Fin's Fish Guide
The European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Acipenseridae that grows up to 600 cm.
Northeast Atlantic coast and adjacent seas; anadromous, formerly spawned in large Western European rivers, now almost exclusively in the Gironde.
Description
The European sturgeon is an ancient, cartilage-rich fish of the family Acipenseridae that can reach about 5 to 6 metres and a hundred years of age. Instead of scales the elongate body bears five rows of large bony plates. The pointed snout has four barbels in front of a protrusible, inferior mouth, with which the fish probes the bottom for worms, shellfish, crustaceans and small fish. The sturgeon is anadromous: it lives along the Atlantic coast and once ran up large western European rivers such as the Rhine, Meuse and Gironde to spawn. Through dams, pollution and overfishing for its eggs (caviar) the species is almost extinct and assessed as Critically Endangered (CR); it now reproduces in only one French river. Reintroduction programmes are trying to bring it back.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the European sturgeon?
The European sturgeon has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Ancient cartilaginous sturgeon with five rows of bony scutes, a protrusible inferior mouth and four barbels in front of the mouth; migrates up the rivers to spawn.
Where does the European sturgeon live?
The European sturgeon lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Northeast Atlantic coast and adjacent seas; anadromous, formerly spawned in large Western European rivers, now almost exclusively in the Gironde.
How big does the European sturgeon get?
The European sturgeon grows to a maximum of about 600 cm. On average the species is around 125 cm.
Is the European sturgeon dangerous to humans?
No, the European sturgeon is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the European sturgeon edible?
The European sturgeon is not usually eaten.
More photos
Easily confused with
These species look like the European sturgeon and live in the same waters.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Acipenser
More from the family Acipenseridae
Want the complete picture on the European sturgeon?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the European sturgeon is one of 12,519 species in the app.