Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus)

Scientific name: Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus Mitchill, 1815

Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus)

The Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) is a freshwater fish of the family Acipenseridae.

Biology

Inhabits shallow waters of continental shelf. Adults are highly migratory while at sea. 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. 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. Females take 8 to 30 years to reach sexual maturity and spawn only every 3-4 years. Exact time of spawning depends on temperature. Eggs demersal, measuring 2.55 mm in diameter and hatching in 1 week at 17.8?C. Used smoked and fresh. Near threatened globally, but extirpated in Europe due to massive overfishing, damming, river regulation and pollution.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name
Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus
Family
Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)
Order
Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons and Paddlefishes)
Class
Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length
403
Common length
250
Depth range
46 m (151 ft)
Environment
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous; depth range ? - 46 m
Climate
Subtropical
Distribution
Western Atlantic: Hamilton River, Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada to northeastern Florida, USA. Occurs occasionally in Bermuda and French Guiana. Northern Gulf of Mexico. 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. Recent research revealed that this species existed in the Baltic Sea, but is now extirpated. Near threatened globally, but extirpated in Europe. International trade restricted (CITES II, since 28.6.79).
Threat to humans
Harmless
Uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience
Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (K=0.03; tm=7-34; tmax=60; Fec=1.03 million)

More other freshwater fish

See all other freshwater fish

Sources

Taxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

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