Sterlet
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| Sterlet | |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Acipenseriformes |
| Family: | Acipenseridae |
| Genus: | Acipenser |
| Species: | A. ruthenus |
| Binomial name | |
| Acipenser ruthenus Linnaeus, 1758 |
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The sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) is a common Eurasian species of sturgeon, one of the smaller species of sturgeon. It is a common domestic species in the UK and Europe and an angling species all over the world. It can also be grown for eating or for its caviar or isinglass.
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[edit] Physical appearance
- The sterlet may reach 16 kg in weight and 100 to 125 cm in length, rarely exceeding a length of 3 ft.
- It is quite variable in coloration, but usually has a yellowish ventral side.
- It is distinguishable between other European species of sturgeons by the presence of a great number of whitish lateral scutes, fringed barbels, and an elongated and narrow snout, highly variable in length,.
[edit] Feeding habits
The sterlet's main source of food is benthic organisms; they commonly feed on crustaceans, worms, and insect larvae.
[edit] Life span
The sterlet commonly reaches the age of 22 to 25 years.
[edit] Sexual maturity
- Males: 3–7 Years Old
- Females: 4–12 Years Old
[edit] Fecundity
Females may lay from 15,000–44,000 eggs.
[edit] Spawning period
- Middle of April – End of May—Beginning of June.
[edit] Spawning requirements
- Sexually mature adults
- Within spawning period
- Water temperature preferably 12–17 °C (54–63 °F).
[edit] As pond fish
Sterlets require relatively large ponds with good water conditions, and may get entangled in plants such as blanketweed. Sterlets may require specialist food such as sterlet sticks, as they are unable to digest the vegetable proteins usually found in commercial fish foods.
[edit] As food
In Russia, it is held in high esteem on account of its excellent flesh, contributing also to the best kinds of caviar and isinglass.
[edit] Sturgeon hybrids
- Sterlet x Beluga (Huso huso) = (Bester)
- Sterlet x Siberian [Russian (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)]
- Sterlet x Diamondback
- The most common sturgeon hybrid is Diamondback x Siberian.
- There is also Italian x Diamondback.
- Hybrids are hardier than their parents.
[edit] References
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