it dies, then the beluga is capable of producing offspring an unlimited number of times. After a successful spawning, adults return to the sea, continuing to feed fat until a new spawning. Because of this lifestyle, they are called walkers.

As for caviar, it has a dark gray color with a characteristic silvery tint, as well as a rather large size (diameter is up to 2.5 millimeters). Caviar is deposited on the bottom, where it settles on all kinds of substrate. Newborn fry are also quite large, because they can have a length of 15 to 24 mm. After birth, they immediately go to sea, but sometimes it takes several years.

Puberty ends in males at the age of 13-18 years, while females begin spawning at 16 years old, and some at 27. Representatives of the Sea of ​​\u200b\u200bAzov are distinguished by early maturation, males living there go to spawn as early as 12 years old.

The fertility of the beluga depends on the living conditions and food supply. As a rule, females of different sizes can produce about 500,000-1,000,000 eggs. In rare cases, this number rises to 5 million. At the same time, the inhabitants of different rivers demonstrate different indicators of fertility. For example, individuals that live in the Volga and have a length of about 2.5 meters bring about 900 thousand eggs. The inhabitants of the Kura River with the same size hardly spawn 700 thousand eggs..

If we compare beluga meat with the meat of other fish, then it has a coarser structure, but an incredible taste and nutritional value, due to which it is appreciated all over the world. On the basis of the beluga product, delicious balyk products are created, as well as many cold and hot snacks.

Beluga also gives humanity delicious caviar, so fish are massively caught on an industrial scale, starting with individuals weighing 5 kilograms or more. Of course, in most cases, the weight significantly exceeds this indicator, because the animal quickly gains weight and grows to an impressive size. And although the beluga is considered the longest-lived fish in freshwater reservoirs, the maximum age of individuals that are grown on an industrial scale , rarely exceeds 30-40 years.

Beluga is a common red fish, which arranges wintering camps in river pits, where it goes at the end of autumn and waits for the spring season for spawning. Juveniles prefer estuaries or shallow sea areas.

The middle depths are suitable as a winter hut for older individuals that have already spawned and returned to the sea before the first frost. The largest individuals aged 30-50 years are found only in the deepest and most remote places. Due to their physiological properties, many of them are no longer able to reproduce.

As soon as the first significant cold comes, the body of the fish is covered with a thick mucous layer, after which it falls into a state of stupor, being in it until the first heat. Before falling into hibernation, the beluga gains fat and stores the necessary energy for several months. If an individual is caught at this time, then in its stomach it will be possible to find mollusks, small crustaceans that have not been completely digested, and even a waterfowl that winters on rivers.

By the way, you should pay attention to one curious fact: if the beluga fails to find a suitable place for spawning, it may not start spawning. Such fastidiousness is especially noticeable in adults, who have repeatedly reproduced offspring.

Feed preferences and interesting facts

The main share of the Beluga diet is occupied by shellfish., crustaceans and small representatives of other fish species. In the absence of such food, a predator easily attacks birds that swim freely or hunt in the water, as well as small freshwater creatures.

In the settlements of the Caspian coast, the beluga is the main attribute of the fishing industry. And although the cost of fish meat is much lower than the cost of sturgeon (a kilogram of meat costs only 10-15 dollars), unique and valuable caviar is much more expensive than caviar of other red fish.

For example: “diamond” caviar is the most expensive product produced by extremely rare albino sturgeons. For a kilogram of such a delicacy, you will have to pay about 18,500 euros. The phenomenal value is due to the rich golden color, as well as the rarity of the caviar itself, which can be mined about once every 100 years. According to statistics, no more than 8-10 kilograms of "diamond" caviar appear on the European market per year.

For industrial purposes, it is customary to catch individuals weighing from 5 kilograms, but the largest beluga in the world weighed about 1500 kg and had a 7-meter body.

Going to spawn, the fish is looking for promising places that meet its requirements. If they are absent, spawning may not start at all.

Starting to spawn, the fish breaks the bottom and spawns, surrounded by a large number of snags, reeds or water barriers. At the same time, during the spawning period, it produces about 1,000,000 eggs, which are of high value to true gourmets from all over the world.

