Sturgeons are considered to be among the oldest and most primitive of living fishes. They are represented in the fossil record dating back 175 million years, and are still found in most of the major river systems of the northern hemisphere. They have been the subject of fisheries dating back over 5,500 years, and are no less popular today. Their flesh is firm and good tasting and abouve all, they are the source of caviar, often said to be worth its weight in gold to the connoisseur. Most if not all modern species are either threatened or endangered because of environmental degradation or overfishing or both. Over the past 130 years technology and skills have been developed to cultivate several species, and so reduce pressure on wild populations and in some cases help conserve or restore them. Many are actively cultivated today so this new book by Martin Hochleithner and Jörn Gessner is therefore timely.
The first few pages of the book contain a general introduction to the order Acipenseriformes (which includes the true sturgeons and the paddlefishes) describing their morphology and anatomy, their ecology, and systematics. There is a brief description of a couple of extinct fossil species and some living hybrids, followed by diagnostic keys which should enable anyone to identify any sturgeon or paddlefish that they might encounter. Then all of the 24 modern species are described in detail (in alphabetical order), including their morphology, distribution, ecology, life cycle, and economy. The differences and similarities among the various species make for fascinating reading. Sturgeon for the most part are big fish. Some, like mature Atlantic sturgeon, may reach 6 m in length and weigh over 600 kg. Belouga sturgeons reach 8 m in length and weigh up to 800 kg. Other species such as the shortnose sturgeon barely exceed a meter in length, but all have been subject to intense fisheries. In spite of their often large sizes sturgeons mostly eat small prey; molluscs, worms, small crustaceans, etc, and relatively small fish living in or on the bottoms of the lakes, rivers, estuaries, and costal areas which they frequent. In addition to the general descriptions, each species is photographed and maps of their distribution are given.
Rather more than half the book is devoted to the culture of sturgeons and paddlefish, and this perhaps is where its principal value lies. As near as I can see everything is covered from capture of wild broodstock to the marketing of product. Much of the pioneer work on sturgeon culture was conducted in formes Soviet countries, but in the last decade there has been much development elsewhere in the world, based on this earlier experience. The book is comprehensive in this regard, detailing the capture, selection and conditioning of brood stock, induction and synchronization of spawning using hormones, collection of eggs and sperm, and so on through to hatching and the culture of larvae. There is discussion on the value of having a captive developed brood stock, but nothing on the problems of accessing wild stocks in nations where strict conservation regulations are already in place. There is a pomprehensive section on grow-out drawing heavily on experiences aroung the world (North America, Europe, Asia), and a section on diseases. There is discussion on modern fisheries and fisheries management and a section on processing and marketing, including descriptions of smoking (a favoured product) and the preparation of caviar. There is a short but useful bibliography. A full sturgeon bibliography is also available.
The book is soft bound, pocket size, with photographs, maps and diagrams in black and white. The text is translated from the German (by Jörn Gessner) but unfortunately contains a number of grammatical inexactudes and spelling errors. While regrettable in such a thoroughly researched book, these do not result in any serious likelihood of misunderstanding. It will be a valuable addition to any aquaculturist library. (David Scarratt)

Additional reports in:
World Aquaculture (12/2001); The Sturgeon Newsletter (1+2/1996-1997); etc.

AquaTech launches four new fish books
Kitzbuehel, Austria AquaTech Publications has announced the publication of four more books in their series on important fish. The first, dealing with Sturgeons and Paddlefish, was published in English and reviewed by Hatchery International Jan 2002. The four new titles deal with the Salmonidae, (salmon, trout and coregonids) Esocidae (pikes and pickerel) Percidae (perches) and the Siluridae (old world catfish).
Each volume gives a general description of the Order or Family, together with detailed information on the reproduction and culture of the individual species. It is designed to close the information gap between scientists and practitioners and summarize the current cnowledge on all extant species worldwide into a practitioner-oriented working guide. Each includes details of more than a decade's worth practical experience and research data of Martin Hochleithner, the author.
The books are hardback and illustrated with colour pictures, graphs and tables. Each follows a set pattern of four parts:

• An introduction, with gross morphology, general ecology, systematics (including the hybrids), and a key to all the species.
• Detailed description of all known species, including their distribution, autecology, and economic importance.
• A section on aquaculture including broodstock management, handling, artificial propagation, incubation techniques, feeding and ongrowing strategies, pond management, and intensive production.
• An overview of fisheries techniques, stock management, processing and products.

Each book concludes with several annexes, including descriptions of egg and larval development, diseases and parasites, as well as synonyms for the species, and a bibliography. Regrettably, all except the book on sturgeons are published in German only, and the company does not have plans at this point for an English translation.
The books on Salmonids, Pikes and Pickerel, and Perches, were published in 2005, and that on Catfish early 2006. Note that the catfish book deals "only" with the family Siluridae (about 100 species worldwide) but not with the Ictalurids which are important in the US. Ex-work prices are: Acipenseriformes EUR 35.-, Salmoniformes EUR 40.-, Esociformes EUR 30.-, Percidae EUR 35.-, Siluridae EUR 30,-.
For more information contact AquaTech Publications: Tel + Fax: +43 5356 64870, e-mail: aquatech@a1.net, web: www.aqua-tech.eu

More reports in:
Fischer & Teichwirt, Fisch & Gewässer, Fischen & Natur, Jagd & Fischerei, Fisch & Fang, Petri Heil, AngelHaken, Fischmagazin, Zeitschrift für Fischkunde, etc.

