Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)

Scientific name: Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt & Ratzeburg, 1833

The Danube sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) is a freshwater fish of the family Acipenseridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–20°C (50–68°F).

Danube sturgeon care at a glance

Temperature: 10–20°C (50–68°F)

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. Found mainly near the shore over sand and mud. Usually solitary, but swarms when hibernating or during spawning migrations. Occasionally forms schools. 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. Mainly propagated through artificial reproduction.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
Family: Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)
Order: Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons and Paddlefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 236
Common length: 145
Depth range: 1 m (3 ft)
Environment: Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous; depth range 1 - ? m
Climate: Temperate
Distribution: Eurasia: Black Sea, Sea of Azov and Caspian Sea, entering all main rivers that empty into them (Don, Kuban, Danube, Dnieper (rare), Dniester). Introduced throughout Europe. Considered critically endangered. International trade restricted (CITES II, since 1.4.98; CMS Appendix II).
Conservation status (IUCN): Critically Endangered (CR) (A2bcde)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (tm=11; Fec = 26,000)