Shovelnose Sturgeon (6 Inch Series by Replica Toy Fish)

This figure is the sixth and final figure from the Replica Toy Fish 6 inch series, and possibly the most unique model of the whole company’s run. The figure is the shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorhynchus, by no means the first sturgeon on the blog, but the first not from the genus Acipenser (previously including lake sturgeon and Chinese sturgeon) and…probably the only figure from the genus so far (there are other Acipenser figures…and someday we might get to Huso, but I digress).

With this figure, we are at the end of the 6-inch series, which as I’ve said, was a really missed opportunity for the company–especially for the larger and notable species (many of which were planned and I even remember seeing test models but…yeah. What could have been).

The shovelnose sturgeon is one of 3 species in Scaphirhynchus, all of which are found in the Mississippi, Missouri, and Alabama rivers in the US, and may overlap in some areas. All three are typified by a low and wide, more flattened snout (as opposed to the more pointed and sloped snout seen in Acipenser) with, well, a spade-like (or shovel-like) shape. The other two species are considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN, but the shovelnose sturgeon is currently listed as Vulnerable.

It does have the widest range of the three, but is greatly reduced compared to its original distribution. At one time they were abundant enough to support a modest commercial fishing industry (in particular for their roe, called ‘hackleberry caviar’), but now is usually protected just to avoid accidental capture of the other two Scaphirhynchus (of course poaching is still an issue).

They are fairly generalized in habitat preference, found in the bottom or open channels of the large rivers or their secondary channels. They are benthic swimmers, found mainly over sandy or gravel bottoms. As with other sturgeon species, shovelnose sturgeon are generally benthic predators, hunting invertebrates and and fish with the four tendrils in front of their mouths, as well as generally keen senses of smell and electrolocation. This is handy, since the waters where they live tend to be turbid with low visibility, so hunting by sight doesn’t help much!

Shovelnose sturgeon are also relatively small compared to what we normally think of, which large individuals reaching 1 metre (39 inches), though normally closer to 85cm (33inches). This relatively small size sometimes made them seem appropriate for home aquaria. I seem to recall a brief time when shovelnose sturgeon were sometimes seen for sale (even in a shop where I worked, around 1998, in Canada).

Apparently there is still some effort to promote them as aquarium animals, but the sheer ridiculousness of fish like this being available for the average home aquarium likely leaves it to specialists with really large tanks (like gars, I suppose). My boss at the time claimed that they were good for eating algae in outdoor ponds. No. No they don’t.

So, this figure, on first look, is quite a long, skinny-looking model. it is about 14.1cm long (5.5 inches), marginally longer than the other five 6-inch figures; the scale would be between 1:6 to 1:8. The head is low and spade shaped, the back is deep and somewhat cylindrical, and then tapers considerably to a very skinny caudal peduncle and tail. While this overall suits the shape of a shovelnose sturgeon, the latter half of the the body could be thicker; maybe it represents a younger individual.

The overall sculpt is quite smooth, with only three rows of distinct scutes, one along the middle of the back and one along each side. There is no hint of the ventral row of scutes that should be present. Shovelnose sturgeon should have a belly covered in scales as well (it’s a defining trait of the species), but like the majority of the body is completely smooth. The head is well marked, with distinct eyes and a scute behind each one, as well as a clearly defined nostril in front of each eye. No spiracles are visible, which is correct.

On the underside, there are four sensory tendrils, slightly offset although they should be in a straight line. The mouth is somewhat open, with a large fold line around it indicating how the fish would extend its mouth fully to capture prey. The opercula are set far back, past the rear margin of the head, followed by the two pectoral fins that are sculpted with heavy fin bases and extended rayed fins (the only model that does this properly.

The pelvic, dorsal and anal fins are set well back on the body, more rounded than pointed, and the tail fins are somewhat compressed with rounded tips. They should be more shark-tail-like, with a large upper lobe and short lower lobe, but the figure appears to have a slightly thicker lower lobe. Actual Scaphirhynchus species (and some other sturgeon) often have a long tendril extending from the upper lobe, but it usually breaks off by adulthood, so the lack if thus feature is not a surprise (but would have been cool).

The colour of the figure is fairly close if simplistic. Depending on the individual figure (again, they are variable) the overall colour on the back is a chocolate brown down to the first row of scutes. Along the lower sides to the edge of the belly, there are a a mix of white, brown, or light-greenish highlights. This green may also be scattered on other parts, like the fins and tail.

The underside is plain white (of course) but this is relatively accurate. The eyes are also well-painted, marked in a bright yellow, with a black pupil–this is generally correct for the fish. As I said, the colours are pretty close to what is expected for shovelnose sturgeon, although applied in a simple fashion. Better than some models though.

So that is the last of the six inch figures. And, in fact, the last of the original figures released by the Replica Toy Fish Factory (meaning the original 12 three-inch figures and the only six-inch figures). I will just restate, again, that it was a shame that no other six-inch models were released. They were very popular based on sales, and the larger size gave better opportunity for sculpt detail (compare the 3 inch pike and tiger muskie to the six inch pike and tiger muskie as examples from the early days) as well as relative hand-feel, they’re just so substantial.

It was also a shame that I couldn’t convince the Toy Fish Factory to include the size range as well. But hopefully someday someone else will create a figure like this–there are no other shovelnose sturgeon figures made by anyone, and as a group they could really use some more attention. If you ever get the chance, make sure to get one for your collection!

At this point, I am still working through the later-released 3″inch figures. There’s still quite a few that came out fairly briefly, I’ll get to them over time!