Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) fish species and information / pictures of Shovelnose sturgeon - Scaphirhynchus platorynchus

Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Scaphirhynchus platorynchus

Common Name
Shovelnose sturgeon

Biology
Occurs in the bottom of main channels and embayments of large turbid rivers; frequently in flowing water over sand and mixed with gravel and mud. Feeds primarily on larvae of aquatic insects (especially burrowing mayflies, caddis larvae and midge larvae (Ref. 10294)), worms, and crustaceans (Ref. 50937). Spawning occurs from April to June in large rivers in areas of swift current and coarse substrates (Ref. 10294).

Classification

Classified By

Rafinesque, 1820

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Sturgeons and Paddlefishes (Acipenseriformes)

Family

Sturgeons (Acipenseridae)

Distribution

Region

North America

Distribution

North America: USA in Mississippi River basin from west Pennsylvania to Montana and south to Louisiana; Mobile Bay drainage, Alabama and Mississippi; upper Rio Grande, New Mexico. Considered endangered (Ref. 6866). International trade restricted (CITES II, since 1.4.98).

Range

50°N - 30°N

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

10 °C

Water Temperature To

20 °C

Depth From - meters

Unknown m

Depth To - meters

Unknown m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous (Ref. 51243)

Trophic Level

3.1 s.e. 0.40 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

False

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

100.0 cm

Common Length

72.0 cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.6250 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums

Vulnerability

High vulnerability (60 of 100)

Resilience

Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=5; tmax=37-43; K=0.13)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Vulnerable (VU) (A3d+4ac)