The species of sturgeon has more than a dozen representatives. However, one of the most amazing is the fish spike. Indeed, according to the research of scientists, this marine creature appeared due to the union of other species. So, in the spike gene pool traces of sturgeon, beluga, and stellate sturgeon are traced.
Therefore, let's plunge into the wonderful world of nature and talk about what other secrets the fish thorn hides. We learn how it looks, where it lives and what it eats. And also try to understand why she was on the verge of extinction today.
Fish spike: description
Adults can reach two meters in length. But most representatives of this species are much smaller. The body itself is oblong, with pronounced, conical spikes on the back. In fact, it was thanks to them that this fish got its name.
The spike is noticeably different from its immediate family. For example, unlike other representatives of sturgeon, it has a fringed antennae attached to the lower lip. The thorn received this physiological feature from its ancestors, who had common roots with the sterlet.
As for the color scheme, it ranges from light gray to a greenish tint. But the belly of the fish is light, almost white. In addition, the spike is covered with star-shaped scales that are easily visible along the entire body.
Area
So where does the spike live? The fish feels equally good in both salt and fresh water. Therefore, its range extends for many kilometers, which is incredibly surprising for many scientists.
So, representatives of this species can be found in the Caspian, Aral, Azov and Black Sea, as well as in the basins of those rivers that adjoin these reservoirs. In particular, large spike populations live in the Urals, Kura and Sefidrud.
Spike - Longevity Fish
The life path of this fish begins in fresh waters. Therefore, with the advent of spring, adult individuals begin to migrate upstream of the river in order to reach their spawning grounds. Here they lay eggs, after which they return back to the sea.
Soon fry appear from the eggs. It should be noted that young animals are in no hurry to leave their native waters. A year will pass, and only then they will go to salt water, simultaneously gaining strength for life on the high seas. Many spikes will live for a long time at the mouth of the river, since it is very difficult for them to cross the last line.
As for the life cycle, the spike is a long-lived fish. On average, representatives of this species live about 20-22 years. However, science knows cases when these fish survived to thirty years, which is a good indicator for the inhabitants of the underwater kingdom.
Fish habits
Many people consider the thorn to be a slow-moving fish, but this is not entirely true. In truth, this creature simply does not like to make unnecessary movements and because of this prefers to lead a calm lifestyle. However, this does not mean that the spike is quiet and harmless. For example, on a hunt, he reacts incredibly quickly, without giving the victim the slightest chance of escape.
Red Book
Spike - a fish listed in the Red Book of Russia. It just so happened that at the beginning of the 20th century its catch was allowed, which greatly reduced the population of this species. So, by 1980, its number decreased by almost 80%, which worried scientists and environmentalists. Therefore, in 1983, a special decree was issued, according to which the spike was listed in the Red Book. Alas, these measures could not correct the current state of things.
Even today, the fish spike is on the verge of extinction. The reason is that the spike reaches puberty only by the twelfth year of its life. And because of this, many individuals die much earlier than they have time to give birth to the first offspring.