Baikal sturgeon (Acipenser baerii baicalensis)

Scientific name: Acipenser baerii baicalensis Nikolskii, 1896

The Baikal sturgeon (Acipenser baerii baicalensis) is a freshwater fish of the family Acipenseridae. Native range: Asia, Mongolia. Former USSR: Lake Baikal, Russia. International trade restricted (CITES Appendix II, since 1.4.1998; CMS Appendix II).

Biology

Adults feed on chironomid larvae, oligochaetes and larvae of caddis flies. Baikal sturgeon largely inhabit the areas of Lake Baikal's major tributaries: the delta zone of the Selenga River, Proval Bay, Chivyrkuy and Barguzin Bays. The sturgeons migrate widely throughout the whole lake alongside the coastal line, swimming into bays and coves. In former times, the sturgeons caught used to weigh about 125 kg, yet, they grow slowly and mature late. Length above is assumed, needs to be replaced (RF).

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Acipenser baerii baicalensis
Family
Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)
Order
Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons and Paddlefishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
120
Environment
Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous
Climate
Boreal
Distribution
Asia: Mongolia. Former USSR: Lake Baikal, Russia. International trade restricted (CITES Appendix II, since 1.4.1998; CMS Appendix II).
Threat to humans
Harmless
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (tm=15-20)

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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