Taimen

Taimen is the largest salmonid and one of Mongolia's best-known river animals. The national assessment lists it as endangered after major contraction and continuing pressure on mature fish. An adult is long, powerful and torpedo-shaped, with a broad flattened head, a large toothed mouth and dark spots over an olive to reddish-brown body.

Mongolian strongholds include the Shishged, Eg, Uur, Delger Moron, Ider, Selenge, Orkhon and Onon river systems. This apex river predator eats fish and may take other small vertebrates. Adults require long, connected, cool-water river reaches and migrate to spawning areas. The Eg-Uur, Onon and remote Shishged systems are renowned habitats; use conservation-minded catch-and-release operators and follow all permit rules.