|
|
Article: Understanding pallid sturgeon in the Big Muddy.(Missouri River)(Report)
- Article from:
- Endangered Species Bulletin
- Article date:
- September 22, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
The swift current of the longest river in the United States is home to the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus), an elongated, whitish-grey fish armored with protective bony-like plates called scutes. Pallid sturgeon can live up to 60 years, and grow to 6 feet (1.8 meters) and 80 pounds (36 kilograms) in size. (1) This predatory fish uses its protruding mouth to suck up prey, which are found with the aid of four fleshy barbels under its snout. The pallid sturgeon matures slowly; it is estimated to take from 15 to 20 years for a female to reach breeding age. Spawning is less frequent than with most fish. (1) Because of low population numbers and little evidence of ...