Acipenser oxyrinchus

fish

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July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

Acipenser oxyrinchus, commonly known as the Atlantic sturgeon, is a species of fish belonging to the family Acipenseridae. These ancient fish, related to paddlefish, have a history dating back to the Jurassic Period.12

Atlantic sturgeons are characterized by their bony plates, called scutes, and a long, V-shaped snout. They possess a toothless mouth on the underside of their snout, equipped with barbels used to find food like invertebrates and small fish on the riverbed.12

While they spend most of their lives in coastal ocean waters, Atlantic sturgeons migrate into large rivers to spawn. They are known for their impressive size, with some individuals reaching up to 12 feet in length and weighing as much as 800 pounds. Historically, they were so abundant in some rivers that they were nicknamed \"Albany beef\".12

Unfortunately, many sturgeon species, including the Atlantic sturgeon, are now considered critically endangered due to overfishing and habitat degradation.1

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chondrostean
Distribution
A closely related form (A. oxyrinchus) is found along the east coast of North America from the St. Lawrence River to the Gulf of Mexico. The Baikal sturgeon (A. baerii) occurs in Lake Baikal and in nearby regions of Russia (Siberia), China, and Kazakhstan. A
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A closely related form (A. oxyrinchus) is found along the east coast of North America from the St. Lawrence River to the Gulf of Mexico. The Baikal sturgeon (A. baerii) occurs in Lake Baikal and in nearby regions of Russia (Siberia), China, and Kazakhstan. A
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sturgeon
Distribution
…considered a separate species (A. oxyrhynchus) by some authorities, occurs along the east coast of North America. The length of these fishes is generally to about 3 metres (10 feet); their weight can reach about 227 kg (500 pounds).
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…considered a separate species (A. oxyrhynchus) by some authorities, occurs along the east coast of North America. The length of these fishes is generally to about 3 metres (10 feet); their weight can reach about 227 kg (500 pounds).
Read More