Kaluga - the largest freshwater fish in the world

This taxidermied kaluga, or Huso dauricus, was one of the first specimens acquired by the founder of the Darwin museum, Alexander Kohts. It has been part of the Museum’s collection for more than 100 years.

Kaluga is a freshwater sturgeon, related to the Beluga, and is found in the Amur River basin. It is thought the kaluga may be the largest freshwater fish in the world, with larger individuals weighing as much as 1000 kilos.

The species is listed as vulnerable in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation and IUCN Red List. Since 1958, a ban on fishing Kaluga in Russian waters has been in place, but fishing under strict governmental control resumed in 1991, and in 2000 it was completely prohibited again.

Recently, a Darwin museum taxidermist, Oksana Mbita-Ebele, conducted a rigorous restoration of the taxidermy mount.

Keeper A. Alyakrinsky, The 3D scanning was performed by A. Akhtamzyan.