{{Speciesbox | image = Acipenser ruthenus Prague Vltava_1.jpg | image_caption = | status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = | status2 = CITES_A2 | status2_system = CITES | status2_ref = | taxon = Acipenser ruthenus | authority = Linnaeus, 1758 | synonyms_ref= | synonyms ={{collapsible list|bullets = true|title=List | Acipenser pygmaeus Pallas 1814 non Reisinger 1830 | ?Acipenser kostera Fitzinger 1832 | ?Acipenser koster Gmelin 1774 nomen nudum | Acipenser marsiglii Brandt 1833 | Acipenser kamensis Lovetsky 1834 | Acipenser gmelini Fitzinger 1836 | Acipenser aleutensis Fitzinger 1836 | Acipenser dubius Heckel 1836 | ?Acipenser ruthenus var. leucotica Brandt 1853 | Acipenser ruthenus var. grisescens Brandt 1853 | 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) }} | range_map = AcipenserRuthenusIUCN2020-1.png | range_map_caption = Range of A. ruthenus }} 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.Also known as 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. 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. Today, the majority of the international trade involves sterlets from aquaculture. Physical appearance The sterlet may reach 16 kg in weight and 100 to 125 cm in length, rarely exceeding a length of 90