Home · Acipenseridae · Sakhalin sturgeon
Sakhalin sturgeon (Acipenser mikadoi) — Acipenseridae

Sakhalin sturgeon

Acipenser mikadoi
Family: Acipenseridae
CR · Critically Endangered

The Sakhalin sturgeon (Acipenser mikadoi) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Acipenseridae that grows up to 150 cm.

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

Want the complete picture on the Sakhalin sturgeon?

Get the app

Description

The Sakhalin sturgeon is a sturgeon (Acipenseridae) from the northwest Pacific that migrates between the sea and rivers of the Russian Far East and Japan to spawn. The species grows to about 1.5 metres and has an elongate body with bony back plates, a pointed snout and four barbels. As a bottom-dweller it searches for worms, molluscs and crustaceans. Through overfishing and habitat loss the species is critically endangered. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sakhalin sturgeon?

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

Where does the Sakhalin sturgeon live?

The Sakhalin sturgeon lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Japan, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia

How big does the Sakhalin sturgeon get?

The Sakhalin sturgeon grows to a maximum of about 150 cm.

Is the Sakhalin sturgeon dangerous to humans?

No, the Sakhalin 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 Sakhalin sturgeon edible?

Yes, the Sakhalin sturgeon is commonly eaten.

More photos

Sakhalin sturgeon (Acipenser mikadoi) — Acipenseridae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) helga_smelt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Sakhalin sturgeon?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sakhalin sturgeon is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Sakhalin sturgeon sourced
Scientific name
Acipenser mikadoi
Family
Acipenseridae
Other names
Sakhalin sturgeon verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
150.0 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, Korea (North), Korea (South), Russia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
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

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Sakhalin sturgeon?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Sakhalin sturgeon is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Sakhalin sturgeon? Get the app