Fin's Fish Guide
Ship sturgeon
The Ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) is a fish that lives in both fresh and salt water of the family Acipenseridae that grows up to 211 cm.
Basins of the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the former Aral Sea; an anadromous migratory fish that grows up at sea and ascends the large rivers to spawn. Today reduced to small remnant populations.
Description
The ship sturgeon is a large sturgeon of the family Acipenseridae reaching over 2 metres. It has a pointed snout with fringed barbels beneath it and, unlike most relatives, a continuous, uninterrupted lower lip. Like all sturgeons it bears five lengthwise rows of bony plates instead of ordinary scales. It is an anadromous migrant of the Black Sea, Caspian Sea and former Aral Sea basins, growing up at sea and ascending the great rivers to spawn. On the bottom it eats molluscs, worms, crustaceans and small fish. Through overfishing for its flesh and caviar, river barriers and the disappearance of the Aral Sea the species has collapsed worldwide and is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Ship sturgeon?
The Ship sturgeon has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Large sturgeon with a pointed snout, fringed barbels and a continuous, uninterrupted lower lip; five rows of bony plates along the body.
Where does the Ship sturgeon live?
The Ship sturgeon lives in both fresh and salt water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Basins of the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea and the former Aral Sea; an anadromous migratory fish that grows up at sea and ascends the large rivers to spawn. Today reduced to small remnant populations.
How big does the Ship sturgeon get?
The Ship sturgeon grows to a maximum of about 211 cm. On average the species is around 132 cm.
Is the Ship sturgeon dangerous to humans?
No, the Ship sturgeon is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.
Is the Ship sturgeon edible?
Yes, the Ship sturgeon is a highly prized food fish.
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
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Status & sources
Same genus Acipenser
More from the family Acipenseridae
Want the complete picture on the Ship sturgeon?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Ship sturgeon is one of 12,519 species in the app.