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