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European sturgeon
Europäischer Stör
Scientific name: Acipenser sturio
NativeFreshwaterMigratory
Behavior
A large anadromous fish that spends most of its life on the seabed near shore, feeding on bottom-dwelling animals; migrates upstream to spawn over gravel in fast-flowing water.
Features
Enormous size (3-6 m) and extremely long lifespan (up to 100 years). Listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered.
Distribution
Historically widespread across Europe's major rivers. In Germany once found in all rivers draining to the North Sea (Elbe, Weser, Rhine); now extinct in the wild, sustained only by restocking since 2008.