Acipenser sinensis

(Gray, 1835)

Vernacular names
English : Chinese sturgeon
French : Esturgeon de Chine

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

Identification
Adults can grow up to 5 meters in length for a weight up to 500 kg. Snout short but pointed, broad head. 5 rows of bony shields, although bottom two rows rarely visible. Light grey to dark grey coloration with clearer belly.

Range and habitat
The species is found in eastern Asia, occurring in eastern China, Korea and Japan. It has been extirpated from most of its former range. Adults are mostly at sea, juveniles in rivers and estuaries.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has been nearly wiped out by overexploitation throughout its range. Also vulnerable to loss of habitat by hydroelectric schemes.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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