Family Mobulidae 

 Genus Mania 



(32) Mania birostris (Donndorff) 1798 

 Devil ray, manta ray, devil fish 



Specimens: 



One record of this species occurs from Rhode Island. In August, 

 1921, a giant manta, 19 feet wide was harpooned 10 miles off Block 

 Island by a swordfisherman and brought to the island. 



Class OSTEICHTHYES Bony Fishes 



Family Acipenseridae 

 Genus Acipenser 



(33) Acipenser sturio Linnaeus 1758 

 Sea sturgeon, common sturgeon 



Specimens: (PLATE 14) 



The sea sturgeon is found in Rhode Island waters from May to 

 November. Specimens two and eight feet (TL) have been noted in 

 local waters by the writer. A sturgeon, six feet four inches (TL) and 

 weighing 126 pounds was captured seven miles up the Pawcatuck 

 River below the Stillmanville Bridge by Frank Muoio of Westerly 

 using eel spears during October, 1955. Examination of the ovaries 

 demonstrated only a few small eggs. Photographs and description 

 of this species are found in Gordon (1958 b). 



Economic Importance: 



Sturgeons are dressed and sent to market where they usually 

 bring good prices. The meat is sometimes cured or smoked and the 

 eggs are processed into caviar. During 1957, Rhode Island fishermen 

 landed 3,698 pounds of sturgeon valued at S557. 



(34) Acipenser brevirostrum LeSueur 1818 

 Shortnose sturgeon, little sturgeon 



Specimens: 



This species is smaller and less common than the sea sturgeon. 

 A 2.5 foot (TL) shortnose sturgeon was taken in May, 1956, in the 



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