Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus)

Scientific name: Scaphirhynchus platorynchus Rafinesque, 1820

The Shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) is a freshwater fish of the family Acipenseridae. In the aquarium it needs water at 10–20°C (50–68°F).

Shovelnose sturgeon care at a glance

Temperature: 10–20°C (50–68°F)

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), worms, and crustaceans. Spawning occurs from April to June in large rivers in areas of swift current and coarse substrates.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Scaphirhynchus platorynchus
Family: Acipenseridae (Sturgeons)
Order: Acipenseriformes (Sturgeons and Paddlefishes)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 100.0
Common length: 72.0
Environment: Freshwater; demersal; potamodromous
Climate: Temperate
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. International trade restricted (CITES II, since 1.4.98).
Conservation status (IUCN): Vulnerable (VU) (A3d+4ac)
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Gamefish: yes; aquarium: public aquariums
Resilience: Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (tm=5; tmax=37-43; K=0.13)