Amur Sturgeon
Acipenser schrenckii
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amur_sturgeon
Overview
Sinosturio schrenckii, the Amur sturgeon, sometimes known as the Japanese sturgeon, is a freshwater species of fish in the sturgeon family. Being able to grow up to a length of 3 meters and weight of 190 kg, this species can be primarily found in its two distinct morphs of grey and brown in the Amur River and Amur Estuary. This sturgeon is a potamodromous migrator, performing their migrations through the Amur river.
Due to over-fishing and caviar production, this species is currently listed as critically endangered on the IUCN red list.
The Amur sturgeon has suffered severe population declines due to decades of overfishing for its meat and caviar, which remains highly valued on both legal and black markets. Dam construction and river engineering across the Amur-Heilong basin have blocked or degraded access to the gravel spawning grounds this non-migratory species depends on for reproduction. Pollution and habitat alteration from industrial and agricultural runoff further compromise water quality in its limited freshwater range.
Habitat
Acipenser schrenckii inhabits the Amur River basin and adjacent marine waters of the northwestern Pacific, including the Sea of Okhotsk and northern Sea of Japan. The species requires both deep marine waters for feeding and specific freshwater river habitats with gravel or rocky substrates for successful spawning and early development.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in ACIPENSERIDAE
Threatened in China
Frequently asked questions
Why is Amur Sturgeon classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Amur Sturgeon live?
What are the main threats to Amur Sturgeon?
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