Hucho taimen, also known as the Siberian taimen, is the largest species of salmon in the world, inhabiting cold rivers and lakes across Siberia and Mongolia. Known for its impressive size, it can grow up to six feet long, showcasing a silvery body with a slight pink hue and dark spots. Taimen are apex predators, feeding on fish, small mammals, and even birds. Their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem, as they require clean, unpolluted water for survival.

Hucho taimen, commonly known as the taimen or Siberian taimen, is native to the freshwater ecosystems of northern Asia. Its geographical distribution primarily spans across the Siberian region of Russia, Mongolia, and parts of China. Key river systems include the Yenisei, Lena, and Amur rivers, as well as their tributaries.

Hucho taimen typically inhabits cold, clear river systems and large lakes. These environments are characterized by fast-flowing, well-oxygenated waters, often with rocky or gravelly substrates. The climate within its native range is generally harsh, with long, cold winters and short, warm summers.

As a top predator, the taimen plays a crucial ecological role within its habitat. It preys on a variety of fish species, invertebrates, and occasionally small mammals and birds. Taimen require large territories and are known for their migratory behavior, moving upstream to spawn in suitable gravel beds. They are dependent on a healthy, undisturbed aquatic ecosystem, making them sensitive to environmental changes and human activities such as dam construction and pollution.