At a glance
- IUCN category
- VU · Vulnerable
- Animal group
- Fish
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The sterlet is a small sturgeon of Eurasian rivers, valued for its meat and caviar. It is assessed as Vulnerable.
Unlike many sturgeons it can complete its life cycle within rivers.
Range & habitat
Rivers of Eurasia draining to the Black, Caspian, and Arctic seas.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Overfishing
- Dams and habitat change
- Pollution
Why it matters
A river-dwelling sturgeon and a long-exploited fishery species, the sterlet is a flagship for the health of Eurasia's great rivers.
Sources
Sources for Sterlet
- IUCN Red List — look up Sterlet (authoritative status)
- FishBase
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the sterlet different from other sturgeons?
It is smaller than most sturgeons and is largely a freshwater fish that can live and breed within rivers rather than migrating from the sea.
Why is the sterlet Vulnerable?
Published assessments cite overfishing, dams and habitat change, and pollution. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
Last updated: