{"id":2683,"date":"2021-03-09T10:19:28","date_gmt":"2021-03-09T10:19:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neuronicdev.es\/bpa\/animal\/siberian-sturgeon\/"},"modified":"2025-08-27T09:24:21","modified_gmt":"2025-08-27T08:24:21","slug":"siberian-sturgeon","status":"publish","type":"animal","link":"https:\/\/neuronicdev.es\/bpa\/discover\/animals\/siberian-sturgeon\/","title":{"rendered":"Siberian Sturgeon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With its long nose and distinctive dorsal scutes, the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) <\/em>is one of the most impressive members of the <\/strong>Northern Streams<\/strong><\/a> exhibit here at Blue Planet.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Did you know?<\/h3>\n
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At home amid the wilds of northern Russia, the Siberian sturgeon is a mid-sized member of the Acipenseridae<\/em> family \u2013 a group of fish that have swum our rivers for over 140 million years.<\/p>\n

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Growing to an average of 2m in length, these long-lived sturgeons have a lifespan of around 60 years, so it\u2019s very likely that the specimens you meet at Blue Planet are older than you!<\/p>\n

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Features & Characteristics<\/h3>\n
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Keen to learn how to spot the Siberian sturgeon in Northern Streams? Well, for starters, they\u2019re long and slender in build, with an elongated snout, pointed fins and unique dorsal scutes covering their bodies.<\/p>\n

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Another thing to note about the Siberian sturgeon is that the species is surprisingly colourful. Their scales range from grey to brown across the top of their bodies, while their underbellies are white and yellow. This helps them to stay camouflaged from predators and prey in any direction.<\/p>\n

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In the wild, Siberian sturgeon can grow beyond the two-metre mark, but generally stop at around 1.5m in captivity. Their growth is fully dependent on their diet and environment, with adolescent Acipenser baerii <\/em>growing rapidly in the right conditions.<\/p>\n

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One feature that has come to define the Siberian sturgeon is its \u201cscutes\u201d \u2013 a horn-like bone similar to those found on turtles and tortoises. Fully grown animals can be covered in nearly 200 of these bony plates, which grow beneath the skin from the tip of the snout to the point of the tail fin.<\/p>\n

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Habitat<\/h3>\n
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Siberian sturgeon have a non-migratory population in all river systems off the coast of Siberia and across Asia. They\u2019re Potamodromous, which means that they\u2019re exclusively freshwater species. Their young are spawned in main river channels over stone and gravel areas and are often found dwelling where the current is strongest.<\/p>\n

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Acipenser baerii <\/em>have been found in virtually every river and watercourse in Siberia, from the River Ob in the west to Lake Baikal in the south. They move upstream from the seas of Laptev, Barents and Kara, meaning they\u2019re perfectly adapted to marine and freshwater environments.<\/p>\n

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They migrate in the winter to source better oxygenated water, and swim upstream each year, sometimes thousands of kilometres to spawn, where they\u2019ll choose rocks and gravel amongst a fast-moving stream to release their eggs.<\/p>\n

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Sadly, due to damning, river pollution and habitat loss, Siberian sturgeon numbers are in decline throughout much of Russia. The IUCN recently added the animal to its \u2018Critically Endangered\u2019 list, with a very real chance of the fish being lost from Siberia\u2019s rivers, lakes and seas for good.<\/p>\n

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Diet<\/h3>\n
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Despite their size, Siberian sturgeons live on relatively small and immobile prey, including crustaceans, worms and insect larvae. Interestingly, they do not have very good eyesight, relying on other senses as they search the bottom of the streams and rivers for food.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Discover<\/h3>\n
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Siberian sturgeon are on display within the Northern Streams exhibit here at Blue Planet Aquarium. This is the place to learn more about the habitat and biodiversity of some of the world\u2019s coldest freshwater rivers and streams, with other creatures on display including the common carp and European perch.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>\n\n\n

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Factfile<\/h3>\n
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Impress your pals and get to know the Siberian sturgeon a little better with our pick of three incredible facts about these beautiful river dwellers.<\/p>\n

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