A ventr al tr ansver se mouth. Snout r elativelyelongated, semi-conical and sharp. Four unfringed cylindricalbarbels under the middle of snout which do notextend back to the mouth. Lower lip interrupted at itscenter. Five rows of scutes interspersed by smaller starryscutes. Gill membranes joined to the isthmus. Small spiraclespresent. Caudal peduncle semi-conical. Heterocercalcaudal fin. Posteriorly positioned pelvic fins. Anadromousand prefers warmer waters, staying near bottomwhen migrating. Maximum age 48 years, total length228 cm and weight 70 kg. Females larger than males.Maturity at 8-12 years. Spawning migration in spring(April-May) and fall (late September-early November),to most rivers. Eggs laid on gravel or stone beds andshortly return to seat after spawning, some remained fora few months. Absolute fecundity up to 840,000 eggs ofup to 3.8 mm in diameter. Food include molluscs, crustaceansand small fishes such as gobies and clupeids.