How do the eggs and young of sturgeons develop?

To reproduce, most sturgeons migrate from the sea into rivers or toward the shores of freshwater lakes during the spring or summer. During this time, they deposit numerous small, sticky eggs in their spawning grounds.12

Following the hatching process, the young sturgeons exhibit rapid growth until they reach maturity. Once maturity is attained, their growth rate slows significantly, though they may continue to grow for several years thereafter. While the development of the young is generally characterized by this rapid early phase, it is important to note that many sturgeon species are currently critically endangered due to factors such as overfishing, water pollution, and the construction of dams that obstruct access to their vital spawning environments.12