The star-sturgeon, or Acipenser Stellatus, is a critically endangered species, highly valued for its commercial worth. This amphihaline fish, migrating between fresh and saltwater, is primarily found in the Black, Caspian, and Azov Seas. Despite repopulation efforts, particularly in the Azov Sea, it remains actively fished, which severely threatens its survival.
It takes seven years of meticulous care for the star-sturgeon to produce its caviar, Sevruga.
This sturgeon is distinguished by its long, narrow rostrum, which represents more than 60% of its head length, and its elongated, streamlined body covered with star-shaped bony plates. Its barbels are short and lightly fringed, with a lower lip split in the middle. In the sea, its color is darker than in freshwater, and it can reach an impressive size of 220 cm and a weight of 80 kg, with a lifespan of about 40 years.
Young star-sturgeons primarily feed on insect larvae, annelids, mollusks, and crustaceans, allowing them to develop rapidly. Males reach sexual maturity around 7 years old in the Don, Kuban, and Volga rivers, measuring about 105 cm and weighing between 3 and 4 kg. Females mature at 8 to 9 years, reaching 120 cm and weighing 9 to 10 kg.
The star-sturgeon is a rapid hatching species, meaning that after fertilization, the egg develops into a larva in record time, making transport of this species extremely challenging. This biological trait posed a significant challenge during the importation of its eggs in 2019, an ambitious journey that saw these precious cargoes travel across Russia, France, and finally Madagascar to reach the Acipenser farm. This trip remains the longest ever undertaken for this species, a remarkable feat in the world of aquaculture.
