In the territory 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 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 meat of the fish 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. The product also 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 these external characteristics type:

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.

Also, the beluga is distinguished by a pointed, but short snout, under which there is a huge crescent-shaped mouth and two pairs of mustaches 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 different early term maturation, the 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.

Another beluga gives humanity delicious caviar, therefore, 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 cannot find appropriate place to spawn, she 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 settlements The Caspian coast 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.

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 goes completely 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. From it prepare surprisingly tasty, nutritious and healthy meals. 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 beneficial 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. First, tender meat contains a large number 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 marine life, as in other seafood, there is fluoride, 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. IN 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 body have time to accumulate in it. environment as a result of human activity. 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 fish belonging to the sturgeon family, the sturgeon order. It is a valuable commercial breed, for a long time it was caught in large quantities, because of which its number was greatly reduced; is now an endangered species.

This species is the largest freshwater sturgeon fish. A catch of individuals reaching a length of up to 4.2 m was recorded. The maximum weight is 1.5 tons. Fishermen claim that when the largest beluga was caught, it reached 9 m in length and weighed more than 2 tons, but these facts nothing has been confirmed. The average size of the fish is smaller: most often the beluga comes across, the weight of which does not exceed 300 kg.

The appearance of this underwater inhabitant is similar to the appearance of other sturgeon representatives: the body is elongated, wide, rounded. Towards the tail, the body of the beluga narrows. The scales have a gray-ash hue. The belly is light, off-white in color, a yellowish tint is possible.

Do not confuse beluga and beluga: the latter is a species of toothed whales. Previously, both words meant mammal; now “beluga” means fish, “beluga” means whale.

Distinctive features

feature appearance is a large head, in the lower part of which antennae are connected together. The nose is small, pointed. Big mouth with no teeth inside. There are spikes on the back, the first of which is small. Between the gills is a membrane connecting them.

Behavior and lifestyle

This species has almost no natural enemies. Eggs, however, can be eaten by other predatory species. Some underwater predators also destroy larvae and fry. Young fry of this large predatory fish can also devour the young of this species of sturgeon.

There are a large number of underwater inhabitants that representatives of the largest freshwater species of sturgeon feed on - and the beluga feeds on those who are smaller. These are small fish species, smaller relatives, mollusks, crustaceans, and even waterfowl. Cases have been recorded when the remains of baby seals were found in the stomach of captured individuals. The fry eat insect larvae and zooplankton.

Habitat

Previously, the range was wider. It was possible to meet this kind of sturgeon in the Adriatic Sea. Over the past 30 years, not a single individual has been found in this salty reservoir, so the population is considered destroyed.

Now this species can be found in the Azov, Black and Caspian Seas. Previously, these seas were also inhabited by a large number of individuals, now the population from the Black Sea is on the verge of extinction, because. too few.

During the breeding season, fish move to fresh rivers, from where they then return to the seas to live in salt water for 1–2 years.

Life span

How long this representative of the underwater fauna lives depends on external conditions. If the habitat is favorable, life expectancy can be up to 100 years.

reproduction

Belugas go to rivers to spawn. Features of migration depend on the variety - on how the fish looks and where it lives. The Azov Beluga moves to the Don. A smaller number of individuals rush to the Kuban. The Black Sea swims in the Danube, Dnieper, Dniester. Rare specimens rise along the Southern Bug. The Caspian beluga swims for breeding in the Volga, a smaller number of representatives of the species rises upstream of the Urals, Terek, Kura. It often rises for spawning in August, after which it remains in fresh water for a year, breeding only in May.

Reaches puberty late. Males become capable of breeding from 13-18 years old, females - from 16-27. The Azov variety ripens faster than others.

Fertility depends on the size of the individual. One female is capable of sweeping from 500,000 to 1,000,000 eggs at a time. The largest representatives of the species can throw up to 5,000,000 eggs. There is about the fertility of the beluga interesting fact: populations living in different areas throw a different number of eggs. It is believed that the Volga females throw about 50% more at a time than those breeding in the Kura.

