What is the difference between sturgeon and sturgeon? Similarities and differences

In Russia, without any delicious dishes from sturgeon, no royal feast could manage. To the court of the rulers, the fish were brought in troughs dug out of oak trunks, shifting it with a damp rag to deliver the lord to the living. For the most important festive tables, the powers were preparing the jellied and ear from sterlet, and the huge sturgeon baked with vegetables was the main decoration of the feasts. People who for generations have been engaged in the harvest of this noble fish have often never tried it in their entire life, because it cost a lot of money, and the entire fishing industry was strictly controlled.

Today, the catch volumes of this fish have decreased critically, and it has not become more accessible to the broad masses. However, if you want some sturgeons can be found on sale. But to distinguish them one from another - the task is more serious. Here, for example, how many people know what distinguishes sturgeon from sturgeon? The answer to this question is not so complicated, as it may seem at first glance. In order to determine who is who, it is enough to know the main differences - then even at first glance you can accurately determine what a strange fish in front of you.

What do biologists say?

Surprisingly, any guide to zoology can help to find the answer to the question of what distinguishes sturgeon from sturgeon. The difference between fish in the official classification. The family of sturgeon includes the same genus. A sterlet is one of the species that it includes. In other words, all representatives of the genus Sturgeon are called sturgeon, of which there are as many as 19 species. A sterlet is a narrower definition.

Common features of all sturgeon

Representatives of the family are large in size. This point will help to understand what distinguishes sturgeon from sturgeon. In sturgeons, tender white meat with a low fat content and a few bones. And their caviar all over the world is considered one of the most valuable delicacies.

Sturgeons live in rivers, many of them like travel, and periodically go to the seas. This is related to the peculiarities of spawning. In this regard, sterlet is an exception, it is a home-fish.

When size matters

Have you ever seen pictures of beluga? This fish belongs to the Sturgeon and is one of the largest on the planet, reaching several meters in length. But the sterlet can be called an anti-record champion. It is the smallest in the family, its length rarely reaches a meter. The largest caught specimens reached approximately 125 cm. Sterlet weighs about 3-5 kilograms. On the question of what distinguishes sterlet from sturgeon, you can safely answer: "First of all - in size." All other members of the family are larger than sterlet.

Features of the structure of the head

The shape of the head and nose is the following characteristic feature, by which one can also determine the difference between sturgeon and sturgeon. The photo will help to see the differences visually. Take a closer look: the nose of the sterlet is long and pointed, its head is narrow and shallow in comparison with the body. In addition, this fish has a fringed mustache.

Most sturgeons are different: the nose is shorter, the head is bigger and wider. And anglers say that the sterlet has some special look, as if surprised or naive. Sturgeon looks differently - as if more confident. Of course, we are not talking about the character and not about the fact that you can read the fish's thoughts by sight. This phenomenon is due solely to the features of the structure of the skull.

Color and structure of the body

Types of sturgeon include several breeds, very similar to each other. Do not focus on color, trying to determine what distinguishes sturgeon from sturgeon. What is the difference in color of these fish? All sturgeon, including sterlet, have a gray color, about light to almost black.

But you can help count the side beetles - special bone flaps. The sterlet has more of them than other sturgeon. Beetles can be up to 70 pieces, but there are only 50 of them. Stem spines are crowned with sharp spines. The sturgeon's body is smoother. In the next photo, this noble fish is clearly visible.

Lifestyle

Some sturgeons lead some incredible life. For example, the beluga leaves to spawn from the sea into the rivers flowing into it, overcoming the many kilometers long path. Sturgeon also likes to "walk", but the sterlet is a sedentary fish. She lives in clean running water, leads a benthonic lifestyle, but also rises to the surface in order to hunt for zazevavshihsya insects. Like all sturgeon, sterlet is a predator. She eats larvae, worms, small fish, caviar of other underwater inhabitants. Although the sterlet is not very fond of travel, but it also happens to swim in the lake. She behaves there more cautiously than in her native river, continues to hunt, but will never spawn.

Caviar

You can distinguish these fish from each other and their caviar. Sterlet, as we already know, is relatively small, hence, there is less roe in it. It has a rich color, and a grain the size of a bead. Slightly greenish sturgeon caviar is larger.

Meat

And do you know what distinguishes sturgeon from sturgeon to taste? Sturgeon meat is dryish, its fat content is 15%. Sterlet meat is fatter, and the taste is more gentle and delicate. Its fat content reaches 30%. Real gourmets believe that the sterlet is more delicious. Usually it is prepared from ear and jellied, but it is suitable for other dishes. Sturgeon is also very valuable, delicacies from it are served in the best fish restaurants around the world. Especially spectacular looks sturgeon, baked entirely. As in the old days, it is served to the table on the occasion of the most significant events.