Scientific Classification
Scientific Name: Acipenser sinensis
Kingdom: Animalia (Animal Kingdom)
Phylum: Chordata (Chordates)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Order: Acipenseriformes (Sturgeon Order)
Family: Acipenseridae (Sturgeon Family)
Conservation Status
The sturgeon is currently listed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, and it is also protected under Appendix II of CITES due to overfishing and habitat loss.
General Characteristics
Sturgeon are often mistaken as relatives of sharks, but they actually belong to a different group of fish. While sharks are cartilaginous fish, sturgeon are classified as ray-finned fish, having bony structures. Sturgeons are considered a national treasure in China and have been protected in many countries. In South Korea, for example, they were designated a protected species in 1996.
These fish are known for their elongated, scale-less bodies, typically ranging from 2 to 3.5 meters in length. Though they primarily inhabit freshwater environments, such as rivers and lakes, sturgeon can also be found along coastal areas. Their reproductive cycle is long, with females laying eggs only once every few years, which contributes to the species’ vulnerability. Despite their long lifespan and slow growth, the high demand for sturgeon roe, or caviar, has led to excessive fishing. This overharvesting has put five species of sturgeon in critical danger of extinction. Currently, there are about 25 known sturgeon species worldwide, with species like the Chinese sturgeon, kaluga, and sterlet being reported in East Asia.
Feeding Habits
Sturgeon feed mainly at the bottom of their aquatic habitats. They consume a diet of plankton, small fish, and other tiny organisms found near the substrate.
Habitat and Distribution
Sturgeon species thrive in temperate to cold waters. Their habitat includes rivers and lakes in subtropical, temperate, and subarctic regions. They are also found along the coastal waters of Eurasia and North America.
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