Sturgeon

A sturgeon is a family of large, primitive, and long-lived fish that are native to temperate waters in the Northern Hemisphere. They are well-known for their bony plates (scutes), caviar, and their resemblance to ancient fishes.

Sturgeons have a unique and prehistoric appearance. Instead of scales, their bodies are covered with five rows of bony plates called scutes. They have a flattened snout with four sensory barbels in front of their mouth, which they use to detect prey on the bottom. They are among the largest and longest-living freshwater fish, with some species growing over 20 feet in length and living for more than 100 years.

Sturgeons are found in a variety of habitats, including coastal waters, estuaries, and large rivers and lakes. Many species are anadromous, meaning they migrate from saltwater to freshwater to spawn. They are bottom-feeders that use their barbels and mouth to suck up a diet of crustaceans, worms, and other small invertebrates.

Sturgeons are most famous for their eggs, which are processed into caviar. This has made them a highly sought-after and valuable species. However, overfishing and habitat destruction have led to a severe decline in sturgeon populations worldwide, and many species are now considered critically endangered.