The dorsal and anal fins are located far back on the body and the upper lobe of the tail is much longer than the lower. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Atlantic sturgeon was an important commercial fishery in the Chesapeake Bay, as well as other bays and rivers along the Atlantic Coast. Today's population has declined by more than 90 percent. Major causes of the decline include overfishing, the damming of rivers, and degradation or loss of habitat. An anadromous fish, the Atlantic sturgeon spends most of its life in brackish or salt water, but migrates into coastal rivers to spawn.
Atlantic sturgeon mature very slowly.
Sexually mature males are at least 11 to 12 years old and weigh up to 100 pounds while females are 18 to 20 years old and weigh more than 100 pounds. Males migrate into fresh water during March and April, one month ahead of females. They do not school together but meander alone. Females lay 1 million to 2.5 million eggs in flowing water up to 60 feet deep. Both males and females may remain in the river until late fall before migrating back to the Atlantic.