If we divide the beluga into two main groups, then it will be:

1. Winter.
2. Yarovaya.

Representatives of the species lead an exclusively near-bottom-pelagic way of life.. In the sea, they are found alone, and only periodically form groups that go to spawn in rivers. Males reach sexual maturity at the age of 12-15 years, and females - at 16-18 years. Given the fact that the fish is considered a long-liver, it can easily exist for more than 50-60 years, although such individuals are becoming less and less common.

Beluga, which is bred on fishing farms, reproduces only by artificial insemination. Thus, many hybrid varieties with unique external and physiological features have appeared.

Beluga is a fish of the sturgeon family, which today is an endangered species as a result of unauthorized capture and cruel extermination for the sake of caviar.

It is the largest fish found in fresh water. It has huge dimensions (the largest known individual reaches 6 m in length, and its weight is about two tons).

Beluga is a fish of the sturgeon family, which today is an endangered species.

Instances of this size are almost non-existent today. Due to the fact that until recently this species was commercial, and also due to the loss of natural spawning grounds, the population has noticeably decreased. So you will not meet an unusually large fish today.

The beluga has a very unusual muzzle for sturgeons. A huge mouth, resembling a giant crescent moon, occupies most of it. The antennae near the mouth are slightly flattened, resembling small leaves in shape, they serve for the sense of smell, which is very developed in these fish. But their eyesight is poor, so they navigate with the help of developed coordination.

Individuals of different sexes have the same color. Dark gray or greenish back and light, almost white belly. The females are usually larger than the males.

Beluga is a unique species that has existed for almost 200 million years and has come down to us, practically without changing its appearance (except for weight). Because of the bone coating, it seems that it is as if chained in a shell in order to safely survive to this day and be protected from the attack of other predatory inhabitants of the reservoirs.

Gallery: Beluga fish (25 photos)

The biggest trophies caught by fishermen (video)

habitats

The habitat is mainly the Black, Caspian and Azov Seas. The largest number was recorded in the Caspian Sea - here this fish can be found most often. For spawning, she goes to the Volga and rises upstream to the upper Kama. This fish was also found off the coast of Iran. A fish elevator was built for it at the Volgograd hydroelectric complex, but due to poor performance, it was not used after a while, and valuable fish ceased to inhabit the Volga en masse.

It is the largest fish found in fresh water.

The Black Sea beluga was also seen off the coast of Yalta, not far from the Crimean coast, and was actively distributed in the Danube (there were about 6 species there). The migration of fish in the Danube had a natural course until a hydroelectric power station was built between Serbia and Romania. As a result, the ways to the usual spawning routes were blocked for many kilometers. Unable to migrate, the population began to lose its genetic activity as a result of crossing between related individuals.

Fish with such a weight can only find enough food in the sea, and their presence in a reservoir indicates a healthy ecological situation. For spawning, this species travels long distances to reach freshwater environments.

If it turns out that the water is polluted, then the female refuses to spawn, and after some time the eggs dissolve in her body.

The fish constantly changes its place of stay in the reservoir, this is also typical for the white beluga, it likes to go to the depths, where there is a strong current, here it finds food, and deep holes are most suitable for recreation. In the spring, when the upper layers of water have warmed up enough, you can see a large fish near the surface and in shallow water.

With the onset of autumn, the fish goes to the depths and changes their behavior and diet, starting to eat shells and crustaceans.

All representatives of the sturgeon family travel long distances in order to find a place for spawning and a sufficient amount of food. Beluga can be found in both salt and fresh water, but some species are only freshwater and live exclusively in rivers. Reproduction occurs only in rivers, and due to the longevity of individuals, a very long period of time is required in order to reproduce offspring.

Beluga (video)

reproduction

Sexual maturity comes quite late. The Azov beluga male is ready for breeding at the age of 12 years, and the female - not earlier than 16-18 years. The Caspian species matures later, so the female becomes sexually mature by the age of 27 and gains her weight. Unlike other fish that die after spawning, the Azov beluga can produce offspring repeatedly, but with a certain period of time ranging from 2 to 4 years, so spawning can occur 8-9 times in a lifetime. The female lays on average about a million eggs, and in some cases much more, depending on her size and age.

