Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order Acipenseriformes
Family: Acipenseridae
Genus: Huso
Species: H. huso
Sturgeon is a name for a type of fish that is part of the Acipenseridae family. There are 27 species that fit into this category and sturgeons can be found all over the world. Though each species is unique, they all share some similar characteristics. They look different from the average fish that you might catch in any river or lake. Scientists believe, based on fossils from the Triassic Period (2455 to 208 million years ago), that the sturgeons haven’t changed at all since dinosaurs walked the earth. Most other animals have changed and adapted over millions of years to adjust to their different environments. The sturgeons however did not, because of this they are called “primitive fish.” Some of the characteristics that are different from more modern fish are the lines of bony plates along their sides that act as armor. They have these bony plates called scutes instead of scales. The rest of their skin is smooth.
• Sturgeons are very large. Most grow between 7 and 12 feet long, but some species can reach even 18 feet long.
• They are bottom feeders.
• Different species live all over the world, but they generally like river deltas and estuaries.
• The largest recorded sturgeon caught was a female that weighed 3,463 pounds and was 24 feet long.
• The Beluga is the largest species, they live in the Caspian and Black Seas.
• They are considered freshwater fish, but can also survive in salt water.
Unfortunately, many sturgeon species are endangered from over-fishing. Their eggs, called caviar, are considered a delicacy all over the world. The Beluga caviar is the most expensive, but the eggs from the Ossetra and Sevruga sturgeon are also popular. The most expensive caviar is $1,000 an ounce. Unfortunately, the popularity of the Beluga caviar has made the giant, ancient fish an endangered species. To maintain the species, the United Statesmade caviar from this specific species illegal in 2005. Not all caviar is harmful to the sturgeon populations, however. There are fishermen who are working hard to still provide the delicious salty eggs while still making sure that the sturgeon population lasts for years to come, this is called sustainable fishing.
