Acipenser schrenckii

(Brandt, 1869)

Vernacular names
English : Amur sturgeon
French : Esturgeon de l’Amour

Classification
Class : Chondrostei
Order : Acipenseriformes
Family : Acipenseridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach 3 meters for a weight of 190 kg although most specimens don’t grow above 1 meter. 5 rows of bony shields found, short but pointed and slightly upturned snout. Two color morphs known, grey and brown, clear belly.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in North-east Asia, in China and Russia, in the Amur river basin (and its tributaries) and in Lake Khanka. Perhaps also found in Japan Sea. Lives in large medium to fast-flowing rivers with muddy bottom, lakes.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is highly endangered and is still targeted by fisheries despite a decline of more than 95 %. Also vulnerable to loss of habitat.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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