Description
Coloration varies geographically, but is generally olive green on the head blending to reddish brown in the tail. Adipose, anal, and caudal fins are often dark red. The belly ranges from nearly white to dark gray. The taimen appears to be the largest salmonid in the world, being heavier at average and maximum sizes than the largest North American salmonid, the chinook salmon.[3][4][5] Most mature fish caught weigh from 15 to 30 kg (33 to 66 lb).[6] The average length is from 70 to 120 cm (28 to 47 in). The maximum length is about 150 to 180 cm (59 to 71 in). The maximum size is not assured, but supposedly a fish caught in the Kotui River in Russia in 1943 with a length of 210 cm (83 in) and a weight of 105 kg (231 lb) is the largest size recorded.[7] The IGFA world record is 45.80 kg (101.0 lb) with a length of 150.00 cm (59.06 in).[8] It can reach at least 55 years of age.
