Sprint Swimming Performance of Wild Shovelnose Sturgeon in an Experimental Open Channel Flume

The sprint performance (Vmax) of shovelnose sturgeon was studied in an experimental flume. The fastest Vmax achieved in an individual trial was 3.73 m/s. The mean Vmax by trial was 2.94 m/s for the Low Velocity 12°C trial, 2.13 m/s for the Low Velocity 19°C trial, 3.01 m/s for the High Velocity 12°C trial, and 3.21 m/s for the High Velocity 19°C trial. Mean Vmax did not differ between hydraulic conditions. Sturgeon performed sprint speeds ranging from 1.29 to 3.73 m/s. Sturgeon were able to reach maximum velocities for only a fraction of a second before returning to slower velocities, and often recorded multiple peaks in velocity throughout a swim. Theoretical maximum sprint velocities for gulf sturgeon and white sturgeon were also estimated using a basic equation for projectile motion applied to leaping sturgeon. The estimated Vmax for individual jumps by gulf sturgeon and white sturgeon ranged as high as 6.64 and 6.26 m/s (respectively). The empirical sprinting velocities from our laboratory study and theoretical Vmax estimated in our analyses of leaping indicate that the swimming capability of sturgeon species is underestimated. The results of this study might provide data to support design of fish passage projects for sturgeon species.