How big is a beluga sturgeon

A.� Rekstout was wondering whether tales of 5 metres length and a tonne in weight were just anglers over exaggerating or if there was any substance to such claims. MistyLady did some web searching to see what could be found but was rather overwhelmed by the results.

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Here, The AnswerBank gets to the bottom of the yarns.

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Beluga sturgeon, which can live for up to a 100 years, can grow up to 15 feet long, almost five metres, and weigh in at 2,500 pounds, which does come in at just over a tonne. So, the tales that Rekstout has heard are well founded, even if he can't find any pictures of these whoppers.

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Q.� What do sturgeons eat to get so big

A.� Beluga sturgeons, unlike these gigantic dinosaurs that were vegetarians, are carnivores. They eat other fish, like salmon and carp.

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Q.� Do sturgeon get eaten by anything

A.� In a manner of speaking, yes: beluga sturgeons are prized for their eggs, known as caviar. They can produce up to 300 lbs, or 130 kg, of the stuff.

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The word caviar comes from the Turkish word 'havyar', which means salted fish roe.

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Q.� If there eggs are an expensive delicacy are they endangered

A.� Very much so. The number of beluga sturgeons in the wild has decreased dramatically over the last 20 years, falling by 90 percent. Experts believe beluga sturgeons are so depleted that they may no longer be reproducing in the wild.

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Maybe this is why Rekstout is having such problems finding a picture of the largest individuals.

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Q.� Where do sturgeon live

A.� They inhabit the coastal waters, rivers and lakes of the Northern Hemisphere.

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Q.� How long have humans been eating caviar

A.� Commercial fishermen have hunted sturgeon for their roe and meat since at least 1100 BC. Ancient Greek and Roman literature refers to caviar, and the Chinese were trading it as early as the 10th century AD.

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The fish themselves have been around for a lot longer; they were swimming in the sea when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

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by Lisa Cardy