There are 2 races that go to spawn and choose the spring or autumn migration period. Entering the river from January to May, the female spawns in the same year, and the autumn race, in order to find a suitable place for spawning and safely occupy it, comes in August and is forced to stay for the winter. Thus, she spawns only the next year after descending into the river. Falling into hibernation and covered with mucus, the beluga waits until May or June, after which it lays eggs in places with a rocky bottom and a fast current. Males appear in spawning grounds earlier than females, and the process of fertilization occurs in almost the same way as in all fish of the bone species - outwardly. In the future, individuals continue to lead a solitary lifestyle.

During spawning, the beluga fish can be observed jumping out of the water, so it provides an easy exit for eggs. Having an oval shape and the size of a small pea, dark gray eggs are glued to stones and, well fixed, remain in this position for up to 8 days. But most of it is eaten by other fish, and therefore the survival rate is very low.

After spawning occurs, the female is sick for some time and does not take food. After a short break, the need for food increases, and the beluga begins an active search for food. It is almost impossible to find it in such a volume in the river, so sturgeons go back to the sea and find food at great depths. Since the beluga is a predator, its diet is mainly fish. Herring, vobla and anchovies are the most preferred food. Moreover, this predator begins to feed on living organisms while still being a fry. Belugas live in well-warmed areas of shallow water and, as they grow older, go to the sea, eating small invertebrates along the way, and later small fish. They grow rapidly and in a year reach a meter size.

By the way, in order to increase the number of beluga, female adults are caught and eggs are extracted, after which artificial insemination is carried out and incubated in devices designed for this. The fry are allowed to grow up and then released into rivers to grow naturally.

The disadvantages of this method are that juveniles raised in an unnatural environment cannot fully take care of food and do not have a self-preservation instinct. The number of fish that come back is very small. Thus, this method proved to be ineffective.

Fishing and illegal fishing

The strictest ban is imposed on catching all sturgeon breeds. In private farms where they are bred, the ban does not apply. If a rare fish is suddenly caught on the river, then it must be released, or it will be considered poaching. But, despite all the prohibitions, the fishing of valuable fish continues, and the beluga caviar business is flourishing.

The Danube beluga is the oldest species that has been preserved since the time of dinosaurs and is carefully protected, but smuggling continues to gain momentum, and European markets are saturated with caviar of this and other sturgeon breeds. The rather high price is due to the excellent taste. By its properties, beluga caviar exceeds the calorie content of the meat itself and is a very useful product that supports health and beauty. The high content of protein, which has the unique property of being completely absorbed by the body, and the presence of antioxidants reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke. Such valuable qualities of caviar lead to the barbaric destruction of the beluga as a species. Since the fish is on the verge of extinction, it is listed in the world's Red Book and is protected by the law of those states in which it is found.

The Black Sea Beluga was also seen off the coast of Yalta near the Crimean coast, and was actively distributed in the Danube.

In Russia, there is a mechanism of administrative influence on persons engaged in illegal mining of this valuable breed. Large penalties for each individual caught, combined with a fine for illegal fishing, represent impressive amounts. It also provides for criminal liability up to imprisonment for up to 5 years.

As a result, beluga has become a pipe dream for law-abiding anglers, and it will take a lot of time and many problems with fishing licenses to find it.

Many mythical stories associated with a huge fish were told by fishermen. For example, there was a legend about a stone that was found in the kidneys of a giant beluga. Miraculous properties of healing from any ailments and ailments were attributed to him. The owner of such a trophy was protected from all sorts of troubles and misfortunes, attracted good luck and ensured a rich catch and the safety of the vessel in bad weather and storms.

They also said that it was possible to poison yourself with the poison of an enraged beluga. The meat and liver of a young individual were allegedly poisonous, but no one found confirmation of such “facts”. The expression “roar (or scream) like a beluga” is often heard now, but this has nothing to do with the sturgeon representative. Loud sounds are made by a whale with a consonant name - a beluga whale.

