Max length : 235 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 719); common length : 145 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 3561); max. published weight: 115.0 kg (Ref. 6866); max. reported age: 46 years (Ref. 3561)
Length at first maturity
, range 100 - 110 cm
Environment
Demersal; anadromous (Ref. 51243); freshwater; brackish; marine; depth range 1 - ? m
Eurasia: Black Sea, Sea of Azov and Caspian Sea, entering all main rivers that empty into them (Don, Kuban, Danube, Dnieper (rare), Dniester). International trade restricted (CITES II, since 1.4.98; CMS Appendix II). Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions
Short description
Dorsalspines
(total): 0;
Dorsalsoft rays
(total): 27 - 48;
Analsoft rays: 16 - 35. Under the name A. g. colchicus. Lower lip not continuous, interrupted at center. Five rows of scutes: dorsal 7-19, lateral 24-44 on each side, ventral 6-13 on each side, with lines of smaller stellate bony plates between the dorsal and ventral rows. Color of back olivaceous grey, flanks lighter, and belly white.
Found mainly near the shore over sand and mud. Usually solitary, but swarms when hibernating or during spawning migrations. Occasionally forms schools (Ref. 3241). Feeds on mollusks, crustaceans and small fishes (anchovies, sprats, gobies). Spawning occurs from May to June. Mainly propagated through artificial reproduction.
