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A sturgeon is an ancient ray-finned fish in the family Acipenseridae. It is a close relative of paddlefish—not a catfish, shark, or dinosaur. Sturgeons are recognized by five rows of bony scutes, four barbels, a long snout, a toothless downward-pointing mouth, and a tail whose upper lobe is larger than its lower lobe.
Depending on the species, a sturgeon may live mainly in freshwater or move between rivers, estuaries, coastal water, and the sea. All sturgeons spawn in freshwater, but many spend much of their adult lives in coastal or marine environments.
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What is a sturgeon?
Sturgeons are members of the family Acipenseridae, within the order Acipenseriformes. They belong to the class Actinopterygii, the ray-finned fishes. Paddlefish are their closest well-known relatives.
Although sturgeons are classified as ray-finned fish, their internal skeleton is mostly made of cartilage rather than the hard bone found in many familiar fish. They also have specialized bony structures called scutes along their bodies. This combination gives them an unusual appearance: they look like a cross between a modern fish and an animal from a much older era.
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The sturgeon lineage has an exceptionally long fossil history. Depending on whether researchers are discussing modern sturgeons or the broader sturgeon-and-paddlefish lineage, its history extends at least 120 million years and possibly more than 200 million years. “Living fossil” is a useful popular comparison for their ancient body plan, but it does not mean that living sturgeons are literally unchanged or that they are dinosaurs.
Taxonomic counts can change as scientists revise species classifications. Identification materials commonly refer to about 27 recognized sturgeon and paddlefish species in the broader group, and NOAA describes 27 sturgeon species in temperate waters of the Northern Hemisphere. That number should be treated as a current estimate rather than a permanently fixed total.
How to identify a sturgeon
Several features distinguish sturgeons from most other fish:
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- Five rows of scutes: Instead of ordinary overlapping scales, sturgeons have rows of hard, diamond-shaped plates along the body. These provide protection and are one of the quickest ways to recognize a sturgeon.
- Four barbels: Four fleshy, whisker-like organs hang in front of the mouth. They help the fish find food on the bottom.
- A long snout: The snout’s length and shape vary among species and can change as a fish grows.
- A protrusible, toothless mouth: The mouth points downward and can extend outward. It works much like a suction tube, drawing food from mud, sand, gravel, or other bottom surfaces.
- A heterocercal tail: The upper tail lobe is larger than the lower one, creating a silhouette that can look somewhat shark-like.
- A mostly cartilaginous skeleton: This is unusual among large, familiar ray-finned fish and contributes to the sturgeon’s distinctive body shape.
- Sensory structures: Sensory pores, barbels, and electrosensory organs help sturgeons locate prey when water is dark or cloudy. Their eyes are not their only important tools for finding food.
Is a sturgeon a catfish or a shark?
No. Sturgeons are neither catfish nor sharks.
They are sometimes mistaken for catfish because both can have barbels and often feed near the bottom. That similarity is superficial: catfish and sturgeons belong to different evolutionary groups. Sturgeons are more closely related to paddlefish.
The shark-like tail is another source of confusion, but a sturgeon is not a shark either. Its tail has a similar uneven profile, while its overall anatomy and evolutionary relationships are different.
Where do sturgeons live?
Sturgeons are native to the Northern Hemisphere. Different species occur in temperate rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal waters, and marginal seas across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Some species spend most of their lives in freshwater. Others are anadromous: they feed and grow partly in coastal or marine water, then migrate into freshwater rivers to reproduce. The distinction matters because there is no single habitat pattern that applies to every sturgeon.
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Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) are a major example of a freshwater species. They occur in the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence and Hudson Bay watersheds, the Mississippi River system, and the Coosa River watershed. They can live in both lakes and rivers.
Pallid and shovelnose sturgeons are also freshwater species associated with central United States river systems. Young pallid and shovelnose sturgeons can be difficult to tell apart, so identification may require close examination or guidance from a fisheries agency.
