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
USS Sterlet (SS-392) gun. On 31 October, she made a night surface attack on a tanker previously damaged by and apparently sank it with a spread of six torpedoes. "Sterlet" then joined "Trigger" in escorting the damaged into Saipan. From there, "Sterlet" put to sea on 10 November with six other submarines in a coordinated attack group. On the night of 15 November, she, "Trigger", and engaged in a gun duel with an enemy sub chaser. "Sterlet" completely depleted her supply of five-inch (127 mm) shells in the battle and was forced to sink the enemy craft with torpedoes early the following morning.