One of the most amazing fish, attracting attention with its size and lifestyle, is the beluga. A few decades ago, this individual was found in the waters of the Caspian and Azov Seas, in the Adriatic. To date, its habitat has shrunk. Fish are found in the Black Sea and the Urals. In the Volga and Azov, a very similar, but different subspecies is found, which in 90% of cases is grown artificially. Thanks to this, it is possible to maintain the population.

The habitat of the beluga is shrinking every year.

Description of the sea giant

Beluga fish is considered one of the largest and brightest representatives of the sturgeon family. Unlike other species, it has pronounced external features:

• obtuse small nose with a pointed end, slightly translucent due to the absence of bone shields;
• wide mouth with a thickened lower lip;
• very thick and well-fed cylindrical body;
• a small bug (thorn) on the dorsal row;
• grayish-dark shade of a giant body, white belly.

The average weight of a beluga is 90-120 kg

The largest beluga ever caught surprised by its weight of 1.5 tons and body length of 4.2 meters. The trophy is stored in the Museum of Tatarstan, where thousands of amateurs and professional anglers come every year to see this miracle. It is impossible to catch a similar large specimen in our time, since the catch is on a large industrial scale. Today, the largest beluga caught in the Volga weighs no more than 450-500 kg. The maximum weight of immature young animals is within 40 kg. On average, the mass of fish going to spawn is 100-120 kg (females) or 90 kg (males).

The giant sturgeon lives for more than a hundred years, if not caught in the nets of merciless fishermen. The population is under the protection of the Red Book, but extreme fishing enthusiasts do not care about prohibitions. In Russia, catching beluga is punishable by a heavy fine.

Beluga is listed in the Red Book

It is difficult to accurately name the environment and places where a huge sturgeon can live, because it is considered an anadromous species. He can be found both in the seas and in the rivers, where he has to swim in order to profit from tasty and affordable prey. During spawning, the beluga even goes to the Crimean coast or to freshwater places, where it can quickly destroy local inhabitants.

Nutrition and behavior in nature

Beluga looks intimidating, and not in vain. She does not disdain any inhabitants of reservoirs. Everyone who approaches the fish at an extremely close distance instantly finds themselves in its huge stomach. Omnivorous sea giants most prefer in their diet:

• sea ​​gobies;
• herring;
• anchovy;
• all representatives of the carp family;
• carp;
• rudd;
• roach.

Beluga is not squeamish and can eat everything that comes in its way

In nature, there are cases when the beluga eats water rats and mice. During the autopsy of some individuals, even their own cubs, which had recently appeared from eggs, were found in the stomach cavity. The growing young can feed on mollusks and various invertebrates, as well as sprat and roach.

Spawning and reproduction

The peculiarities of the reproduction of the beluga on the Volga are explained by the presence in nature of its two different races (forms): spring and winter. One wave, in winter, goes to spawn in the Volga or the Black Sea coast in September-October. The second, spring, spawns from March to mid-April. The active movement of fish is observed when the water temperature in the river is 7-8 degrees, and the flood reaches its maximum.

Most of the beluga fry, barely hatched, swim into the Caspian Sea with adults

For throwing caviar, the beluga chooses places with a depth of more than 4 meters in the rapids of the rivers, prefers a rocky bottom. One female has over 200 thousand eggs, but most often their number is from 5 to 8 million. The diameter of one egg is 3-4 mm.

After the end of spawning, the fish quickly returns to the marine environment. The larvae emerging from the eggs do not remain in the Volga for a long time and also follow the adults.

Use in cooking

The meat of a huge sturgeon in Russian cuisine is considered a valuable delicacy. Amazingly tasty, nutritious and healthy dishes are prepared from it. Real masterpieces are obtained with any method of cooking fish:

• frying;
• dried;
• smoking;
• baking;
• steam cooking;
• grilling.

Beluga shish kebab is especially appreciated by gourmets: incredibly tender meat baked with smoke cannot leave indifferent even the most sophisticated connoisseur of fish dishes.

Beluga meat contains a number of useful vitamins and amino acids.

A large representative of sturgeon is valued not only for its unique taste, but also for a set of health benefits. Firstly, tender meat contains a large amount of easily digestible protein. with low calorie foods. The delicacy saturates the body with essential amino acids (they are not synthesized and can only be obtained with certain foods).

