sterlet
A species of sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus). Used in biological and culinary contexts.
The sterlet is a freshwater fish of the sturgeon family.
Katakana spelling is standard for this fish name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling exists but is rarely used; the fish is almost always written in kana.
The name likely derives from 変わり (kawari, 'different' or 'variant') + 蝶鮫 (chōzame, 'sturgeon'), referring to a distinct type of sturgeon. The exact origin is uncertain.