Amu Darya sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni) fish species and information / pictures of Amu Darya sturgeon - Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni

Amu Darya sturgeon (Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni) fish species information

Scientific Name
Pseudoscaphirhynchus kaufmanni

Common Name
Amu Darya sturgeon

Biology
Its natural habitat and population have declined due to the breakage of the hydrological regime of the Amu Dariya River. Usual weight not more than 600-700 grams. Females with mature hard roe, very rare. Apparently sensitive to oxygen content in the water, changes in its chemical content, and to pollution. Fishing is prohibited (Ref. 35930). Spawns at 16? C (Ref. 719).

Classification

Classified By

Kessler, 1877

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Sturgeons and Paddlefishes (Acipenseriformes)

Family

Sturgeons (Acipenseridae)

Distribution

Region

Asia

Distribution

Asia: Former USSR: Amu Darya River from the Pyandzh to the mouths and lower tributaries. Sometimes in the brackish water of Taldyk Bay, the delta of the Amu Darya in the Aral Sea. Considered close to extinction (Ref. 6866). International trade restricted (CITES II, since 1.4.98; CMS Appendix II). Registered in the 1984 USSR Red Book; 1985 Turkmen SSR Red Data Book; 1996 IUCN Red List; an d1997 CITES Lists (Ref. 35930).

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

10 °C

Water Temperature To

20 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; brackish; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

3.11 s.e. 0.39 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

75.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: commercial

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (55 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (K=0.16; tm=6-7)

Threat To Humans

  Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

  Critically Endangered (CR) (A2c)