Sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus)

Scientific name: Acipenser ruthenus Linnaeus, 1758

Sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus)

The Sterlet sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus) is a freshwater fish of the family Acipenseridae.

Biology

A fluvial fish which inhabits rivers and their tributaries. Occurs in large rivers, usually in the current and in deep water. Moves to flooded areas to feed. Chiefly potamodromous. Like other sturgeons, it aggregates in bottom holes in winter and exhibits little activity. In spring, when ice breaks, it rises from the bottom holes and moves upstream for spawning. Spawns in habitats with strong-current on gravel, rarely on gravel-sand bottom or in flooded sites. Juveniles stay in riverine habitats during their first summer. Classified as endangered species. Anadromous populations are now extirpated; local populations are still surviving in most parts of range.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Acipenser ruthenus
Family
Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)
Order
Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons and Paddlefishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
125
Common length
40.0
Depth range
1 m (3 ft)
Environment
Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous; depth range 1 - ? m
Climate
Temperate
Distribution
Eurasia: rivers draining to Black, Azov and Caspian Seas; Siberia from Ob eastward to Yenisei drainages. Introduced throughout Europe, without formation of self-sustaining populations. Appendix III of the Bern Convention (protected fauna). International trade restricted (CITES II, since 1.4.98; CMS Appendix II for Danube population).
Conservation status (IUCN)
Vulnerable (VU) (A2cde)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquaculture: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=5-9; tmax=25; K=0.12; Fec=11,000)

More other freshwater fish

See all other freshwater fish

Sources

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

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