Shortnose Sturgeon

The shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) is a small anadromous fish endemic to river systems along the Atlantic coast of North America, ranging from Canada's Maritime provinces to Florida. A member of the family Acipenseridae, it is federally listed as an endangered species throughout its range in the United States. Compared to its larger relative, the Atlantic sturgeon, it stays closer to river and estuary habitat and reaches a much smaller adult size. Populations remain fragmented across separate river systems, and conservation efforts focus on protecting spawning habitat and maintaining water quality in coastal rivers.

Shortnose sturgeon can be recognized by these traits:

• Short, blunt, rounded snout, notably shorter than in Atlantic sturgeon
• Small adult body size, rarely exceeding 90 cm
• Wide mouth with four barbels positioned ahead of it
• Dark olive-brown to blackish dorsal coloration
• Five rows of bony scutes typical of sturgeons Its compact size and stubby snout distinguish it from young Atlantic sturgeon, which grow considerably larger and retain a longer, more pointed snout. Even fully grown adults remain notably smaller than adult Atlantic sturgeon sharing the same river systems.

Shortnose sturgeon inhabit coastal rivers and estuaries along the Atlantic seaboard from Canada to Florida, generally remaining within river and estuarine systems rather than venturing far into the open ocean. They favor deep river pools, channels, and brackish estuarine waters, tolerating a range of salinities as they move between feeding and spawning habitat. Populations are typically isolated within individual river systems rather than freely mixing along the coast, and many overwinter in deep, low-flow river pools before their spring spawning migration.

Shortnose sturgeon are opportunistic bottom feeders, consuming invertebrates such as mollusks and crustaceans located with their barbels. Unlike some larger sturgeon relatives, they undertake only limited migrations, generally staying within river and estuary systems rather than ranging widely at sea. Spawning occurs in freshwater over rocky or gravel substrate during spring, often in the same river reaches used in prior years. The species is protected under endangered species legislation, with habitat restoration and water quality improvements central to ongoing recovery efforts.