Fish is a more important dietary staple for pallid sturgeon than it is for shovelnose sturgeon. In one study comparing dietary tendencies between adult shovelnose sturgeon and immature pallid sturgeon, the pallid sturgeon was found to consume far greater numbers of small fish such as cyprinids (minnows).
Fish is an essential part of the diet for pallid sturgeon but not as much for shovelnose sturgeon. A study comparing feeding habits between adult shovelnose sturgeon and immature pallid sturgeon showed that the latter consumed a higher number of small fish, such as cyprinids (minnows).