After spawning, adult fish go to sea, where they live until the next breeding. Beluga spawning happens every 2-4 years; during life they multiply up to 8-9 times.

Caviar is sticky, bottom, pearl gray. Large in diameter, can reach 5 mm. Often it becomes the prey of other river predators, the survival rate is low. Belugas quickly leave the place of birth, slide downstream into the sea. Some individuals can remain in fresh water for up to 5-6 years.

There have been cases of crossing beluga with sterlet, sturgeon, spike, stellate sturgeon in natural conditions.

The benefits of beluga meat

This fish has tougher meat than other members of the sturgeon family. Less fat content. For this reason, the product can be used in a dietary diet. The protein it contains is easily digestible human body. It contains vitamins A, D, PP, E, C, iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, molybdenum, potassium, fluorine, sodium. The composition of the pulp also includes omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, including essential ones. Milk is also used for food: you can eat it fresh or in the form of pate.

Beluga tender black caviar is also useful. This expensive product contains a large amount of useful substances. Considered a delicacy.

Beluga meat should not be eaten in case of inflammatory diseases, allergic reactions, kidney diseases, diabetes, gastritis, edema. In these cases, it can harm the body.

Artificial breeding of beluga

Due to excessive population decline, the status of the species has changed to "endangered". Beluga has long been listed in the Red Book in order to protect it from poachers. Because of this, fishing was severely limited, in some countries it is forbidden to catch these underwater inhabitants. To restore the population of the species, other methods are also used: people breed beluga in artificially created conditions.

With the help of artificial insemination on the Don and Volga, a hybrid capable of producing offspring was bred. To obtain it, beluga were crossed with sterlet. The resulting individuals were relocated to the Sea of ​​Azov. In addition, they inhabited several reservoirs.

Artificial breeding of the breed is also carried out in some aquaculture farms.

Beluga - largest fish of the sturgeon family, living in the Caspian, Black and Azov seas and entering nearby rivers for spawning. Under favorable conditions, she can live for more than 100 years and at the same time, unlike her Pacific relatives, she does not die after spawning. Accordingly, it has been growing all this time, and I think it will be interesting for everyone to find out what size the largest beluga in the world reached.

The largest beluga is necessarily a female, since males are almost twice as small. The fish reaches puberty from the age of 16, but more often after 20. Black caviar makes up about 20% of the total body and contains from 500 thousand eggs (in the largest - 5-7 million). And spawning does not occur simultaneously, but over 3 spring months. Therefore, for caviar hunters, the beluga is always desirable - for which it paid.

Now this fish is listed in the Red Book because of its value - black caviar, the main delicacy. You will not find it on the official sale, but on the black market in Russia, a kilogram of caviar costs from $600, and abroad - from $7,000.

Even under the most favorable conditions, 90% of eggs do not grow into adults. Plus, people in the last century “took care” that in some rivers the beluga disappeared completely (for example, before the construction of dams on the Dnieper, it rose to Zaporozhye and some specimens were caught even near Kiev) and now the situation is everywhere more than deplorable. But the beluga has always been an indicator of the health of the ecosystem.

Poachers and hydroelectric power plants prevent the fish from growing and the largest individual caught in the last 50 years was a fish weighing 800 kg in 1970 and 960 kg in 1989. A effigy of the last length of 4.2 m and an age of about 70 years is now kept in the Astrakhan Museum. The fish was caught by poachers, the eggs were gutted, and an anonymous call was made to inform them of a trophy that needed a truck to transport. To date, the largest beluga in the world and you can find a video about it on YouTube, where they show a specimen weighing about 500 kg.

The book "Research on Fisheries in Russia" reports that the largest beluga caught in the Volga was about 9 meters long and weighed 90 pounds (1440 kg). Such an individual claims to be the largest freshwater fish on Earth, it is a pity that the photo of the largest beluga was not preserved to confirm the record, as it happened in 1827.

In 1922 and 1924, identical fish were caught near the mouth of the Volga and in the Caspian - 75 pounds (1224 kg) each, where the body weighed about 700 kg, the head weighed 300 kg, and the rest was caviar. The National Museum of Kazan keeps a 4-meter effigy of a fish caught in the lower reaches of the Volga. Her age is 60-70 years.

