Green Sturgeon

The green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostrus) is anadromous, moving from marine water into freshwater to spawn. It is native to rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas in western North America from Baja California to Alaska. Green sturgeon have olive green coloration on their backs, a yellow-white belly, scutes along their sides and backs, and barbels near their mouths. They can live up to 60 years, grow nearly nine feet long, reach sexual maturity around 15 years old, and spawn every three to five years. Because of their anadromous lifestyle and long time to maturity, human-caused changes to their ecosystems have exacerbated challenges to the species and prevented successful migration and survival of young life stages across much of their range. As a result, investigations into movement, diet, and entrainment risk have become important research objectives for their recovery.

Fun Fact: Like other sturgeon species, green sturgeon have electrosensory organs that help them find food in the often dark and cloudy waters of the benthic (bottom) habitat that they inhabit.