1- Huso Huso or Beluga
Beluga fish is the largest fish in the Caspian Sea, which has been caught weighing about 1,200 kg.
This fish enters rivers in Spring and autumn to spawn.
Males of this species of Sturgeon mature at the age of 17-18 years and females at the age of 16 to 18 years.
The average Caviar of beluga fish include 10 to 15% of the weidht.
Beluga Caviar is one of the most expensive foods in the world and has many fans among caviar lovers.
Beluga caviar has the largest seeds “eggs” among different types of caviar and has a very pleasant taste.
2-Acipenser Persicus or Iranian Ossetra
Among the five species of Ossetra in the Caspian Sea, three species known as Ossetra : Iranian Ossetra, Russian Ossetra and Persian Shipp Ossetra. The most abundant species of sturgeon in the southern basin of the Caspian Sea.
Currently, most of this fish is found in the southeast of the Caspian Sea and most of this fish spawns in spring.
Males of this species reach maturity at the age of 8-11 years and females at the age of 10-16 years
The average caviar production of this fish increases with age and its amount varies according to the seasons.
On average, about 4.5 kg of caviar is obtained from each Iranian Ossetra.
Qarabour caviar has more color variety than other species and its color range from dark gray to light and in rare cases, golden color.
Ossetra Caviar is one of the most famous and popular types of caviar in the world. The grain size of Ossetra Caviar is smaller than Beluga and larger than Sevruga.
3-Russian Ossetra or Acipenser Gueldenstaedtii
This species of Caspian sturgeon lives mainly in the northern parts of the sea and is highly dependent on the Volga and Ural rivers, but is also found in the southern regions.
In the northern Caspian Sea, young fish of this species live at a depth of 2 to 5 meters, but large fish in the southern waters of the Caspian Sea prefer a depth range of 2 to 130 meters.
This fish enters to spawn in the Volga, Ural and Kora rivers in the north and Sefidrood river in the south of the Caspian Sea.
Migrations of this fish for reproduction take place in Spring and autumn, and its spawning occurs at a temperature of 21 to 25 degrees Celsius.
The average Caviar of Russian Ossetra ( Chalbash ) is about 3.5 kg.
The caviar of this fish is also offered under the name of Ossetra caviar.
4-Shipp Ossetra or Acipenser Nudiventris
Shipp Ossetra (non as Naked belly Sturgeon) lives in the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. The distribution of this fish in the Caspian Sea is not equal . In the north of the Caspian Sea, the Shipp the Volga River for spawning, preferring the Ural River.
This fish lives at depths of 11 to 25 meters with a water temperature of 3 to 14 degrees. The resources of this sturgeon in the waters of the Caspian Sea have been reduced to a minimum and its caviar trade is prohibited.
In Iran, several million juveniles are artificially reproduced annually and released to strengthen the natural resources of the Caspian Sea.
The spawning time of this fish is in April and May and at a water temperature of about 10 degrees Celsius.
The males of this species reach maturity at the age of 9-12 and the females 11 to 16 years.
The average amount of caviar extracted from this fish is about 8.4 kg
5-Sevuga or Ozone Borun (Acipenser Stellatus)
Sevroga or Ozone Borun is the smallest species of Sturgeon in the Caspian Sea.
Sevruga has a unique appearance.It is called Ozone Borun which means long nose.
Sevruga caviar is smaller than other types in terms of grain size and has a very pleasant taste.
This fish is found in the Black Sea and Azov as well but its main habitat is the Caspian Sea and it is scattered in all coastal parts of this sea.
This fish enters the river in spring to spawn. The age of maturity of male fish is 7 to 13 years old and female 8 to 17 years old.
The average caviar output is about 3 kg.
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