Starry Sturgeon

Acipenser stellatus

Acipenser stellatus, commonly known as the starry sturgeon, is native to the Caspian, Aegean, Black, and Azov sea basins. Starry sturgeon can grow over 7 feet long, but they're nowhere near the longest members of the Acipenser family! This fish gets its name from the white scales along its lateral line and the white tips of the scutes that run along its back, all of which stand out like stars against its otherwise dark coloring. This sturgeon enjoys a diet of worms, mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. Currently, this fish is listed on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered, as it is one of the primary species harvested for caviar.

"It sticks to the bottom of the coastal seafloor during the day, and moves up in the water column at night to feed! It will also feed near the seafloor, looking for prey animals hiding in the sand, such as mollusks, crustaceans, fish and worms."-- Ranch, @fishyfishyfishtimes

A. stellatus has many common names. In Russia and the surrounding Eurasian countries, it is called sevruga - from the Old Turkic sivrüg, meaning 'sharpened or pointed'. In, Romania, it is called păstrugă. In Farsi and Turkish it is known by the name uzun burun, meaning 'long nosed'. In English-speaking countries this fish is called either the starry or stellate sturgeon.

My favorite sturgeon is Acipenser stellatus, the starry sturgeon. I think their name is so romantic. I love to imagine the people who first saw one and said something to the effect of, "upon the back of this beaſt th're be stars!" And there are! Starry sturgeon also have one of my favorite snout shapes among the many varied lengths and widths of sturgeon snouts. I love their narrow snouts and their coloration. They put stars in my eyes.

"Starry Sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) Fish in Aquarium" by Tatiana Belova (shutterstock)

A. stellatus painted by me :)