Pallid Sturgeon Adults on Station
Determining Sturgeon Sexual Maturity
Our sturgeon were recently visited by Janice Bryan of US Geological Survey. Janice used ultrasound and endoscope technology to determine the gender of our adult endangered pallid sturgeon. She also examined their ovaries and testes to determine if the fish had developed any gametes. This is useful information for us, since pallid sturgeon do not reproduce every year. In the wild, it may take sexually mature females up to 5 years to produce eggs.
Endoscope Video
As is often the case with long-lived species, sturgeons take years to become sexually mature. Pallid sturgeon males become sexually mature after approximately 5-7 years. It can take pallid females 15-20 years before they are sexually mature.
Pallid Juveniles on Station
Currently, we have one-year old and two-year old pallid juveniles on station. They originally started out as eggs that were hatched in the spring. We feed hatch brine shrimp to all our pallid sturgeon fry. Eventually, these fry grow large enough to eat larger food items. We then switch them to grated frozen adult brine shrimp, and later, whole frozen adult brine shrimp. They are currently growing about an inch per month.
Juvenile pallid sturgeon feeding on brine shrimp 
These sturgeon originated from adult pallid broodstock that were captured from the Missouri River and spawned at Blind Pony State Fish Hatchery in Sweet Springs, MO. This work is done in partnership with members of the Middle Basin Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Work Group.
These sturgeon originated from adult pallid broodstock that were captured from the Missouri River and spawned at Blind Pony State Fish Hatchery in Sweet Springs, MO. This work is done in partnership with members of the Middle Basin Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Work Group.
