Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Sturgeons (Acipenseridae)

Sturgeon silhouette.

Sturgeons are an ancient family characterized by slender bodies, lack of scales, and five rows of bony plates running the length of the body, giving them an armored appearance. Their tails are asymmetrical, with the upper fin lobe being much longer than the lower lobe. Their mouths are ventral (on the underside of the head) and toothless. They have long snouts with four barbels on the underside in front of the mouth. They have a single dorsal fin set well back toward the tail, and their fins are shark-like with no spines. Sturgeons are dark brown to gray on the back fading to whitish on the belly.

There are two native species of sturgeon in Connecticut, but only the shortnose sturgeon is thought to currently spawn in the state. Both species spawn in the spring in high-velocity waters, typically beneath the first major change in elevation of their home river.

Click on the species' names below to learn more.

Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) - Native

Biologists holding an Atlantic sturgeon from Long Island Sound.

 

Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) - Native

Side and bottom view of a shortnose sturgeon.


Due to their fast growth and ultimate large size, sturgeons are not generally suited for home aquariums. Also, they are illegal to keep in Connecticut because of their Threatened and Endangered Species status.

 

Text and images adapted from Jacobs, R. P., O'Donnell, E. B., and Connecticut DEEP. (2009). A Pictorial Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut. Hartford, CT. Available for purchase at the DEEP Store.