Author: Linnaeus, 1758
FBname: Sterlet sturgeon
Comments: A fluvial fish which inhabits rivers and their tributaries (Ref. 9696).  Occurs in large rivers, usually in the current and in deep water.  Moves to flooded areas to feed (Ref.  59043).  Chiefly potamodromous (Ref. 58897).  Like other sturgeons, it aggregates in bottom holes in winter and exhibits little activity.  In spring, when ice breaks, it rises from the bottom holes and moves upstream for spawning (Ref. 593).  Spawns in habitats with strong-current on gravel, rarely on gravel-sand bottom or in flooded sites.  Juveniles stay in riverine habitats during their first summer.  Classified as endangered species.  Anadromous populations are now extirpated; local populations are still surviving in most parts of range (Ref. 59043).