The Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii Brandt 1869 is the most widely farmed sturgeon species.
Continuing from Volume 1 which focuses on the biology of the species the present Volume 2 in
turn examines farming aspects. It is divided into six parts the first of which deals with
reproduction and early ontogenesis i.e. reproductive cycles controlled reproduction sperm
cryoconservation and weaning of larvae. The second covers the growing phase with a focus on
food and feeding (management fish meal replacement potential endocrine disruptions
usefulness of prebiotics and immunostimulants and nitrogen excretion). Production-related data
are the focus of the third part and include: characteristics (countries structures of
production evolution in production economic features) of the gross production of the species
(meat and caviar) worldwide a method for assessing the quality of caviars off-flavors
management and an example of production of fingerlings for restocking. Part four addresses
selected long-term management issues: genetic variability of brood stocks genome manipulation
and sex control and the advantages of hybrids. The next three chapters constitute the fifth
part which is devoted to health status (immunology and welfare). In closing the absence of
ecological risks of introducing the species in non-native waters is shown using two long-term
documented examples (Russia and France). Three methodological chapters round out the volume
covering: in vitro incubation of ovarian follicles a richly illustrated library of
echographies and photos and a detailed presentation of oxygen demand studies.
