Kaluga
A massive semi-anadromous sturgeon from the Amur River basin hunted for caviar.
The kaluga is a large predatory fish in the sturgeon family found in East Asia. It has been heavily impacted by poaching for its valuable roe and is now listed as endangered.
- Reaches 5.6 m length and 1,000 kg weight
- Hunted for valuable caviar roe
- Semi-anadromous in Amur River basin
- Spawns in gravel beds every 4-5 years
- Population declined over 90% in 90 years
What it is
The kaluga is one of the largest members of the sturgeon family. It can reach lengths of 5.6 metres and weigh over 1,000 kilograms. The fish has an elongated body with five distinct rows of bony plates called scutes. Its head is triangular with a short, pointed snout and small eyes. The mouth is extremely large and crescent-shaped, located on the underside of the head. Adults have grey-green to black backs and a yellowish-white belly. Unlike some relatives, it possesses nail-like teeth for gripping prey.
Where it lives
This species lives in the Amur River basin, which forms part of the border between Russia and China. It is also found near Hokkaido in Japan. The fish is semi-anadromous, meaning it spends parts of its life in both fresh and salt water. Young fish prefer clear, illuminated areas with white bottoms to avoid predators. Adults migrate between upstream and downstream areas, often moving through strong currents during their early development.
How it lives
Adult kalugas are aggressive predators with enormous appetites. They feed on salmon, pike, carp, herring, and various shellfish that fit into their mouths. They can live up to 55 years. Despite being hunted for food, they are known for their strength and have been reported to capsize fishing boats. There is no concrete evidence that they actively hunt humans, but their size and power make them dangerous in close encounters.
Breeding and life cycle
Kalugas spawn in the lower reaches of the Amur River on gravel or sandy-gravel bottoms. Spawning occurs between May and July when water temperatures range from 12 to 20 degrees Celsius. Females breed every four to five years, while males breed every three to four years. Eggs hatch in eight to nine days after being laid in shallow gravel beds. Young fish rely on yolk sacs initially before hunting tiny zooplankton and insects.
Fish and people
The kaluga is hunted primarily for its roe, which is used to produce caviar. This demand has led to severe overfishing and illegal poaching. In Russia, illegal fishing is a felony. Historically, catches were high, but populations have declined drastically. The fish is also kept in aquariums and museums. Hybridization with the Amur sturgeon in aquaculture has introduced non-native genetics into wild populations.
Status and threats
The species is classified as vulnerable due to a population decline of over 90 percent in ninety years. Poaching for caviar is the main threat, exacerbated by late sexual maturity which takes up to twenty-five years. River pollution near spawning grounds causes deformities in eggs. International trade is regulated under CITES Appendix II. National laws in Russia and other countries prohibit commercial fishing to help recovery efforts.
Questions people ask about Kaluga
What does the kaluga eat?
Adult kalugas are predators that eat salmon, pike, carp, herring, and shellfish. They use their large mouths and nail-like teeth to capture prey that fits inside.
Why is the kaluga endangered?
It is endangered mainly due to overfishing for its roe used in caviar. Late sexual maturity and river pollution near spawning grounds also contribute to the decline.
Where does the kaluga live?
It lives in the Amur River basin in Russia and China, and near Hokkaido in Japan. It is semi-anadromous, living in both fresh and salt water.
How big can a kaluga get?
It is one of the largest sturgeons, reaching at least 5.6 metres in length and weighing over 1,000 kilograms.
Good reading and sources
- Kaluga (fish) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Kaluga (fish)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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