Russian sturgeon

Russian Sturgeon

The Russian Sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii), also known as the Diamond Sturgeon or Danube Sturgeon, is a species of fish in the Acipenseridae family. It is native to the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and Azov Sea basins.

Description

The Russian Sturgeon is a large fish, with adults typically reaching lengths of 2.1 to 2.3 meters and weights of 80 to 210 kilograms. They have a lifespan of up to 60 years. The body of the Russian Sturgeon is elongated and streamlined, with a pointed snout and five rows of bony plates known as scutes.

Habitat and Distribution

The Russian Sturgeon is a anadromous species, meaning it migrates from the sea up into freshwater rivers to spawn. It is found in the basins of the Black Sea, Caspian Sea, and Azov Sea. The major spawning rivers for the Russian Sturgeon are the Volga, Don, and Ural rivers.

Diet

The diet of the Russian Sturgeon consists mainly of benthic organisms such as mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. They are bottom feeders, using their sensitive barbels to locate food in the sediment.

Reproduction

The Russian Sturgeon reaches sexual maturity at around 15 years of age for males and 20 years for females. Spawning occurs in the spring and early summer, with females laying up to 1.5 million eggs. The eggs are then fertilized by the males and deposited on the river bottom.

Conservation Status

The Russian Sturgeon is currently listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. The main threat to the species is the harvesting of its eggs for caviar, which is considered a delicacy.

See Also

• Sturgeon
• Caviar
• Conservation status

References

• IUCN Red List
• FishBase
• Encyclopedia of Life

External Links

• IUCN Red List - Russian Sturgeon
• FishBase - Russian Sturgeon