In Russia, without exquisite dishes from sturgeon,did no royal feast. To the court of the rulers, the fish were delivered to troughs dug out of oak trunks, shifting it with a damp rag to deliver the tsar alive. For the most important festive tables, the powers were preparing a jellied and ear from sterlet, and huge sturgeon baked with vegetables was the main decoration of 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 of this fish is criticaldeclined, and it became 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 is in front of you.
What do biologists say?
Surprisingly, any guide to zoologycan 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 Sturgeons 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 largedimensions. This point will help to understand the difference between sturgeon and 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 photosbeluga? 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. When asked about the difference between sturgeon and sturgeon, you can safely answer: "First of all, 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 characteristica sign on which too it is possible to define, than the sturgeon sturgeon differs. 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, this is not a matter of character and not that fish's thoughts can be read by sight. This phenomenon is due solely to the peculiarities of the structure of the skull.
Color and structure of the body
Types of sturgeon include several species, verysimilar among themselves. 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 they have only 50 sturgeons. The sterlet spines are crowned with sharp spines. The sturgeon's body is smoother. In the next photo, this noble fish is clearly visible.
Lifestyle
Some sturgeon breeds some incrediblea 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 does not have a great love for travel, it also happens to swim in the lakes. She behaves there more cautiously than in her own river, she continues to hunt, but she will never spawn.
Caviar
You can distinguish these fish from each other and by theircaviar. Sterlet, as we already know, is relatively small, hence, there is less roe in it. It has a rich color, and granules the size of a bead. Slightly greenish sturgeon caviar is larger.
Meat
And do you know what distinguishes sturgeon from sturgeontaste? Sturgeon meat is dryish, its fat content is 15%. Sterlet meat is fatter, and the taste is more tender and delicate. Its fat content reaches 30%. Real gourmets believe that the sterlet is more delicious. Usually it is prepared from the ear and the 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.