Secondly, in the marine life, as in other seafood, there is fluorine, calcium and other trace elements necessary to maintain healthy bones, hair, nails and skin beauty. Potassium, which is part of the meat, supports the heart muscle, preventing heart attack and stroke. Thanks to vitamin A, the use of valuable sturgeon improves visual acuity, and vitamin D prevents osteoporosis and rickets.

The value of caviar

Special attention deserves caviar, which is obtained from the huge inhabitants of the seas and rivers. Females are capable of throwing the largest possible eggs. As you know, black caviar is an expensive, healthy delicacy that is recommended for both children and adults. Natural bioproduct has a positive effect on all organ systems.

The high price of black caviar is due to the duration of growing adults

Growing beluga in the commercial economy takes about 15 years in order to obtain caviar. Under natural conditions, catching valuable specimens is prohibited, so the cost of the finished product is impressive. For 100 grams of black caviar, you have to pay from 10 to 15 thousand rubles, and the price of a kilogram in European markets often exceeds 10 thousand dollars. Most of the goods found on the market appear counterfeit.

Problems of population conservation

Beluga belongs to the species of fish disappearing from the planet. Most individuals do not have time to grow to their maximum size, as they are caught by poachers and lovers of unusual marine trophies. In addition to fishermen, industrial facilities have also contributed to the decline in the population. Due to the active construction of hydroelectric power plants, the dams of which are located on the migration path of fish, create obstacles for their movement to spawn. Due to hydraulic structures and their dams, the flow of beluga to the rivers of Hungary, Slovakia, and Austria is completely blocked.

Beluga numbers are declining every year

Another problem is the constantly deteriorating environment. Since the life expectancy of the beluga is several years and even reaches a century, toxic, harmful substances that enter the environment as a result of human activities have time to accumulate in it. Pesticides, chemicals and hormones negatively affect the reproductive capabilities of the giant fish.

A lot of effort will have to be made to preserve the unique king fish, otherwise the population will soon completely disappear from the planet. The unique species is not only a valuable delicacy, but also an important part of the food chain in the marine environment.

Beluga is a freshwater fish that has survived to this day from ancient times. Its ancestors existed on earth as early as the Jurassic period, which was 200 million years ago.

This is the largest of all freshwater fish that have ever existed on our planet. Her body can reach a length of about five meters, and she can weigh about two tons.

This giant fish has only one relative - it is kaluga, which lives in the Far Eastern rivers.

The body of a beluga is shaped like a torpedo, it narrows towards the tail, and five rows of bone plates pass along its sides, which are also called shields, the task of which is to protect the fish from external influences. The upper part of this fish is colored greenish or dark gray, and its belly is usually white.

The muzzle of the beluga has a peculiar shape: its lower part is elongated and slightly turned up. It is on this part of it that the antennae are located, which have the functions of the organs of smell. Behind them is a mouth shaped like a sickle. Different-sex representatives of this species do not differ from each other in color. But in size, females are superior to males.

The main habitat of the beluga is the Caspian Sea, although it can also be found in other seas - for example, the Azov, Black or Adriatic. But with the approach of the spawning period, the beluga leaves the salty waters and goes upstream the freshwater rivers, and rises quite high along them. Belugas lead a solitary lifestyle, making exceptions only for the spawning period, in order to mate.

Beluga is the largest among the family.

Spawning takes place in the spring, and not every year. As a rule, this fish needs a break of 2 to 4 years. After the female rises up the river, she lays a huge number of eggs - from three hundred thousand to seven and a half million. After that, he considers his mission accomplished and returns back to the sea. Young beluga hatch into the light somewhere in May-June and immediately fully show their predatory character. The main food for them at this time are small invertebrates. So, refreshing along the way, the Belugas gradually move towards the sea. In a month they grow up to 7-10 cm, and in a year - up to 1 meter.

Beluga is a relative of the sturgeon.

Under favorable circumstances, a female can spawn about nine times in her life. But the fact that this fish and its caviar are of great commercial value does not allow it to live, in most cases, even half of the time measured by nature. They catch it both legally and illegally.