The shortnose sturgeon is one of several species of sturgeon that are found in rivers of the Atlantic Coast of North America.
Shortnose sturgeon can grow to approximately 4.5 feet long and weigh up to 60 pounds, although adults are typically smaller.
They are generally yellowish-brown in color with a dark head, back, and fins. Their undersides are white to yellowish in color.
They have five major rows of external, bony plates (scutes) along the length of their body and a protruding snout with four barbels.
Although similar in appearance to Atlantic sturgeon, shortnose sturgeon can be distinguished by their smaller size, larger mouth, smaller snout shape, and tail scute pattern.
Shortnose sturgeon are bottom feeders, consuming worms, aquatic insect larvae, plants, snails, shrimp, crayfish, and other foods. They use their barbels to locate food and then suck organisms up with their extendable mouths.
Once abundant throughout their range, shortnose sturgeon declined dramatically as a result of overfishing and habitat degradation. In 1973, the species was listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.
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