Ossetra genitive case form "осетра" (osetra, 'of sturgeon') of the Russian word "осётр" (osyotr 'sturgeon') from the phrase "икра осетра" (ikra osetra, 'caviar of sturgeon'). At one time, the term "ossetra" simply referred to Russian sturgeon species harvested for this type of caviar. In Russian, there are different names for the species of sturgeon that live in various territories such as "Beluga" ("Huso huso"), Sevruga ("Acipenser stellatus") and Sterlet ("Acipenser ruthenus"). The name Ossetra corresponds to the species "Acipenser gueldenstaedtii", which is much smaller than Beluga sturgeon ("Huso huso"), and has a firmer texture. In the territory of the Russian Federation
Sterlet become self-sustaining. Today, the majority of the international trade involves sterlets from aquaculture. The sterlet's main source of food is benthic organisms; they commonly feed on crustaceans, worms, and insect larvae. The sterlet commonly reaches the age of 22 to 25 years. Males reach sexual maturity at 3–7 years old and females at 4–12 years old. Spawning occurs from the middle of April to the beginning of June. Females may lay from 15,000–44,000 eggs, at water temperatures preferably 12–17 °C (54–63 °F). Sterlets require relatively large ponds with good water conditions, and may get entangled in plants such as blanketweed.