Acipenser oxyrinchus Mitchill, 1815

Taxonomy and Naming

The Atlantic sturgeon, scientifically named Acipenser oxyrinchus, is a large sturgeon species in the family Acipenseridae, native to both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and its connected river basins.

Evolutionary Status

Like other sturgeon, it is sometimes considered a living fossil.

North American Range

Its main range lies along eastern North America, stretching from New Brunswick, Canada, down to the eastern coast of Florida, United States.

Baltic Population Status

A small, highly endangered separated population exists in Europe’s Baltic region, which today survives only through an ongoing reintroduction project.

Historical Abundance

When European settlers first arrived in North America, Atlantic sturgeon were extremely abundant.

Population Decline Causes

Populations have since declined sharply due to overfishing, water pollution, and barriers to habitat such as dams.

Current Conservation Status

Currently, the species is classified as threatened or endangered across much of its original range, and is even locally extinct in many former habitats.

Adult Size and Lifespan

Adult Atlantic sturgeon can live up to 60 years, reach 15 feet (4.6 meters) in length, and weigh over 800 pounds (360 kilograms).

Juvenile Habitat

Young Atlantic sturgeon under six years old remain in the brackish water of their birth habitat before moving out into the ocean.

Juvenile Size

At this juvenile stage, they typically measure between 3 and 5 feet (0.91 to 1.52 meters) long.

Species Identification Confusion

In regions where both Atlantic sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon live, adult shortnose sturgeon have been confused with immature Atlantic sturgeon for centuries, and this confusion still occurs today.

Spawning Migration

Once mature, Atlantic sturgeon travel upstream into rivers to spawn.

Female Spawning Traits

In a single spawning year, a female can lay between 800,000 and 3.75 million eggs, and females only spawn once every two to six years.

Post-Spawning Female Behavior

After spawning, females immediately travel back downstream.

Post-Spawning Male Behavior

Males may stay upstream after spawning until falling water temperatures force them to return downstream, and eventually move back to the ocean to stay near the coast.

Leaping Behavior Description

Atlantic sturgeon are known for their occasional leaping behavior, where the fish launches itself fully out of the water with great force.

Leaping Hazard

This leap can be dangerous to any person or object that happens to be in its path.

Leaping Purpose Hypothesis

The exact reason for this leaping is still unknown, though some researchers hypothesize that it acts as a form of group communication.