Jake Hadshinow, Manito School

Bergen County.

Shortnose Sturgeon. Bergen County. Jake Hadshinow

Shortnose Sturgeon

Hi! I am Shorty the shortnose sturgeon. I am the smallest sturgeon in eastern North America. We are also known as "living fossils" because we are one of the oldest bony fishes. It's no surprise that I have a short and rounded nose. My mouth is located on the underside of my head. I have bony plates along my back, sides, and bottom. My body is yellowish brown to yellow near my head. When I become an adult, I can grow between 18-22 inches. But, I have been known to grow as much as 49 inches.

My habitat is mostly river mouths, tidal rivers, and estuaries. I am found in the Delaware River and the Hudson River. I feed by feeling the substrate with barbells. I eat the bottom-dwelling crustaceans and insects. Those are clams, mussels, snail, worms, and small flounder.

I have been federally endangered since the Endangered Species Act was created in 1973, when I was also considered endangered in New Jersey. My species numbers were drastically due to overfishing, both for my meat and my eggs, which were sold as caviar between 1870 and the early 1900s. That's expensive food for wealthy people! River pollution may have also been a cause for my species' endangerment.

You can help my species and me by not polluting the rivers. Also, the fisherman can take a few days off from fishing and leave us alone. With your help, I will not longer by endangered.

Jake Hadshinow

Manito School

Oakland, NJ

Mr. Jennifer Grella