Other freshwater fish

Common sturgeon

The common sturgeon is instantly recognisable by its bony armour and prehistoric-type appearance. A fish can live up to 50 years and may grow to more than 3m in length and over 200kg in weight.

This species is one of Europe’s most threatened fish. Common sturgeon were once heavily exploited within Europe, both for their roe (for caviar) and their flesh. Any sturgeon captured in British waters must be offered to the reigning monarch.

The common sturgeon is native to much of Western Europe as well as to the Mediterranean Sea, Baltic Sea and Black Sea. The common sturgeon is known to spawn in large rivers, but has never been known to reproduce in British waters. It remains the only sturgeon species to have been caught here.

The common sturgeon is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, and is a European Protected Species (it is listed in Annex IV of the Habitats Directive.

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) considers the common sturgeon to be critically endangered. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) regulates trade in this species.

European grayling

Though present in Scotland for about 150 years, this species is only truly native to England and possibly parts of Wales.

The European grayling is typically found in rivers that support brown trout and have similar habitat quality requirements. Yet they are also found in at least two standing waters, one in England and the other in Wales.

Grayling attract much attention from both scientists and anglers. The Grayling Society supports some research.

This species is protected from over-exploitation at a European level through its inclusion in Annex V of the Habitats Directive and Appendix III of the Bern Convention.

Find out more

Read our guidance for planners and developers on protected animals.