(Acipenseridae)

There are several types of sturgeon or caviar fish, including:

1. Beluga Sturgeon or Huso Huso
2. Persian Sturgeon or Acipenser Persicus
3. Russian Sturgeon or Acipenser GueldenStaedtii
4. Sterlet Sturgeon or Acipenser Nudiventris
5. Three species of “Persian Sturgeon,” “Russian Sturgeon,” and “Sterlet Sturgeon” are known as Asetra or Ossetra caviar.
6. Sevruga Sturgeon or Acipenser Stellatus
7. Siberian Sturgeon or Acipenser Baerii
8. Austrian or Sterlet Sturgeon or Acipenser ruthenus
9. Amur Sturgeon or Acipenser Schrenckii
10. Kaluga Sturgeon or Huso Dauric.

1. The Beluga sturgeon, or Huso Huso:

is one of the types of sturgeon fish and is the largest fish in the inland waters of Iran. It has been ranked first in terms of caviar quality. It spawns every 2 to 3 years and reaches maturity between 10 to 12 years old for farmed specimens, and between 14 to 17 years old for wild ones. Due to its high-quality caviar, the Beluga sturgeon is considered the most expensive fish and caviar in the world. It can grow to a length of 1.5 to over 4 meters.

• Beluga or Iranian sturgeon (Astra) or Acipenser Persicus:

Beluga or sturgeon is one of the types of caviar or sturgeon fish in the Caspian Sea, which is currently considered an independent species, but was previously known as a subspecies of the Russian sturgeon. Beluga means “black-nosed” in Turkish, and its caviar, known as Astra, is second in value. Currently, due to artificial breeding, it has surpassed the Russian species in terms of diversity and is larger in size, with superior caviar quality. They are somewhat similar in appearance, although its darker color, accompanied by white pigment spots that extend to its nose, visually separates it from the Russian sturgeon. It can grow up to 1 to 2 meters in length and becomes mature between the ages of 12 to 14 years old.

• Astra Iranian Caviar

Beluga caviar has a greater color diversity in comparison to other types of caviar, with its range of colors ranging from dark gray to light gray, and in rare cases, even including a golden color. Astra Iranian caviar, or Beluga, is one of the most famous and popular types of caviar in the world and is the only type with a unique nutty flavor, making it very different and rare. The average production of caviar from this fish increases as it gets older, and its quantity varies depending on the seasons of the year, with an average of 4 to 5 kilos of caviar obtained from each Iranian sturgeon.

• Russian Sturgeon or Chalbash or Acipenser GueldenStaedtii:

It is among the species that are found throughout the Caspian Sea. Its caviar is also known as golden caviar and is of third-highest value. It reaches maturity at the age of 12 to 16 and can grow up to 1 to 2 meters in length. The average caviar yield from Russian sturgeon or Astra Chalbash is about 5 to 3 kilograms. Its caviar is also marketed under the name of Astra caviar.

• Osetra or Sevruga (Acipenser Stellatus):

Osetra, also known as Dracool, is the smallest sturgeon species that produces caviar in the Caspian Sea. In Iran, all caviar-producing fish are mistakenly referred to as Osetra. It ranks last in terms of quality because it produces smaller and cheaper caviar. Its caviar is known as Sevruga. It faces difficulties in artificial reproduction and its population is decreasing in natural conditions. Its name translates to “long-nosed” in English. It reaches maturity at the age of 8 to 12 years old, and has a body length of 1 to 1.5 meters and lighter weight compared to other sturgeon species in the Caspian Sea.

• Siberian (Baeri) or Acipenser Baerii:

The name of this fish, like the Ship, is derived from its Latin name. It takes about 4 years to produce various types of caviar, making it one of the smallest types of caviar. The caviar of this fish is seen in dark gray to black colors. This fish is native to the waters of northern Russia and is ideal for aquaculture environments due to the short time required to produce caviar.

• Austrian or Sterlet Sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus):

The name of this species is taken from its Latin name, similar to the Schip sturgeon. It takes about 4 years to produce various types of caviar, making it one of the smallest types of caviar. The caviar of this fish is seen in dark gray to black colors. This fish is native to the waters of northern Russia and is ideal for breeding environments due to the short time required to produce caviar.

• Amur Sterlet or Acipenser schrenckii:

The original name of this fish is Schrenki, which is the last type of sturgeons. This fish is specific to China and requires 6 to 7 years to produce caviar. The hybrid species Dauricus Schrenckii is created by combining this fish with the Kaluga fish.

• Kaluga or Huso dauricus:

This fish is another type of Huso family, which looks similar to Beluga but resembles Astras in appearance. It is found in the Amur River in China, and as mentioned, hybrids have also been produced from it.