The Sturgeons and Paddlefishes of the World
3rd Edition. 248 pp.
By Martin Hochleithner and Jörn Gessner
AquaTech Publications, Kitzbühel, Austria
Review by David Scarratt

More than a decade has passed since the previous edition of this work was published, and in that time much more has been learned about the biology of sturgeons and paddlefish and their culture. Unfortunately since then the status of natural populations has declined still further, and all species are now listed in either Appendix I or II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
The book is divided into four parts. The first general section deals with the basic biology of the species, their morphology, ecology, hybridization and systematics, and includes a detailed identification key. Then come detailed descriptions of all 23 species of Acipenseridae, and the two species of Polyodontidae, including their morphology, natural distrbution, eclogy, and economy. The latter including details of the depletion of natural stocks due to overfishing and environmental changes, and the development of captive breeding techniqies, and transfers of fish outside their natural range. The third, and perhaps most detailed part of te book deals with sturgeon and paddlefish culture. This starts with detailed descriptions of how wild fish are captured and handled, then reared and bred in captivity; how sex and ripness can be determined, maturation inducement by hormone treatment, collection of gametes, and so on through fertilization, incubation and the different systems in which sturgeons can be raised in ponds, tanks, cages, and recirc systems. There is, understandably for a book produced in Europe, somewhat more emphasis on European and Asian species than on North American, but the detail for the most part is comprehensive. This section also includes details on the management of growout systemms, feeding of fish, transporting them, maintainingfish health, etc., but also includes a significant discussion on the traditional fisheries - now largely illegal or collapsed - where the traditional fishing techniques are described in detail, and how they evolved and were managed in the light of declining population size, and the progressive loss of larger fish. The current threats to wild populations and stock management policies are described, as well as restoration effords. In this sence, North America seems to be in somewhat better shape than Europe and Asia. There is a comprehensive appendix, which includes details of embryonic and larval development, and illustrated descriptions of the more common prey organisms. There are lists of common parasites and diseases, and for those keen to know, lists of thescientific synonyms by which each species has been known. This reviewed version of the book is a translation from German,and while is has been edited quite thoroughly, some of the grammar and spelling are a bit unusual; nevertheless it is eminently readable and an extremely valuable compendium of invormation. It is profusely illustrated with colour photoraphs, line drawings, maps of species distribution, graphs of harvest trends, etc., and tables.
A companion volume, The bibliography of Acipenseriformes is a 512-page tome that includes over 10-thousand references listed alphabetically and chronologically by author, and cross-indexes to species. It fills many of the holes left in earlier biblopraphies. The Sturgeon book is available in paperback from Amazon in US, and should be available from other US bookstores and many international internet bookshops. Hardcover and CD-ROM versions (the latter fully searchable) are only available from the publisher: www.aqua-tech.eu. The normal selling prices are: Sturgeon book, paperback US$ 50,- hardcover; Bibliography, paperback US$ 90,- CD-ROM.

Aquaculture Europe, 37 (3): 36.

The Sturgeons and Paddlefishes of the World: Biology and Aquaculture
By Martin Hochleithner and Jörn Gessner
An extended, updated and reviewed third edition. 248 pages. Paperback, ISBN: 978-1470086077

The breeding and culture of sturgeons and paddlefishes (Acipenseriformes) in captivity has advanced rapidly over the past several years. With recent developments, the requirements of the industry have changed, and the techniques used have also evolved and been adapted to meet these changing needs. Based on experience gained in the the former USSR, new technologies have been developed, and the background of sturgeon biology has been enlightened in many respects. This compendium is designed to close the information gap between scientists and practitioners. Its appeal will be far reaching since biologists, field technicians, hatchery operators and fish farmers, fisherman and fish enthusiasts, will all find a wealth of practical information relevant to their field of interest. The book has the style of a species synopsis coupled with everything anyone needs to know about the reproduction and culture of acipenserid fishes. It summarizes current knowledge on all sturgeon and paddlefish species worldwide and presents it as a practitioner-oriented working guide. It draws on the experience and research findings of the authors gained over more than two decades. The new, third edition has been updated, extended, and reviewed, and includes many new colour illustrations. It value will be timeless. The book is structured into four sections, comprising:

• An introduction, with gross morphology, general ecology, systematics of sturgeons, and the sturgeon hybrids, as well as a reviesed key to the species.
• A species section, with detailed description of all known species worldwide including their description, their distribution, their ecology, and their economy.
• An aquaculture section, including the different methods of handling, propagation, incubation, feeding, management of tanks, ponds and cages. As well as an overview on fisheries techniques, stock management, product processing.
• An annex, including sturgeon egg and larval development, parasites and prey organisms as well as international names and synonyms for the species.

The Bibliography of Acipenseriformes: with over 10000 References
The most important and comprehensive bibliography about sturgeon fishes. 512 pages. Paperback, ISBN: 978-1468038460
By Martin Hochleithner, Jörn Gessner and Sergey Podushka

This bibliography, which covers all Acipenseriforms and a range of topics, is intended to serve as a ready reference for researchers, fisheries managers, aquaculturists and conservationists who work with this ancient fish group. It is the most important and comprehensive bibliography about Acipenseriformes, and includes nearly all publications from around the world. The numerous references are listed alphabetically by author(s) and chronologically by year(s), as the original title. They are cross-indexed to species and headings. Almost all sturgeon- and paddlefish species are threatened or endangered. Information on them is by no means complete, whether in fields related to sturgeon culture, biology, ecology or management. Due to the current rate of wild-stock exploitation and environmental degradiation, the availability of new information might prove crucial for their survival. This is an attempt to disseminate information about work carried out to date, and to increase its availability.