Sturgeons that migrate between rivers and the sea
Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) range along the eastern coast of North America from southern Canada to northern Florida. Adults spend much of their time at sea or in coastal waters, then enter rivers to spawn.
Gulf sturgeon, treated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, is a subspecies associated with the Gulf coast. It moves between coastal waters and rivers, including the Suwannee and Pearl river systems.
Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) occur along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Mexico. They are anadromous, although different populations can have different movement patterns. White sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) also include populations that migrate between the ocean and freshwater, as well as landlocked populations.
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What does a sturgeon eat?
Most sturgeons are bottom-feeders rather than fast open-water predators. They use their barbels and other sensory organs to locate prey, then extend the mouth and suck food from the bottom.
Their diet may include:
- worms;
- aquatic insects and their larvae;
- crustaceans;
- snails and other mollusks;
- mussels;
- small fish;
- fish eggs; and
- other small bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
The exact diet depends on the species, habitat, season, and the size of the fish. Taste, touch, and electrosensory abilities are especially useful when sediment makes the water too cloudy for sight alone.
Are sturgeons freshwater or saltwater fish?
They can be either, depending on the species and life stage. Lake sturgeon and several river sturgeons are primarily freshwater fish. Atlantic, Gulf, and green sturgeons make important migrations between freshwater and saltwater or coastal habitats.
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All sturgeons spawn in freshwater. That does not mean every sturgeon remains in freshwater throughout its life. Calling the entire group simply “freshwater fish” leaves out the marine and coastal parts of many species’ life cycles.
Major North American sturgeon species
| Species | Typical range and lifestyle | Notable facts |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic sturgeon | Eastern North American coast; adults commonly use marine and coastal waters and enter rivers to spawn | Can exceed 14 feet and live about 60 years or more; federally endangered in the United States |
| Shortnose sturgeon | Coastal rivers and estuaries from Canada to Florida; uses freshwater for spawning | Reaches about 4.5 feet and roughly 50–60 pounds; endangered throughout its U.S. range |
| Gulf sturgeon | Gulf coast, including river systems such as the Suwannee and Pearl | Moves between marine waters and rivers; listed as threatened in 1991 |
| Lake sturgeon | Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Hudson Bay, Mississippi, and Coosa watersheds | Large fish may reach about 7 feet and 200–300 pounds; exceptional longevity can approach 150 years |
| White sturgeon | Large Pacific coast river systems; some populations are anadromous and some are landlocked | North America’s largest freshwater fish; reported extremes reach 15–20 feet and nearly one ton, though they are uncommon |
| Green sturgeon | Pacific coast from Alaska to Mexico; anadromous | The southern distinct population segment is threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act |
| Pallid and shovelnose sturgeon | Freshwater rivers of the central United States | Closely related; young fish can be difficult to distinguish; pallid sturgeon is federally protected |
These conservation classifications apply to particular species or population segments and should not be generalized to every sturgeon worldwide. Legal status also varies by country, state, province, and population.
How do sturgeons reproduce?
Sturgeons migrate to freshwater spawning grounds, where females release eggs and males release sperm into the water. Many species mature slowly and do not spawn every year.
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That life history makes sturgeons particularly vulnerable to population declines. A fish that takes many years to mature—and reproduces only intermittently—cannot replace lost adults quickly.
- Atlantic sturgeon may not become reproductively mature until they are more than 20 years old.
- Green sturgeon mature at approximately 15 years and may return to spawn every three to five years.
- Lake sturgeon may mature between roughly 10 and 30 years of age and spawn intermittently.
Timing, age at maturity, spawning frequency, and migration behavior vary by species, sex, latitude, and population.
Why are sturgeons threatened?
Sturgeons’ large size, valuable roe, long lives, late maturity, and dependence on connected river systems have made them unusually sensitive to human pressure.
