Shovelnose Sturgeon
ExploreFish
Shovelnose Sturgeon
scaphirhynchus platorynchus
The Shovelnose Sturgeon has a unique flat snout that helps it dig in the riverbed for food! These fish can grow quite large and are known for their ancient lineage, dating back millions of years.
Habitat: Shovelnose Sturgeons are found in the Mississippi River and its tributaries, preferring sandy or muddy river bottoms.
Appearance
The Shovelnose Sturgeon has a distinctive flattened, shovel-like snout and a slender body covered in bony plates called scutes, not scales. Its coloration ranges from mottled brown to gray, helping it blend into riverbeds. Four sensory barbels hang in front of its mouth, aiding in bottom foraging.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassActinopterygiiOrderAcipenseriformesFamilyAcipenseridaeGenusScaphirhynchus
Category
FishRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Instead of scales, this fish has five rows of tough, bony plates covering its body!
Shovelnose Sturgeon are the smallest of all North American sturgeon species!
Their eggs are so valuable they're considered a type of black caviar!
They are often called 'living fossils' because their ancestors swam with dinosaurs!
Special abilities
Ability
Armored Body
Shovelnose Sturgeon has rows of bony plates called scutes that help them protect against predators and rough river environments.
Ability
River Navigator
Shovelnose Sturgeon can live in strong river currents because of its streamlined body and powerful tail that helps them swim against the flow.
Ability
Flexible Skeleton
Shovelnose Sturgeon has a skeleton made mostly of cartilage, allowing them flexibility to maneuver around river obstacles.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 50-80 cm
- Weight
- 0.5-2.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 10-25 years
- Swim Speed
- 20 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 15 m
- Water Type
- Freshwater
Diet & Feeding
These bottom-dwelling fish use their specialized mouths to vacuum up aquatic insects and crustaceans from riverbeds.
Primary Foods
- Mayfly larvae
- Caddisfly larvae
- Midge larvae
- Crayfish
- Small fish
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eats
Giant Mayfly
Hexagenia limbata
larvae are a primary food source
eats
Devil Crayfish
Cambarus diogenes
feeds on crustaceans from river bottom
eaten by
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
eggs and young fish are often preyed upon
eaten by
North American River Otter
Lutra canadensis
preys on juvenile sturgeon in rivers
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Filter Feeder
Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
Carnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Marine
Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life.
Also known as
Flathead SturgeonMississippi Sturgeon
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Shovelnose Sturgeon?
50-80 cm
How much does Shovelnose Sturgeon weigh?
0.5-2.5 kg
How long does Shovelnose Sturgeon live?
10-25 years
What does Shovelnose Sturgeon eat?
These bottom-dwelling fish use their specialized mouths to vacuum up aquatic insects and crustaceans from riverbeds.
How fast can Shovelnose Sturgeon swim?
20 km/h
Where is Shovelnose Sturgeon usually found?
Shovelnose Sturgeons are found in the Mississippi River and its tributaries, preferring sandy or muddy river bottoms.
How does Shovelnose Sturgeon hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Shovelnose Sturgeon go?
15 m
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