Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus)

Scientific name: Scaphirhynchus albus Forbes & Richardson, 1905

The Pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) is a freshwater fish of the family Acipenseridae.

Biology

Inhabit large, deep, turbid river channels, usually in strong current over firm sand or gravel. Feed on aquatic insect immatures, particularly caddisfly larvae, and small fish. Threatened due to over harvesting and habitat loss. No length type given but assumed to be in TL.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Scaphirhynchus albus
Family: Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)
Order: Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons and Paddlefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 200
Common length: 81.7
Environment: Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous
Climate: Subtropical
Distribution: North America: nearly restricted to main channels of Missouri River and lower Mississippi River from Montana to Louisiana in USA. International trade restricted (CITES II, since 1.4.98).
Conservation status (IUCN): Endangered (EN) (A4ce)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=5-15; Fec=170,000, tmax=41(based on 1 specimen only))

Sources

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

Last updated 27 September 2026