Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) fish species and information / pictures of Danube sturgeon - Acipenser gueldenstaedtii

Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) fish species information

Scientific Name
Acipenser gueldenstaedtii

Common Name
Danube sturgeon

Biology
Anadromous and freshwater populations exist. At the sea, it occurs in shallow coastal and estuarine zones. In freshwaters, it inhabits deep parts of large rivers with moderate to swift current (Ref. 59043). Found mainly near the shore over sand and mud. Usually solitary, but swarms when hibernating or during spawning migrations. Occasionally forms schools (Ref. 3241). Feeds on benthic molluscs, crustaceans and small fishes. Spawns on stone or gravel bottom in large and deep rivers with strong current, 1-1.5 m/s (Ref. 59043). Mainly propagated through artificial reproduction.

Classification

Classified By

Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Sturgeons and Paddlefishes (Acipenseriformes)

Family

Sturgeons (Acipenseridae)

Distribution

Region

Eurasia

Distribution

Eurasia: Black Sea, Sea of Azov and Caspian Sea, entering all main rivers that empty into them (Don, Kuban, Danube, Dnieper (rare), Dniester) (Ref. 9953). Introduced throughout Europe. Considered critically endangered (Ref. 59043). International trade restricted (CITES II, since 1.4.98; CMS Appendix II).

Range

61°N - 35°N, 26°E - 54°E

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

10 °C

Water Temperature To

20 °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 1 - ? m

Trophic Level

3.11 s.e. 0.30 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

236 cm

Common Length

145 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (87 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (tm=11; Fec = 26,000)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Critically Endangered (CR) (A2bcde)