Chinese Sturgeon [Acipenser sinensis]
Description
Acipenser sinensis, commonly known as Chinese Sturgeon, is a large fish species that resides in the Yangtze River in China. This species of sturgeon is unique for its long, spindle-shaped body and its heterocercal tail. It is characterized by five rows of osseous plates and a snout that is both long and narrow. Known to be a highly migratory species, it travels upstream to spawn in the freshwater river system. Chinese Sturgeons can reach lengths of up to 5 meters and can weigh up to 450 kg, making them one of the largest sturgeon species. They are critically endangered, with population declines resulting from overfishing, pollution, and habitat loss due to dam construction.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Chordates
Chordata
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Fish
Actinopterygii
|
| Order |
Sturgeons and Paddlefishes
Acipenseriformes
|
| Family |
Sturgeons
Acipenseridae
|
| Genus |
Chinese Sturgeons
Huso
|