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Nature

Beluga Sturgeon

What is beluga sturgeon?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Scientific name Huso huso[2]
Common name Beluga sturgeon[2]
Other name Great sturgeon[2]
Family Acipenseridae[2]
Order Acipenseriformes[2]
Type Anadromous fish[2]

Beluga sturgeon is a large anadromous fish species scientifically named *Huso huso*, found in the Caspian and Black Sea basins. It is known for its roe, which is used to make beluga caviar. This sturgeon species is often confused with the beluga whale and beluga caviar.

Context

Beluga sturgeon is an anadromous fish, spending adult life in the sea and reproducing up rivers [2]. It is commonly confused with the beluga whale and with beluga caviar, which is made from its roe [4]. The species is found in the Caspian and Black Sea basins [3].

Documented claims

  • Beluga sturgeon is a species of sturgeon. [2]
  • Beluga sturgeon is a large fish found in the Caspian and Black Sea basins. [3]
  • Beluga sturgeon actively eats other fishes. [3]
  • Beluga sturgeon is known for caviar. [5]

Related

Lake SturgeonLake sturgeon is another sturgeon species readers may want to compare.White SturgeonWhite sturgeon is another sturgeon species readers may want to compare.

Questions and answers

Are beluga sturgeon killed for caviar?

Yes, beluga sturgeon are harvested for their roe, which is used to make beluga caviar [5].

How rare are beluga sturgeon?

Beluga sturgeon are considered threatened, according to a final determination by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [1].

Why is beluga sturgeon caviar so expensive?

Beluga caviar is expensive because it comes from the rare beluga sturgeon, which is known for its high-quality roe [5].

Sources

  1. Final Determination of Threatned Status for the Beluga ... — fws.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Beluga Sturgeon — oceana.org (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. The Beluga Sturgeon — critter.science (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. What is Beluga Caviar? A Full Guide to ... — petruscocaviar.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  5. BELUGA Definition & Meaning — dictionary.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature