FAQs
1. How
many species of sturgeon exist?
2.
How many species live in
North America?
3.
Which species is most
common in North America?
4.
How long have sturgeon
existed?
5.
Does sturgeon live in salt
or fresh water?
6.
What products come from sturgeon?
8.
Sturgeon have been called a 'Royal'
fish. What does this mean?
Although some scientists disagree on the definition of a species vs. a sub-species, it is generally accepted that there are twenty-four species of sturgeon and five sub-species in existence today. Many species are nearing extinction.
How
many species live in North America
Nine. White sturgeon, Green sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, Lake sturgeon, Pallid sturgeon, Gulf sturgeon, Short nose sturgeon, Shovelnose sturgeon and the very rare Alabama sturgeon.
Which
species is most common in
The
white sturgeon is considered the most common in
Sturgeon have lived on earth for approximately 200 million years.
Do sturgeon live in freshwater or saltwater?
Sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they can live in freshwater or saltwater. Typically, many sturgeon species live in saltwater and spawn in freshwater, although some sturgeon live in freshwater permanently. The chloride cells in their gills allow them to live in saltwater.
Sturgeon meat is highly prized, but more valuable are the eggs, which are processed and sold as caviar. The tough skin can be turned into leather for clothing and bookbinding. The swim bladder of sturgeon can be made into a gelatin called isinglass, which is used to clarify wine and beer or used as a waterproofing material, or an ingredient in paint and glue.
Sturgeon are bottom feeders and will eat almost anything that comes along. Their main diet consists of fish, crayfish, clams, eels and shrimp.
King
Edward II of