Russian sturgeon

(Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)




Facts about this animal

Russian sturgeons may reach a length of 4 m and a body-weight of up to 160 kg, however, such large animals have become very rare nowadays.

In the sea, Russian sturgeons live mainly near the shore over sand and mud. They are usually solitary, but swarm when hibernating or during spawning migrations. Occasionally they form schools.

Most males begin become seuxually mature at an age of 11 to 13 years, while the equivalent age for the females is 12 to 16 years. They migrate upstream for spawning, which occurs from May to June.

The Russian sturgeon feeds on molluscs, crustaceans and small fish such as anchovies, sprats, or gobies.

Did you know?
that Russian sturgeons can reach an age of 50-60 years?


Name (Scientific) Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
Name (English) Russian sturgeon
Name (French) Esturgeon du Danube
Name (German) Waxdick
Name (Spanish) Esturión del Danubio
Local names Bulgarian: Ruska esetra
Hungarian: Vágo tok
Romanian: Nisetru
Russian: Chernamorsko-azovskyi osetr, Djirim, Viziga
Turskish: Rusmersini baligi
CITES Status Appendix II
CMS Status Appendix II



Photo Copyright by
Zoo Düsseldorf



Range Caspian, Black and Azov Seas and their tributaries: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Hungary, Iran, Kazakhstan, Moldavia, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovakia (up to Bratislava), Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
Habitat Seas, estuaries and major rivers
Wild population No data
Zoo population 8 reported to ISIS (2008) Considering that most public aquaria are not part of the WAZA system and do not register their collections with ISIS, available ISIS data are not significant.

In the Zoo

Russian sturgeon


How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 52 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Fish must be unpacked carefully and under low illumination.


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Photo Copyright by
Zoo Düsseldorf

Why do zoos keep this animal

While this is an endangered species in the wild, public aquaria do not contribute to its conservation through ex situ-breeding programmes, but they use sturgeons purchased from aquaculture operations for educational purposes and as flagship species the conservation of commercially used fish species.