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Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) — Acipenseridae

Amur sturgeon

Acipenser schrenckii
Family: Acipenseridae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Acipenseridae that grows up to 300 cm.

Length
300 cm
Water
Euryhaline
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Japan, Mongolia, Russia
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Amur sturgeon is a sturgeon (Acipenseridae) from the Amur River system in East Asia, on the border of Russia and China. The species can grow to about 3 metres and has an elongate body with bony back plates, a pointed snout and four barbels before an underslung mouth. As a bottom-dweller it migrates through the river and searches for worms, insect larvae, molluscs and small fish. Through overfishing for caviar and habitat loss the species is critically endangered. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Amur sturgeon?

The Amur sturgeon has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly silver-grey.

Where does the Amur sturgeon live?

The Amur sturgeon lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Japan, Mongolia, Russia

How big does the Amur sturgeon get?

The Amur sturgeon grows to a maximum of about 300 cm.

Is the Amur sturgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Amur sturgeon is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Amur sturgeon edible?

Yes, the Amur sturgeon is commonly eaten.

More photos

Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) — Acipenseridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) yuan1717, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) — Acipenseridae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) andrey19780619, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) — Acipenseridae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) andrey19780619, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Amur sturgeon (Acipenser schrenckii) — Acipenseridae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Andrey P. Shmigirilov, Anastassia A. Mednikova & Joshua A. Israel (CC0)
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Amur sturgeon sourced
Scientific name
Acipenser schrenckii
Family
Acipenseridae
Other names
Amur sturgeon; Japanese sturgeon verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
300.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) sourced
Barbels
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Euryhaline sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Natural range
Asia: China, Japan, Mongolia, Russia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
levensduur_max_jaar
65.0 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acipenser

More from the family Acipenseridae

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