sturgeon

Sturgeon is a common name for any of the fishes in the family Acipenseridae, a group of ancient, primarily long-lived ray-finned fishes. They inhabit river systems, estuaries, and coastal waters across the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of North America, Europe, and Asia. There are about 27 species in several genera, including Acipenser, Huso, and Scaphirhynchus.

They have elongated, scaleless bodies with a heterocercal tail and a shield of bony scutes along the body. The snout is often elongated and pointed, with sensory barbels near the mouth on the underside. They are primarily bottom feeders, consuming invertebrates and small vertebrates, using their barbels and mouth to detect prey.

Sturgeon are generally long-lived and late-maturing; some species may live several decades, with maturity often not reached until 10–25 years, depending on the species. Most sturgeon are anadromous or semi-anadromous, migrating between rivers and the sea to spawn. Spawning typically occurs in gravel or rocky rivers; females lay large numbers of eggs that hatch into free-swimming larvae.

Ecologically and economically, sturgeon are notable for their roe, which is processed into caviar. This has led to heavy fishing pressure and declines in many populations. Many species are now protected or regulated under national laws and international agreements such as CITES. Notable species include the beluga sturgeon (Huso huso), prized for its caviar, the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus), and the white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus).