Fish · GBIF taxon 2402122
White Sturgeon
Acipenser transmontanusAlso known as Pacific Sturgeon, Oregon Sturgeon, Columbia Sturgeon, Sacramento Sturgeon
White sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in North America, reaching lengths of over six meters and living for more than a century. These primitive, armor-plated giants use sensitive barbels under their snouts to locate prey along murky river bottoms and coastal estuaries. While historically abundant in major Pacific river basins, dam construction and overfishing have severely fragmented their spawning migrations.
PrehistoricAnadromousBottom Feeder
Licensed referenceOregon Department of Fish & Wildlife / CC BY-SA 2.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Clams
- Crabs
- Small Fish
Predators
- Sea Lions
- Orcas
- Humans
ThreatsDams blocking migration, habitat destruction, pollution, and historical overfishing
HabitatsLarge rivers, estuaries, bays, and coastal ocean waters
Life span80 to 100+ years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyAcipenseridae
- SpeciesAcipenser transmontanus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Enormous size and powerful thrashing can capsize small craft or injure handlers during angling.
- Why it is dangerous
- Massive physical size and sudden powerful movements can cause blunt impact injury or capsize small watercraft when hooked or startled.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by five rows of bony scutes along its greyish body, a broad shark-like tail, and four barbels in front of a toothless ventral mouth.
- What to do
- Never drag large fish onto dry ground or boats, maintain a firm hold in water, and release gently.
- What to notice
- Look for huge size, bony rows along the back and flanks, and an underslung mouth in large Pacific rivers.
- Support conservation
- Keep caught individuals completely in the water, unhook gently, and report tagged specimens to local wildlife agencies.
Responsible observation
- Observe Responsibly: Watch for large surface breaches near spawning grounds from a safe distance on shore or aboard sturdy vessels.
- Practice Safe Handling: Keep landed fish submerged in water at all times to avoid damaging their delicate internal organs.
- Respect Protected Waters: Adhere to regional fishing closures and reporting guidelines for tagged research individuals.
Kinship Unknown authorUnknown author / Public domain · cc0
Predator (c) Liam Steele, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Liam Steele · cc-by
Co-occurring Prey (c) Owen Strickland, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Owen Strickland · cc-by
Close Relative
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