Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) fish species and information / pictures of Atlantic sturgeon - Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus

Common Name
Atlantic sturgeon

Biology
Inhabits shallow waters of continental shelf. Adults are highly migratory while at sea (Ref. 57533). At the sea, it occurs in coastal and estuarine areas on soft bottom. In freshwaters, it is found in estuaries and large rivers. Forages mainly in brackish waters (Ref. 59043). Ascends coastal rivers to spawn. Juveniles may remain in fresh or brackish water until 3-5 years of age or 76-91.5 cm long (Ref. 4639). Females take 8 to 30 years to reach sexual maturity and spawn only every 3-4 years. Exact time of spawning depends on temperature (Ref. 26938). Eggs demersal, measuring 2.55 mm in diameter and hatching in 1 week at 17.8?C (Ref. 9980). Used smoked and fresh (Ref. 37032). Near threatened globally, but extirpated in Europe due to massive overfishing, damming, river regulation and pollution (Ref. 59043).

Classification

Classified By
Mitchill, 1815
Class
Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)
Order
Sturgeons and Paddlefishes (Acipenseriformes)
Family
Sturgeons (Acipenseridae)

Distribution

Region
Western Atlantic
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Hamilton River, Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada to northeastern Florida, USA. Occurs occasionally in Bermuda and French Guiana (Ref. 7251). Northern Gulf of Mexico (Ref. 26938). In Europe: Baltic Sea. Landlocked populations in Lakes Ladoga and Onega (Russia), both now extirpated. Occasionally recorded from Great Britain and North Sea in Elbe drainage (Ref. 59043). Recent research revealed that this species existed in the Baltic Sea, but is now extirpated (Ref. 83384, 83385). Near threatened globally, but extirpated in Europe (Ref. 59043). International trade restricted (CITES II, since 28.6.79).
Range
56°N - 10°S, 102°W - 33°W

Environment

Climate
Subtropical
Water Temperature From
Unknown °C
Water Temperature To
Unknown °C
Depth From - meters
Unknown m
Depth To - meters
46 m
Zone
demersal
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range ? - 46 m (Ref. 4639)
Trophic Level
3.38 s.e. 0.50 Based on food items.
Occurs in Marine / Salt water
True
Occurs in Brackish water
True
Occurs in Fresh Water
True
Occurs on Reefs
False
Is kept in Aquariums
True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length
403 cm
Common Length
250 cm
Phylogenetic Diversity Index
PD50 = 0.5000 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Vulnerability
Very high vulnerability (86 of 100)
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.03; tm=7-34; tmax=60; Fec=1.03 million)
Threat To Humans
  Harmless
IUCN Red List Status