Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus osyrinchus)
Juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon
Key Information
The Atlantic sturgeon was formally retained as a Candidate Species on September 21, 1998 (63 FR 50211) and transferred to the newly established Species of Concern List on April 15, 2004 (69 FR 19975). Currently, Atlantic sturgeon are listed as both a Species of Concern and a Candidate species.
Brief Species Description
The Atlantic sturgeon is a long-lived, estuarine-dependant, anadromous fish. They can grow to be approximately 14 feet long, weigh up to 18 pounds, and live up to 60 years. They are bluish-black or olive brown on their dorsal (back) side, which fades down to a white ventral (belly) area. They have five major rows of dermal scutes. Atlantic sturgeon are similar in appearance to shortnose sturgeon, but can be distinguished by their larger size, smaller mouth, different snout shape, and scutes. For more information, please see the species fact sheet below.
Status Review / Rules
February 23, 2007 – Status Review of Atlantic sturgeon
January 6, 2010 – 90 Day Finding on Petition to List the Atlantic Sturgeon (75 FR 838)
Area of Concern / SOC Range
Western Atlantic: Labrador – Canada through the St. Johns River, Florida
Atlantic Sturgeon SOC Range MAP
Species Fact Sheet
Conservation Designations
