pallid Sturgeons
The Pallid Sturgeon is an odd looking, flat creature that is need of our help. According to the Herald-Whig article “Officials at a federal fish hatchery in southwest Missouri are hoping that new water tanks will provide a better breeding environment for endangered pallid sturgeon. The Neosho National Fish Hatchery recently received circular tanks that mimic the current in a river, which officials believe could increase reproduction for pallid sturgeons, the Joplin Globe reported.” This hatchery is a large help in keeping the Pallid Sturgeon alive and well because they have been endangered for over 30 years. In the article it says, “‘Basically it's just going to create an endless path for them to be able to swim,’ said Bruce Hallman, an environmental education specialist with the hatchery. ‘There will be a little current in there that will kind of mimic the river, and the thought is just that that's going to keep them a little happier.’” They are now using this method, over the old, restrictive rectangular tanks. In the same article, Hallman says “‘It's a very complex problem, and we're not here to solve the problem as far as the hatchery here. Our main goal is to try to breed them and try to get some new families out there.’" He knows this will not solve all the problems of the Pallid Sturgeon, but it will be a large help. This small addition to the Hatchery will have longtime benefits that helps breed Pallid Sturgeons.
What are these ugly creatures? Where did they come from? In an article from the Fish & Wildlife Service, they say “This unusual inhabitant of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers evolved from a group of fishes that were dominant during the late Cretaceous period 70 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth.” They can also grow up to 80 pound giants and get up to 6 feet. Without the Pallid Sturgeon, its habitat will suffer; in fact, in the same article form the Fish & Wildlife Service, they say “The pallid sturgeon was the first fish species of the Missouri River identified as needing a protection and recovery plan under the Endangered Species Act. The imperiled status of this species is a result of alteration of the natural habitat of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. And like a canary in a coal mine, the plight of the pallid sturgeon serves warning that the overall health of the ecosystem has suffered.” So, it is quite obvious that without this odd looking fish, the overall quality of the ecosystem will decline and that is why scientists are hoping for a beautiful recovery of these ugly animals.
What are these ugly creatures? Where did they come from? In an article from the Fish & Wildlife Service, they say “This unusual inhabitant of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers evolved from a group of fishes that were dominant during the late Cretaceous period 70 million years ago, when dinosaurs roamed the earth.” They can also grow up to 80 pound giants and get up to 6 feet. Without the Pallid Sturgeon, its habitat will suffer; in fact, in the same article form the Fish & Wildlife Service, they say “The pallid sturgeon was the first fish species of the Missouri River identified as needing a protection and recovery plan under the Endangered Species Act. The imperiled status of this species is a result of alteration of the natural habitat of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. And like a canary in a coal mine, the plight of the pallid sturgeon serves warning that the overall health of the ecosystem has suffered.” So, it is quite obvious that without this odd looking fish, the overall quality of the ecosystem will decline and that is why scientists are hoping for a beautiful recovery of these ugly animals.
sources
“Hatchery Hopes New Tanks Will Help Endangered Fish Breeding.” Herald-Whig, 3 Mar. 2019, www.whig.com/article/20190303/AP/303039900#.
Official Web Page of the U S Fish and Wildlife Service, www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/feature/sturgeon.html.
Official Web Page of the U S Fish and Wildlife Service, www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/feature/sturgeon.html.