Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869
Siberian sturgeon
photo by Hartl, A.

Family:  Acipenseridae (Sturgeons), subfamily: Acipenserinae
Max. size:  200 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 210 kg; max. reported age: 63 years
Environment:  demersal; freshwater; brackish; pH range: 7 - 7.5; dH range: 20; depth range 0 - 200 m, potamodromous
Distribution:  Asia: Siberia, rivers Ob, Irtysh, Yenisei, Lena, Kolyma, Khatanga, Pyasina, Anabar, Olenyok, Yana and Lake Baikal (Ref. 57765). Non-migratory populations exist in all river systems (Ref. 57765).
Diagnosis:  Extended snouts; four barbels in front of the mouth (Ref. 4639). The back is light grey to dark brown colored. The belly color varies from white to clear yellow. Five row s of scutes: 10-19D, 32-59L, 7-16V. Small star-like scutes between the main ones. Clearly slit inferior lip (Ref. 40476).
Biology:  Found in deep and shallow parts of rivers, with moderate to swift current usually at depths of 1 to 8 m (Ref. 57765). Adults live essentially in freshwater although some fish frequently occur in estuaries. Males are sexually mature between 9 and 29 years; females between 9 and 34 years (Ref. 57765). Spawn in main river channel over stone-gravel or gravel-sand bottom and with strong current (Ref. 59043).
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 14 September 2019 (A2bd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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