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Taimen (Hucho taimen) — Salmonidae

Taimen

Hucho taimen
Family: Salmonidae
VU · Vulnerable

The Taimen (Hucho taimen) is a brackish-water fish of the family Salmonidae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Brackish
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The taimen is the largest salmonid (Salmonidae) in the world, from cold rivers and lakes of Siberia, Mongolia and adjacent East Asia. The species can grow to about 2 metres and has an elongate, torpedo-shaped, olive-green to copper-red body with numerous small dark spots and a large mouth full of sharp teeth. As a top predator it hunts fish, rodents and waterfowl. Through overfishing the species is vulnerable. It poses no danger to swimmers.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Taimen?

The Taimen has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Taimen live?

The Taimen lives in brackish water and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Asia: China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia

How big does the Taimen get?

The Taimen grows to a maximum of about 200 cm.

Is the Taimen dangerous to humans?

No, the Taimen is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Taimen edible?

Yes, the Taimen is commonly eaten.

More photos

Taimen (Hucho taimen) — Salmonidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Павел Голяков, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Taimen (Hucho taimen) — Salmonidae — 3
Leonid (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Taimen (Hucho taimen) — Salmonidae — 4
Софья Комровская (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Taimen (Hucho taimen) — Salmonidae — 5
Elizaveta Sandalova (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Taimen sourced
Scientific name
Hucho taimen
Family
Salmonidae
Other names
Taimen; Danube salmon verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
55.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hucho

More from the family Salmonidae

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