Weight-length relationships and condition factors for Sturgeon fish species from the Southeastern Caspian Sea, Iranian waters

Sturgeons are among the most endangered fish species in the worldwide. Length and weight descriptive statistics are reported for 5 sturgeon species caught off the Caspian Sea during a 2 year survey (2009-2010). During sampling, 609 fish were individually measured and weighed. The data reported in this study were collected by two different types of fishing gears: fixed gillnet with different specify mesh size range and beach seine. The sample size ranged from 35cm for Acipenser nudiventris to 361cm for Huso huso. The b value ranged between 2.780 for Acipenser stellatus and 2.972 for Acipenser nudiventris. The coefficient of determination (r2) was very significant for all the species. To the authors’ knowledge, all weight-length relationships presented in this paper is reported for the first time from the South of Caspian Sea, and in the case of Acipenser persicus is the first references worldwide.