Observations of Swimming Ability in Shovelnose Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus)

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Abstract
Swimming performance and behavior of five adult (57—69 cm fork length) shovelnose sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, were studied in a 945-L swim tunnel at 16° C. Fifteen-minute critical swimming speeds ranged from 65 to 116 cm s−1. Sturgeon swam volitionally at low speeds (5—30 cm s−1), but at higher speeds (40—120 cm s−1) sturgeon alternated between active swimming and appressing themselves to the bottom of the tunnel. This second behavior is enhanced by sturgeon morphology—streamlined body shape, flat rostrum, and large pectoral fins. It allows shovelnose sturgeon to exploit river bottoms as a refugia from current and maintain position in high velocities.