Acipenser (Sterletus) kankreni Valenciennes ex Duméril 1870
Acipenser (Sterletus) lovetzkyi Duméril 1870
Sterledus ruthenus var. sibiricus Dybowski 1874
Acipenser jeniscensis Herzenstein 1895
Acipenser ruthenus var. albinea Brusina 1902
Acipenser ruthenus var. birostrata Brusina 1902
Acipenser ruthenus var. obtusirostra Brusina 1902 non Lovetsky 1834
Acipenser ruthenus var. septemcarinata Brusina 1902
Acipenser ruthenicus Brusina 1902
Acipenser sterlet Brusina 1902
Acipenser sterleta Güldenstädt 1772
Acipenser ruthenus var. albus Antipa 1909
Acipenser ruthenus var. erytraea Antipa 1909
Acipenser ruthenus var. brevirostris Antipa 1909
Acipenser ruthenus ruzskyi Johansen 1946
Acipenser ruthenus ruzskyi n. baschmakovae Johansen 1946
Acipenser kosterus Fitzinger 1832
Euacipenser ruthenus (Linnaeus 1758)
Sterledus ruthenus sibiricus Dybowski 1874
Sterleta ruthena (Linnaeus 1758)
Sterletae ruthena (Linnaeus 1758)
Sterletus ruthenus (Linnaeus 1758)
The sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) is a relatively small species of
sturgeon from
Eurasia native to large rivers that flow into the
Black Sea,
Azov Sea, and
Caspian Sea, as well as rivers in
Siberia as far east as
Yenisei. Populations migrating between fresh and salt water (
anadromous) have been
extirpated.[1] It is also known as the sterlet sturgeon.
Due to
overfishing (for its flesh,
caviar, and
isinglass), pollution, and dams, the sterlet has declined throughout its native range and is considered
vulnerable by the
IUCN.[1] Restocking projects are ongoing, and it has been
introduced to some regions outside its native range, but the latter have generally not become self-sustaining.[1] Today, the majority of the international trade involves sterlets from
aquaculture.[1]
The sterlet may reach 16 kg in weight and 100 to 125 cm in length, rarely exceeding a length of 90 cm.
It is quite variable in coloration, but usually has a yellowish
ventral side.
It is distinguishable from other European species of sturgeons by the presence of a great number of whitish lateral
scutes, fringed
barbels, and an elongated and narrow snout, highly variable in length.
The sterlet commonly reaches the age of 22 to 25 years. Males reach sexual maturity at 3–7 years old and females at 4–12 years old. Spawning occurs from the middle of April to the beginning of June. Females may lay from 15,000–44,000 eggs, at water temperatures preferably 12–17 °C (54–63 °F).
As pond fish
Sterlets require relatively large ponds with good water conditions, and may get entangled in plants such as
blanketweed. They may require special food such as sterlet sticks, as they are unable to digest the vegetable proteins usually found in commercial fish foods.[citation needed]
As food
In Russia, it is held in high esteem on account of its excellent flesh, contributing also to the best kinds of caviar and
isinglass.[citation needed]
History in the Danube
The sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus in Linnaeus' classification) is the last of the five native sturgeon species inhabiting the Middle and Upper Danube River. Its population has dropped significantly, mainly due to the degradation of main habitats, spawning grounds and foraging grounds.[6]