Beluga  (Huso huso)

The beluga is the largest sturgeon in the world and the largest European freshwater fish; it can reach up to 5 metres in length (2). This ancient fish has an elongated body shape and a flattened, slightly upturned snout (3), with the mouth located underneath (4). There are five rows of bony plates (or 'scutes') that run the length of the body, one along the back, one on each flank and two on the undersurface (3). The short, fleshy barbels in front of the mouth are feathered at the ends (2). The body is predominantly dark grey or greenish whilst the belly tends to be white (3).