LAKE
STURGEON
(
Acipenser flavescens )
Acipenseridae
Family :
Sturgeons
are large ancient fished with cartilaginous skeletons
heterocercal tail, spiral valve. A total of 23 species survive today.
All of
them enter fresh water, at least to spawn, but some species spend
most of
their lives in the ocean. The greatest diversity occurs in Europe,
with
fewer species in Asia and North America.
Sturgeons
are easily recognized by the shovel-shaped snout, large fleshy
barbels, ventrally located mouth, and large bony scutes on the head
and
along the back and side. Sturgeons are large fishes (up to 3-30 ft.)
that are
commercially important, both for their flesh and for their ripe eggs
(caviar). Unfortunately, populations of sturgeons have been depleted
badly in the United States as a result of overharvesting and the
detrimental effects of dams and pollution.
Identification:
Similar to Shortnose Sturgeon but anal fin origin is behind
dorsal fin origin; caudal peduncle longer, tip of anal fin reaching
only to
anterior edge of fulcral scute; olive-brown to gray above and on side;
scutes on back and along side same color as skin; white below; dark
gray
or brown fins. 25-30 anal rays; 25-40, usually 32-32, gill rakers;
9-17 scutes
on back; 29-42 scutes along side. To 9 ft.
Habitat:
Bottom of lakes and large rivers, usually those 16-30 ft. in depth,
over mud, sand, and gravel. Occasionally enter brackish water in Hudson
Bay and Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Range:
St. Lawrence-Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and Mississippi River
basins from QU to AB and south to AL and LA; Coosa River system, AL.
Rare and nearing extinction in Coosa, Missouri, Ohio, and middle
Mississippi drainages; more common at northern latitudes.
Similar
species: Shortnose Sturgeon and Green Sturgeon.
Peterson's
Field Guide
