Oceans, seas, rivers and lakes, even shallow ponds - the entire hydrosphere of the Earth is an amazing world, mostly hidden from prying eyes. The bottom of many reservoirs is practically not studied, but we cannot deny that complete freedom and weightlessness reign there. Endless expanses, coral reefs, underwater waterfalls, smart dolphins, deadly jellyfish, luminescent microorganisms - the wonders that are fraught with the oceans.
Not only large seas, but also rivers with lakes also amaze with the grandeur and diversity of flora and fauna. There is everything your heart desires here: both small minnows, which can easily fit in a child’s small hand, and real giants, which even several men find it difficult to lift. Such fish are able to give odds to sharks.
This article will describe the real masters of the water element: TOP 10 mostlargest freshwater fish of the world. Interesting? Then read on!
Beluga
What is the biggest freshwater fish? Its name is Beluga. This is a representative of the sturgeon family, one of the most amazing on the planet. Archaeological studies have shown that beluga appeared about 190 million years ago and lived on Earth along with dinosaurs and crocodiles. Beluga rightfully can claim the title of "The world's largest freshwater fish". This is incredible, but the length of the largest of all the individuals caught was as much as 7.4 meters, and the weight reached one and a half tons! For comparison, a polar bear weighs about 850 kg.
This world's largest freshwater fish is found in the Azov, Caspian and Black Seas, it spawns in many large rivers about once every 3 years. The female spawns in April-May, laying from 300 thousand to 7 million eggs.
Beluga caviar is black and is considered the most valuable of all sturgeons. For this reason, huge fish become a desirable prey for poachers. Their mass catch is prohibited by the state. Unfortunately, in recent years, the number of the species has declined markedly. This world's largest freshwater fish is listed as Critically Endangered by the IWC.
Today, beluga is artificially bred not only in the Russian Federation, but also in other countries. Perhaps such a measure will help increase the number of the species and the beluga will not disappear in the coming years.
The world's largest freshwater fish lives inan average of 100 years, puberty in males occurs at 12-14 years, and in females - at 16-18. Beluga is a predator. It feeds mainly on small fish and mollusks, especially large specimens do not disdain even seals. It usually lives at very great depths in water bodies with strong currents. Despite the fact that the beluga is an independent species, it can hybridize with stellate sturgeon, sterlet, spike, sturgeon. As a result of this practice, viable hybrids were obtained, in particular, the sturgeon sturgeon (Bester). Sturgeon hybrids are successfully grown in pond farms.
Now you know what is the world's largest freshwater fish. There is a photo of the beluga in the article.
Kaluga
Freshwater fish from the sturgeon family. Lives in the Amur River. The population has declined significantly due to unrestricted Chinese fishing. Sometimes the fish reaches 5 meters and weighs 1200 kilograms. Kaluga is a predator; in the absence of food, it practices cannibalism. The Red Book of Russia claims that only a few thousand mature individuals exist in nature. On the territory of the Russian Federation, industrial fishing has been prohibited since 1958. It is legalized in China.
White sturgeon
This is the largest freshwater fish in North America. Together with beluga and kaluga, it represents the sturgeon family, striking in its huge size. The huge fish has an elongated slender body, no scales.
The largest specimen weighedabout 800 kilograms and had a length of more than 6 meters. It lives in fresh waters of the USA and Canada. Prefers large and medium-sized rivers with a weak current.
Bull shark, or blunt shark
This is the largest freshwater fish in South America, Africa and Australia. The life of an individual lasts approximately 30 years.
It is an extremely aggressive predator. One of the few shark species that is comfortable in both s alt and fresh water. The length of this fish is 3.5 m, weight - 450 kg. The bull shark lives in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Australian Brisbane River is inhabited by a whole population of about 500 individuals. The female bears the cub for 10-11 months, after which she leaves him forever.
This species, along with the tiger, white and long-winged sharks, is the leader in the number of attacks on people. There are 26 deaths so far.
Giant Mekong catfish and common catfish
These two species shared 5th place. The giant Mekong catfish is home to the rivers and lakes of Thailand. It is the largest species among its relatives, and for this reason it is often considered and studied separately from the rest. The body length of the fish reaches 4.5-5.0 meters, weight - up to 300 kg. Fish and small animals are the giant catfish's favorite treat.
Common catfish has a body length of up to 5 meters, weighs up to 350 kg. Inhabits water bodies of the European part of Russia, as well as Eastern and Central Europe.
Nile Perch
Commonthroughout tropical Africa. The maximum length of one individual is 200 cm, weight - 200 kg. It is a predator, feeds on fish and crustaceans. He bears his fry in the oral cavity. This helps them survive and increases the population.
Arapaima
Considered an Amazon river monster. It was first noticed by European scientists in the early 19th century. However, they still have not been able to study all the features of this fish.
Arapaima is able to use atmospheric air as the main source of oxygen. This feature allows her to be a universal predator and hunt not only fish, but also other animals, including birds. Arapaima grow up to 3 meters in length, their weight is 150-190 kg.
Indian carp
Inhabits the waters of India and Thailand. Prefers still, still water. On average, it grows up to 180 cm and weighs 150 kg. Eats small fish, small crustaceans and worms. Distributed almost throughout Europe, found in Asia. Its weight usually does not exceed 30 kg, the largest recorded carp weighed 70 kg.
Paddlefish
Inhabits the waters of the eastern United States. In length grows up to 180-220 cm, weight reaches 90 kg. In the seventies of the last century, it was brought to the territory of the USSR. Since then, it has been bred in the Crimea.
Common taimen
The largest and oldest fish from the salmon family. Distributed in the eastern part of Russia and Siberia. Likes cold andfast-moving rivers. Taimen is a large representative of the salmon family, reaches 1.5-2.0 m in length and weighs more than 60 kg. It is a dangerous predator. Feeds on fish.
The largest freshwater fish in Russia
The list of the largest species that are found in freshwater bodies of our country looks like this:
- Beluga.
- Kaluga.
- Common catfish.
- Taimen.
- Carp.
All of the above fish have been featured in this article.