- Overfishing: Sturgeons have historically been harvested for meat and roe. Large females are especially valuable because their eggs are used to make caviar.
- Dams and blocked migration routes: Dams can prevent adults from reaching spawning grounds, eliminate habitat, and divide populations into smaller groups.
- Bycatch: Sturgeons may be caught unintentionally in fishing gear such as gillnets and trawls.
- Pollution and habitat degradation: Contaminants, dredging, altered river flows, water withdrawals, and the loss of suitable river habitat can harm adults, eggs, and juveniles.
- Climate-related changes: Warmer water, changing river flows, altered ocean conditions, and shifts in prey or habitat can affect spawning and juvenile survival.
International trade in sturgeon and paddlefish specimens, including caviar, is regulated through CITES. CITES uses “caviar” to mean processed, unfertilized eggs of Acipenseriformes species. Anyone considering buying caviar should check the laws and labeling requirements that apply in their country and avoid assuming that a legal-looking product is automatically sustainable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How can you identify a sturgeon in North America?
Start with the overall combination of traits rather than one feature alone:
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute- Look for five rows of hard scutes along the body.
- Check for four barbels in front of a downward-facing, toothless mouth.
- Note the long snout and uneven, shark-like tail.
- Record the location, habitat, approximate size, coloration, and date.
- Compare the fish with a regional identification guide or contact the relevant state, provincial, tribal, or federal fisheries agency.
White and green sturgeons can be especially challenging to distinguish. Features used by specialists may include coloration, barbel placement, the position of the vent, scute characteristics, and an additional scute behind the dorsal and anal fins in green sturgeon. A photograph and location can be more useful than a guess based only on color.
For readers identifying North American freshwater fish, a North American freshwater fish field guide such as Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of North America North of Mexico, Second Edition can be a useful starting point because it provides identification information and range maps. It is not a complete guide to every sturgeon species worldwide and does not replace official agency identification or handling rules. Disclosure: this is an informational book recommendation; availability and retailer terms may vary.
Are sturgeons good pets?
Sturgeons are generally not suitable pets for ordinary home aquariums. Even smaller species can become large, long-lived fish with specialized habitat needs. Many are protected or regulated, and transporting, possessing, catching, or releasing them may require permits or may be prohibited depending on the location.
Do not remove a wild sturgeon from its habitat, keep one found in a river or lake, or release an unwanted fish. Follow local wildlife regulations and contact a licensed fishery or wildlife authority if you need help with an injured or accidentally caught sturgeon.
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Is a sturgeon a freshwater fish?
Some sturgeons are primarily freshwater fish, while others migrate between rivers and coastal or marine waters. All sturgeons spawn in freshwater, so the group is best described as including both freshwater and anadromous species.
Is a sturgeon related to a catfish?
No. Sturgeons and catfish may both have barbels and feed near the bottom, but the resemblance is superficial. Sturgeons are more closely related to paddlefish.
Are sturgeons dangerous to people?
Sturgeons are not generally considered aggressive predators of people. They are large, powerful wild fish, however, so people should not attempt to handle, catch, transport, or keep one without following local rules and appropriate safety procedures.
Why does a sturgeon have whiskers?
The four barbels in front of a sturgeon’s mouth help it detect food on the bottom. Along with taste, touch, and electrosensory abilities, they help the fish feed in muddy or dark water.
Can you keep a sturgeon in a home aquarium?
Usually not. Sturgeons can grow very large, live for decades, and require specialized conditions. Wildlife protections and possession rules also vary by location. A wild sturgeon should never be taken home or released elsewhere.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: A sturgeon is an ancient ray-finned fish in the family Acipenseridae, recognized by its scutes, barbels, long snout, toothless suction mouth, and uneven tail. Some species live in freshwater, while others migrate between rivers and the sea. Their slow growth and late maturity make them especially vulnerable to overfishing, dams, habitat loss, pollution, and bycatch.
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