{{Speciesbox | image = Acipenser sturio 1879.jpg | image_caption = Acipenser sturio | name = European sturgeon | status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = | status2 = CITES_A1 | status2_system = CITES | status2_ref = | taxon = Acipenser sturio | authority = Linnaeus, 1758 | synonyms_ref= | synonyms = {{collapsible list|bullets = true|title=List | Acipenser attilus Rafinesque 1820 corrig. Gray 1851 | Acipenser latirostris Parnell 1831-37 | Acipenser hospitus Krøyer 1852 | Acipenser thompsonii Ball 1856 | Acipenser sturioides Malm 1861 | Acipenser yarrellii Duméril 1867 | Acipenser (Huso) milberti Duméril 1870 | Acipenser (Huso) fitzingerii Valenciennes ex Duméril 1870 | Acipenser (Huso) ducissae Duméril 1870 | Acipenser (Huso) nehelae Duméril 1870 | Acipenser (Huso) podapos Duméril 1870 | Acipenser (Huso) valenciennii Duméril 1870 | Acipenser laevissimus <small>Valenciennes ex Duméril 1870 | Acipenser europaeus Brusina 1902 | Acipenser shipus Güldenstädt 1772 non Lovetzky 1834 | Antacea shipa (Güldenstadt 1772) | Antaceus shipus (Güldenstadt 1772) | Shipa shipa (Güldenstädt 1772) | Sturio vulgaris Rafinesque 1810 | Acipenser vulgaris (Rafinesque 1810) Billberg 1833 | Acipenser atlanticus Rafinesque 1820 corrig. }} }} The European sea sturgeon (Acipenser sturio), also known as the Atlantic sturgeon or common sturgeon, is a species of sturgeon native to Europe. It was formerly abundant, being found in coastal habitats all over Europe. It is anadromous and breeds in rivers. It is currently a critically endangered species. Although the name Baltic sturgeon sometimes has been used, it has now been established that sturgeon of the Baltic region are A. oxyrinchus'', a species otherwise restricted to the Atlantic coast of North America. Description The wedge-shaped head of the European sea sturgeon ends in a long point. There are many sensitive barbels on the facial area. The dorsal fins are located very far back on the body. Five longitudinal lines of large osseous plates are found on the body of the fish. The stomach is yellow and the back is a brownish grey. This sturgeon can reach and in weight, but a more common length is .They can reach an age of 100 years, and have a late sexual maturity (12 to 14 years for the males and 16 to 18 years for the females). Distribution and habitat They are found on the coasts of Europe, except in the northernmost regions and the Baltic region, and have rarely even been known to cross the Atlantic Ocean