Acipenser (Sterletus) kankreni Valenciennes ex Duméril 1870
Acipenser (Sterletus) lovetzkyi Duméril 1870
Sterledus ruthenus var. sibiricus Dybowski 1874
Acipenser jeniscensis Herzenstein 1895
Acipenser ruthenus var. albinea Brusina 1902
Acipenser ruthenus var. birostrata Brusina 1902
Acipenser ruthenus var. obtusirostra Brusina 1902 non Lovetsky 1834
Acipenser ruthenus var. septemcarinata Brusina 1902
Acipenser ruthenicus Brusina 1902
Acipenser sterlet Brusina 1902
Acipenser sterleta Güldenstädt 1772
Acipenser ruthenus var. albus Antipa 1909
Acipenser ruthenus var. erytraea Antipa 1909
Acipenser ruthenus var. brevirostris Antipa 1909
Acipenser ruthenus ruzskyi Johansen 1946
Acipenser ruthenus ruzskyi n. baschmakovae Johansen 1946
Acipenser kosterus Fitzinger 1832
Euacipenser ruthenus (Linnaeus 1758)
Sterledus ruthenus sibiricus Dybowski 1874
Sterleta ruthena (Linnaeus 1758)
Sterletae ruthena (Linnaeus 1758)
Sterletus ruthenus (Linnaeus 1758)
The sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) is a relatively small species of sturgeon from Eurasia native to large rivers that flow into the Black Sea, Azov Sea, and Caspian Sea, as well as rivers in Siberia as far east as Yenisei. Populations migrating between fresh and salt water (anadromous) have been extirpated.[1] It is also known as the sterlet sturgeon.
Due to overfishing (for its flesh, caviar, and isinglass), pollution, and dams, the sterlet has declined throughout its native range and is considered vulnerable by the IUCN.[1] Restocking projects are ongoing, and it has been introduced to some regions outside its native range, but the latter have generally not become self-sustaining.[1] Today, the majority of the international trade involves sterlets from aquaculture.[1]