How to Identify Atlantic Sturgeon

To identify Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

elongated

Coloration

Dorsal surface typically olive-brown to bluish-black, fading to lighter sides and a white or yellowish-white ventral surface. Scutes are often lighter in color, sometimes yellowish or grayish.

Scale type

none

Mouth position

subterminal

Distinctive features

Five rows of prominent bony scutes (dorsal, lateral, and ventral) along the body., Heterocercal (shark-like) caudal fin., Four barbels located anterior to the mouth on the ventral side of the snout., Protrusible, toothless mouth located ventrally., Long, pointed snout (especially in juveniles, becoming blunter with age).

Dorsal fin

Single, located far back on the body, near the caudal fin. Relatively small.

Tail fin

Heterocercal, with the upper lobe significantly longer than the lower lobe.

Pectoral fin

Large and triangular, located just behind the operculum.

Distinctive fins

Pelvic fins are abdominal, located far back on the body. Anal fin is small and located posterior to the dorsal fin.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Scutes

   Count the number of scutes in each row. Atlantic Sturgeon typically have 9-16 dorsal scutes, 24-35 lateral scutes, and 8-14 ventral scutes. These are large and prominent.

2. 2

   Snout Shape

   The snout is conical and relatively long, especially in younger individuals. It becomes somewhat blunter with age but remains distinct from the shorter, blunter snout of the Shortnose Sturgeon.

3. 3

   Barbels

   Four smooth, unfrayed barbels are located in a transverse row closer to the tip of the snout than to the mouth. They are not fringed.

4. 4

   Mouth

   The mouth is protrusible and toothless, located ventrally. When retracted, it forms a distinct transverse slit.

5. 5

   Size

   Atlantic Sturgeon are much larger than Shortnose Sturgeon, reaching lengths of up to 4.6 meters (15 feet) and weights over 360 kg (800 lbs), though individuals over 2.5 meters are rare today. Shortnose Sturgeon rarely exceed 1.4 meters.

Explore Atlantic Sturgeon