White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) fish species and information / pictures of White sturgeon - Acipenser transmontanus

White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) fish species information

Scientific Name
Acipenser transmontanus

Common Name
White sturgeon

Biology
Spends most of its time in the sea, usually close to shore (Ref. 27547). Enters estuaries of large rivers and moves far inland to spawn (Ref. 5723). Individuals larger than 48.3 cm feed mainly on fishes; smaller ones feed mainly on chironomids, but also takes small crustaceans, other insects and mollusks (Ref. 1998). Feeding ceases just before spawning (Ref. 1998). Excellent food fish that is sold fresh, smoked or frozen (Ref. 9988). Eggs marketed as caviar (Ref. 1998). In the past, the airbladder was made into isinglass (Ref. 27547).

Classification

Classified By

Richardson, 1836

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Sturgeons and Paddlefishes (Acipenseriformes)

Family

Sturgeons (Acipenseridae)

Distribution

Region

Eastern Pacific

Distribution

Eastern Pacific: Alaska Bay to Monterey, California, USA. Landlocked in Columbia River drainage, Montana, and perhaps Lake Shasta in California, USA. Translocated to lower Colorado River, Arizona in USA. Reported from northern Baja California, Mexico (Ref. 2850, 27436). Considered vulnerable in Canada (Ref. 6866). International trade restricted (CITES II, since 1.4.98).

Range

58°N - 24°N, 163°W - 107°W

Environment

Climate

Temperate

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

23 °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

122 m

Zone

demersal

Environment

Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous (Ref. 51243); depth range 1 - 122 m (Ref. 27547)

Trophic Level

3.22 s.e. 0.44 Based on diet studies.

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

True

Occurs in Fresh Water

True

Occurs on Reefs

False

Is kept in Aquariums

False

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

610 cm

Common Length

21.0 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; aquaculture: commercial; gamefish: yes

Vulnerability

Very high vulnerability (87 of 100)

Resilience

Very Low, minimum population doubling time more than 14 years (tm=11-34; tmax=104)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Least Concern (LC)