noun
sterlet
A species of sturgeon (Acipenser ruthenus). Used in biological and culinary contexts.
カワリチョウザメはチョウザメ科の淡水魚です。
The sterlet is a freshwater fish of the sturgeon family.
チョウザメ is the general term for sturgeon, while カワリチョウザメ refers specifically to the sterlet species.
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.