The Czar Fish: Who Bears This Title in Myths, Literature, and on the Royal Table

The question of which fish deserves to be called the "czar fish" does not have a single answer. This title is not a scientific term but rather a poetic one, which has been bestowed upon different fish in different times and cultures. In Russian tradition, the answer is often one — the sturgeon. However, if we dig deeper, we will find that the title is also claimed by the beluga, the taimen, and even the pike and tuna. Each of these fish has earned the royal name in its own way.

Sturgeon — the Main Candidate in Russian Tradition

In Russia, the sturgeon has long been known as the "czar fish"[reference:0][reference:1]. This title dates back to ancient times: a phrase from the XII-century chronicles reads: "The eagle is the king among birds, the sturgeon is the king among fish, and the lion is the king among beasts"[reference:2][reference:3]. The sturgeon was valued for its size, tender and delicious meat, and the black caviar, which was always a delicacy for the nobility[reference:4].

It was the sturgeon that became the main symbol of Viktor Astafyev's famous novella "The Czar Fish"[reference:5][reference:6]. In this work, the giant sturgeon embodies the very nature — its grandeur, strength, and power, before which man is helpless[reference:7][reference:8]. It is not just a fish, but a mythological symbol-image that passes judgment on sinners and reminds man of his place in the world[reference:9][reference:10]. In the novella, the poacher Ignatych enters into a deadly struggle with the huge sturgeon, and this battle becomes a test of his conscience and a moral lesson[reference:11][reference:12].

In memory of Astafyev's work, a wrought-iron monument "The Czar Fish" was installed in Krasnoyarsk in 2004, depicting the sturgeon[reference:13].

Beluga — the Largest of the Sturgeons

If the sturgeon is the king among sturgeons, then the beluga is the queen among them. This fish of the sturgeon family reaches truly monstrous sizes: according to some data, the beluga can grow up to 9 meters in length and weigh up to two tons[reference:14][reference:15]. It is the beluga that many consider the true "czar fish" for its gigantic size and delicacy[reference:16][reference:17]. Unfortunately, due to excessive fishing, the beluga is on the brink of extinction and is listed in the Red Book[reference:18].

Taimen — the Siberian Czar among Salmonids

In Siberia, the taimen — a large fish from the salmon family — is often called the "czar fish". Some connoisseurs of Russian gastronomy even preferred the taimen, calling the sturgeon "the river piglet" and the taimen "the river lion"[reference:19][reference:20]. The taimen indeed impresses with its size and strength, and in some regions it is rightly hailed as the king.

Other Candidates for the Royal Title

In different cultures and different eras, the title of "czar fish" has been bestowed upon other fish. In some culinary traditions, this title is given to tuna — one of the largest and most valuable commercial fish[reference:22]. In pre-revolutionary Russia, pike, known for its tender, dietetic, and almost boneless meat, was supplied to the royal table and called the "royal fish"[reference:23]. In some countries, trout is called the "royal fish"[reference:24], and shemaya, in Persian, literally means "royal fish"[reference:25].

Two Different "Kings": "Czar Fish" and "Royal Fish"

It is important to distinguish between two concepts: "czar fish" refers to a fish that is considered the main, most honored among all fish (like the sturgeon). "Royal fish," on the other hand, refers to a fish that is served at the royal table for its outstanding culinary qualities[reference:26]. In the latter case, we are talking about delicacies worthy of a monarch, and the list can be much broader.

Conclusion

So, which fish is the true "czar fish"? The answer depends on the context in which we ask the question. In Russian literary and folkloric tradition, it is the sturgeon, praised in ancient chronicles and becoming a symbol of the grandeur of nature in Astafyev's novella. If we speak of the largest and most imposing fish, it is the beluga. In Siberia, the taimen takes the lead. Each of these fish has every right to bear the proud name of "czar fish" — and each deserves this title in its own way.

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