Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon
CR

Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon

Pseudoscaphirhynchus hermanni

Declining

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_sturgeon

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Dwarf Sturgeon faces severe population decline primarily due to dam construction along the Amu Darya River system, which has fragmented its habitat and disrupted natural flow patterns essential for spawning. Overfishing and illegal harvesting for caviar have further decimated remaining populations, while water diversions for irrigation have dramatically reduced river flows. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing water temperatures beyond the species' tolerance range.

Threat summary

Habitat

The Dwarf Sturgeon inhabits the lower reaches of the Amu Darya River system in Central Asia, preferring deep river channels with moderate to strong currents. It requires specific spawning grounds in upstream areas with gravel substrates and clean, well-oxygenated water.

FRESHWATER· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionLegislation

Other threatened species in ACIPENSERIDAE

Siberian SturgeonCR

Siberian Sturgeon

Acipenser baerii

Declining
Amu Darya Shovelnose SturgeonCR

Amu Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon

Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni

Declining
Stellate SturgeonCR

Stellate Sturgeon

Acipenser stellatus

Declining
Chinese SturgeonCR

Chinese Sturgeon

Acipenser sinensis

Declining

Threatened in Turkmenistan

Asian HoubaraVU

Asian Houbara

Chlamydotis macqueenii

Declining
VU

Urial

Ovis vignei

Declining
EN

Darevskia kopetdaghica

Declining
Gnorimoschema herbichiiVU

Gnorimoschema herbichii

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon classified as Critically Endangered?
Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Dwarf Sturgeon faces severe population decline primarily due to dam construction along the Amu Darya River system, which has fragmented its habitat and disrupted natural flow patterns essential for spawning. Overfishing and illegal harvesting for caviar have further decimated remaining populations, while water diversions for irrigation have dramatically reduced river flows. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and increasing water temperatures beyond the species' tolerance range.
Where does Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon live?
Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon occurs in Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon?
The main threats to Small Amu-Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon are 2.1, 7.2, 7.3, and 9.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.