|
Lake Sturgeon are a slow-growing and long-lived freshwater fish. Although Lake Sturgeon have been recorded to reach over three metres (m) in length and 180 kilograms (kg) in weight, they are now rarely found over 1.5 m in length or 35 kg in weight. The Lake Sturgeon has a cartilaginous skeleton, and a shark-like tail. Rather than fish scales, the juveniles and larval Lake Sturgeon have external bony scutes, which are less pronounced on larger individuals. The head has a pointed snout with four pendulous barbels, and a ventrally located mouth. It is dark to light brown in colour on its' back and sides, with a lighter coloured belly. Individual Lake Sturgeon have been known to live up to 150 years old, but such ages are rare today. Lake Sturgeon often move short distances (one to 20 km) between feeding sites in large rivers and lakes and into spawning and overwintering areas, but are able to migrate longer distances (greater than 100 km). Unlike most fish, Lake Sturgeon do not sexually mature and begin spawning until they are relatively old, approximately 15 years for males, and 25 years for females. There is also some evidence to suggest that spawning may not take place every year during the reproductive years.
|