Sturgeon (Beluga)

About the Sturgeon (Beluga)

Source of the most expensive food in the world - beluga caviar sells for $10,000+ per kg. They can live over 100 years and reach 7 meters, making them the largest freshwater fish. They are living fossils, virtually unchanged for 200 million years. They have no teeth and use their vacuum-like mouth to suck food from the bottom. They are critically endangered due to overfishing for caviar. International trade is restricted by CITES. They migrate between salt and fresh water. Females do not produce eggs until 15-20 years old. Their eggs are harvested by killing the fish. Farming is now the primary legal source of caviar.