The Mississippi River is the second largest river in the United States, clocking in at 2,350 miles long. Its many tributaries and associated wetlands stretch the length of the entire Appalachian region, and the river is renowned for its impressive range of native fish species. One of the biggest fish to inhabit the river is the shortnose pallid sturgeon. But what exactly makes it one of the biggest fish to inhabit the Mississippi River?
The shortnose pallid sturgeon grows to an average length of two to three feet long, making it one of the larger species of freshwater fish. Its body is known for its scaleless, smooth surface and its four barbels — whisker-like sensory organs that act as “taste buds” in the water — which it uses to help detect food. The species has been around since the prehistoric age, although its declined population has led to it being listed as an endangered species for the past thirty years.
The shortnose pallid sturgeon prefers to live in sandy-bottomed areas of the Mississippi River that feature depths of six to eight feet. Here, the sturgeon can hunt for small fish and insects, which makes up most of its diet. Female shortnose pallid sturgeons can grow to longer sizes than males – up to four
