The Chinese Sturgeon Aquarium is situated on the
islet in Xiaoxita in Yichang. Built in 1982, the institute is using
artificial breeding techniques to try to preserve this endangered
species.
The Chinese sturgeon used to swim to the upper
reaches of the Yangzi to spawn then carried its fry back to the
lower reaches. The damming of the Yangzi has blocked the sturgeon’s
route.
The Chinese sturgeon has existed for 140 million
years and is thought to have lived at the same time as dinosaurs.
The fish can grow up to 4 meters (13ft) in length, weigh up to 500kg
and is the largest of all species of sturgeon
