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Alabama’s Threatened Spawning Fish. The Gulf Sturgeon. Gulf Sturgeon ( Acipenser oxyrhynchus desotoi ). The Gulf Sturgeon. Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi Family: Acipenseridae Group: Fishes Current Status: Listed in 1991 as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
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Alabama’s Threatened Spawning Fish The Gulf Sturgeon
The Gulf Sturgeon • Gulf SturgeonAcipenser oxyrinchus desotoiFamily: AcipenseridaeGroup: Fishes • Current Status: Listed in 1991 asThreatened under the Endangered Species Act. • Historic Range in the U.S.: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, & Mississippi
A Diadromous Fish Diadromous fish are fish that migrate between freshwater and saltwater. Only 1% of all fish in the world are diadromous.
Migrate to freshwater to spawn. A subspecies of the Atlantic sturgeon. Grow to a maximum length of 8 feet and can weigh over 200 pounds. Life span of least 28 years. Females mature from 8 to 17 years of age; males 7 to 21 years. Females can produce 200,000 to 400,000 eggs each. Adult fish spend 8 to 9 months per year in rivers and 3 to 4 months in estuaries or Gulf waters. A Closer Look at the Gulf Sturgeon
Gulf Sturgeon in Alabama • Found in the Escambia River System in Escambia, Conecuh, and Covington Counties; • Found in the Yellow River System in Covington County • Found in the Choctawhatchee River System in Dale, Coffee, Geneva, and Houston Counties
Locations of Gulf Sturgeon • Escambia River System (not shown on map) • Yellow River System • Choctawhatchee River System
Significant Contributors to Habitat Decline • Natural & Man- made barriers (waterfalls & dams) • Stream flow alteration • Loss of habitat • Overharvesting • Water quality
Fishing for More Information? Visit these websites to learn more about the Gulf Sturgeon: • http://www.pfmt.org/wildlife/endangered/fishes.htm • http://endangered.fws.gov/I/e/sae2w.html • http://ecos.fws.gov/servlet/SpeciesProfile?spcode=E04W