Habitat

Huso huso is one of the great sturgeon species found in the Northern Hemisphere. More specifically, this primitive fish species is native to the Danube basin of the Black Sea and the Ural basin of the Caspian Sea. Sightings and captures of Huso huso have been reported in the Adriatic and Azov Seas though they are few. Stocked beluga sturgeon can be found in the Volga River as a result of population rehabilitation efforts. (Kottelat, 2011)

The beluga sturgeon spends the majority of its lifecycle in saltwater seas but makes its way up river during spawning seasons, making Huso huso an anadromous species. (Dadswell, 1987) Huso huso spawns in the main, center portion of large, deep rivers with a gravel, pebble, or stone bottom. (Hudson, 2003) To learn more about the reproduction habits of the beluga sturgeon, go the reproduction page!

Within the Caspian and Black Seas, the beluga sturgeon is found in the pelagic, or open water, zone. Huso huso tends to stay in this zone in order to follow its many prey sources. (Kottelat, 2011) The sturgeon are found swimming throughout the entire water column though there is generally more sturgeon swimming closer to the substrate. The fish stay at these lower levels to follow their numerous prey sources. (Hudson, 2003) To learn more about the prey sources and nutrition of Huso huso, explore the Nutrition page.

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