Animal Profiles
Fish

Sturgeon

Acipenseridae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Sturgeons are elongated fishes with rows of bony plates. This account describes the white sturgeon of western North America, a bottom-feeding species whose populations can differ in access to the sea.

White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), the representative described here.

White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), the representative described here.

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Acipenser transmontanus is the representative used here. Large Pacific-slope rivers, estuaries and coastal waters provide habitat. Some populations spend much or all of their lives in fresh water, including waters isolated by barriers.
Habitat
Rivers and lakes, Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Young fish consume worms, molluscs, crustaceans and eggs; larger animals also take fishes.

Classification

Common name
Sturgeon
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Acipenseridae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Acipenseriformes
Family
Acipenseridae
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It has five rows of scutes.
  • Barbels help it find food.
  • Some populations remain in fresh water.

Habitat and range

Acipenser transmontanus is the representative used here. Large Pacific-slope rivers, estuaries and coastal waters provide habitat. Some populations spend much or all of their lives in fresh water, including waters isolated by barriers.

Appearance and adaptations

Five rows of bony scutes run along the body. Barbels lie in front of a downward-facing mouth. Adults lack teeth and use the mouth to take food from the bottom.

Diet and behaviour

Young fish consume worms, molluscs, crustaceans and eggs; larger animals also take fishes. River movements connect feeding and spawning areas. Dams can change those movements and separate populations.

Sources

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