White sturgeon
📖 Overview
Spends most of its time in the sea, usually close to shore . Enters estuaries of large rivers and moves far inland to spawn . Individuals larger than 48.3 cm feed mainly on fishes; smaller ones feed mainly on chironomids, but also takes small crustaceans, other insects and mollusks . Feeding ceases just before spawning . Excellent food fish that is sold fresh, smoked or frozen . Eggs marketed as caviar . In the past, the airbladder was made into isinglass .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 44 - 48; Anal soft rays: 28 - 31. Distinguished by the 2 rows of 4 to 8 bony plates on a midventral line between the anus and anal fin, and about 45 rays in the dorsal fin . Gray or brownish above, paler below; fins gray . Barbels situated closer to snout tip than to mouth; no obvious scutes behind dorsal and anal fins .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for White sturgeon is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Adults return to the sea after spawning . Spawning frequency interval every 4 years for younger females and every 10-11 years in older females .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; freshwater; brackish; demersal; anadromous ; depth range 1 - 122 m . Temperate; 0°C - 23°C ; 58°N - 24°N, 163°W - 107°W
🌿 Ecology
fishes; smaller ones feed mainly on chironomids, but also takes small crustaceans, other insects and
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-heavy 7ft spinning rod
- 30-50 lb braid
- fluorocarbon leader
- grass flats
- oyster bars
- marsh drains
- deeper channel edges
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits protect breeding-size fish. Verify daily bag limits.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"White sturgeon is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.4 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 293 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for White sturgeon has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🏆 World Records
| Record Type | Value | Angler | Location | Date | Line Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 212.28 kg | Joey Pallotta III | Benicia, California | 09 Jul 1983 | ALL |
Source: IGFA All-Tackle World Records database
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acipenser aleutensis | Fitzinger | 1836 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 43 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
No observations yet - be the first to log one!
View all observations for White sturgeon ↗Spotted incorrect or outdated data? Submit a correction and our editorial team will review it. Approved edits go live within 48 hours.
Found a factual error, broken data, or inappropriate content? Let us know and we will investigate promptly.