 | ||||||||||||||||
  |
| |||||||||||||||
 Shortnose Sturgeon Common Names - Shortnose sturgeon Description - Sturgeon are primitivefishes, with a heterocercal tail (the upper lobe is much longer than the lower lobe) like many sharks. The body is covered with 5 rows of large bony plates. These fish have a tube-like mouth located on the underside of the head. The mouth protrudes several inches when the fish is feeding. Shortnose sturgeon range in color from grayish-olive to brownish above, shading to white on the belly. Shortnose sturgeon have wider mouths (inside the lips; the width is greater than 60 percent of the distance between the eyes, while Atlantic sturgeon have small mouths that measure 50 percent or less) and the snout is more U-shaped in the shortnose than in the Atlantic. Subspecies - None. Range - Shortnose sturgeon are restricted to the east coast of North America, from the St. John River in Canada, to the Indian River in Florida. Habitat - Spawning Habits - Shortnose sturgeon have very specific spawning requirements. All spawning occurs in fresh water within a 1- to 2-week period during spring. If environmental conditions are not acceptable, shortnose sturgeon will not spawn, resorbing their eggs and milt (sperm). Females only spawn every 3 to 5 years after reaching sexual maturity at age 8 to 12. Males may spawn every year after reaching age 6 to 10. Feeding Habits - Bottom feeders using their barbels to sense worms and mollusks, and protrudable mouth to suck them up. Age and Growth - The largest recorded shortnose sturgeon, a female weighing over 90 pounds, was captured in the St. John River in Canada Sporting Qualities - None Eating Quality - Rarely used compared to the Atlantic and Beluga | |
Our mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
|
|
