White sturgeon

4803 white sturgeon swart odfw (4455050144)

White sturgeon (91 inches) Russian River's Haciendo Hole 1998

White Sturgeon Monterey Bay Aquarium

Acipenser transmontanus

White sturgeon farming california

White Sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) is a species of sturgeon in the family Acipenseridae native to rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters along the west coast of North America from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska down to Central California. It is the largest freshwater fish in North America and among the largest sturgeon species in the world.

Description

The White Sturgeon is known for its size, with mature individuals commonly reaching lengths of 7 to 12 feet (2.1 to 3.7 meters) and can weigh over 1,500 pounds (680 kg). They have a distinctive appearance with a long, slender body, a flattened nose, and rows of bony plates or scutes along their sides and back. Their coloration ranges from gray to olive green, with a white underbelly.

Habitat and Distribution

White Sturgeon inhabit large river and estuary systems, moving between freshwater and saltwater environments throughout their life cycle. They are primarily found in the Columbia River, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River system, and the Fraser River. These fish prefer deep, slow-moving waters with sandy or muddy bottoms where they can search for their prey.

Diet

The diet of the White Sturgeon consists mainly of fish, but they also consume aquatic invertebrates, including mollusks and crustaceans. They are bottom-feeders, using their sensitive barbels to detect prey in the murky waters of their habitats.

Reproduction

White Sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they migrate from saltwater to freshwater to spawn. They have a late maturity age, often not breeding until they are 15 to 20 years old. Spawning occurs in the spring and early summer, with females laying millions of eggs in fast-flowing waters. The survival rate of larvae is low, contributing to the species' slow population growth.

Conservation Status

The White Sturgeon is considered to be a species of least concern by the IUCN, but its populations are subject to various threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and overfishing. Conservation efforts are in place to monitor populations, regulate fishing, and restore habitats to ensure the species' long-term survival.

Cultural and Economic Importance

White Sturgeon has significant cultural importance to many indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, who have historically relied on the fish as a food source. Economically, the species is valued for its meat and roe, the latter being processed into a high-quality caviar. However, due to concerns over sustainability, commercial fishing for White Sturgeon is heavily regulated.

See Also

• Sturgeon
• Columbia River
• Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta