Sakhalin sturgeon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sakhalin sturgeon |
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| A Russian coin depicting a Sakhalin sturgeon | |
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Acipenser
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| Species: |
mikadoi
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The Sakhalin sturgeon (Acipenser mikadoi) is a special type of fish. It belongs to the sturgeon family, which is one of the oldest fish families on Earth! You can find this fish living near Japan and Russia.
Contents
Where They Live
The Sakhalin sturgeon can live in both salty ocean water and fresh river water. They usually stay close to the bottom of the water. These fish are also found in places where fresh and salt water mix, called brackish waters. They prefer warmer, tropical climates.
How Big Are They?
The biggest Sakhalin sturgeon ever recorded was about 150 centimeters long. That's about 59 inches, or almost 5 feet tall! Imagine a fish as tall as a person!
Their Habits and Life Cycle
Sakhalin sturgeon are known for their amazing journeys. They swim from the ocean up into rivers to lay their eggs. This journey is called spawning.
From April to May, these sturgeon eat and live in fresh river water. Then, when summer arrives, they swim back to the ocean.
There are two types of sturgeon that look quite similar. The Sakhalin sturgeon lives in the Amur River basin in China and Russia. The green sturgeon lives along the Pacific coast of North America. Even though they live far apart, scientists think they might have come from the same ancestor a long time ago.
What They Look Like
The Sakhalin sturgeon has a unique look. Its body is usually olive-green or dark green. Its sides are a yellowish-white color. You might also spot an olive-green stripe along its body. A special feature of this fish is its bottom lip, which is split into two parts.
Where You Can Find Them
You can mostly find the Sakhalin sturgeon in the Northwest Pacific Ocean. They live in areas like the Bering Sea, and near northern Japan and Korea. They are also known to lay their eggs regularly in a specific river called the Tumnin River.
Dangers They Face
Sadly, the Sakhalin sturgeon is in big trouble. Its population is shrinking fast. Here are some of the main dangers they face:
- Illegal Fishing: People sometimes catch them illegally, which is called poaching.
- Fishing Nets: They can get caught by accident in large fishing nets used for other fish. This is called bycatch.
- Pollution: Dirty water from human activities harms their homes.
- Dams: Building dams on rivers blocks their path. This stops them from swimming upstream to lay their eggs.
Because of these threats, the Sakhalin sturgeon is now on the edge of disappearing forever.
Images for kids
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A Russian coin showing a Sakhalin sturgeon