It should be remembered that the largest beluga in the world is the one that was caught and officially recorded. But the fishermen met specimens for which they did not have enough gear or strength, and they safely died in their midst, giving rise to numerous legends about river monsters. Which, by the way, have every reason, because in the stomachs of the caught Caspian predators, seal cubs have been found more than once (the length is from a meter) ..

Beluga (lat. Huso huso) is a species of ray-finned fish of the sturgeon order, the sturgeon family, the genus Beluga.

Beluga is the oldest fish on the planet, which appeared on earth over 200 million years ago. The only closest relative of the beluga is kaluga, an inhabitant of the river basin of the Far East region.

What does a beluga look like?

Beluga is considered the largest of all freshwater fish. The body of an adult individual reaches a length of 4.2 m, and the weight is about 1.5 tons, with females slightly larger than males.

The thick body of a cylindrical beluga is covered with five rows of bone formations - shields, and narrows noticeably towards the tail. The bony plates covering the head, sides and belly are poorly developed. More durable shields, in the amount of 13 pieces, are located on the back and perform a protective function.

Like all ray-finned fish, beluga fins are distinguished by the presence of long and sharp, serrated rays: the dorsal contains at least 60 rays, the anal from 20 to 40.

The elongated head ends in an upturned, pointed nose, which is slightly translucent due to the absence of bony shields. The mouth of the beluga is quite wide, but does not go beyond the sides of the head, a fleshy upper lip hangs over it. The antennae, located on the sides of the lower jaw, are wider and also longer than those of most sturgeons and perform an olfactory function.

The back of the beluga is distinguished by a greenish or ash-gray color, the belly is white or light gray, and the nose has a characteristic yellowness.

Where does the beluga live

Belugas are migratory fish, and spend most of their lives in the waters of the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas, and migrate to the rivers only during the breeding season, and at the end of spawning they go back to the sea.

By nature, the beluga is a loner. Adults and mature individuals live at great depths, juveniles prefer shallow water, not far from the mouth of the river.

In summer, after spawning, the fish rests at an average depth, and then fattens before hibernation. Before the onset of cold weather, the body of the beluga is covered with a "fur coat" of a thick layer of mucus, and the fish falls into a state of suspended animation until the very spring.

What does a beluga eat.

Large fish need a lot of food, and the size of individual individuals directly depends on the diet: the better the fish eats, the larger it reaches. The main food of the beluga is different kinds fish, and the beluga begins to prey at a very young age, being a fry.

Adults hunt successfully seabed, as well as in the water column. The favorite food of the beluga is gobies, herring, sprats, sprats, anchovies, roach, anchovies, as well as representatives of a large carp family. A certain part of the diet is made up of crustaceans and molluscs, and even medium-sized animals, for example, Caspian seal cubs or waterfowl.

Beluga jumps out of the water.

Beluga breeding

Belugas are long-livers of the animal world, some specimens live up to 100 years, so they reach reproductive age late. Males are ready to breed at the age of 13-18 years, females mature by 16-27 years.

Spawning occurs at different times of the year and, depending on this, the beluga of the spring and autumn course are distinguished.

The spring beluga enters the rivers from the end of January almost until the very summer. The autumn beluga begins running at the end of summer and ends in December, therefore it is forced to spend the winter at the bottom of the river in deep holes, and starts breeding only next spring.

Each mature individual does not breed every year, but at a certain interval, usually 2-4 years. The spawning grounds of the beluga go through deep rocky ridges, in the middle of a fast current.

The fertility of the female depends on her size, but in any case, the amount of spawned eggs is 1/5 of her own body. The average amount of caviar is from 500 thousand to a million.

Dark gray eggs, 3 mm in diameter, look like peas. Due to the increased stickiness, caviar perfectly sticks to cold underwater stones. At a water temperature of + 12-13 degrees, the incubation period is only 8 days.

The fry that were born immediately pass to higher nutrition, bypassing the diet, consisting of the simplest organisms. Without stopping, the juveniles go to the seas, where they live until the onset of puberty.