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Sturgeon

There are a 20 varieties of sturgeon and a good number of hybrids available in two separate genus however only a select few are suitable for a garden pond. Sturgeon that we will cover are all suitable to live in a pond as long as some key factors are observed before even considering owning these amazing fish. Commonly misdescribed as pond cleaner fish which is incredibly wrong to described as any variety of sturgeon do not have the ability to digest plant matter. They require a high protein diet which is naturally provided by the living organisms in the pond. When kept in a pond their diet needs to be artificially provided with extremely good quality sinking pellets along side their natural foods such as bloodworm. We frown on any fish supplier saying a fish will clean the pond, it is merely a myth that has been taken from the fish rooting around the silt in the pond to obtain the living insects that live within. There are no fish that eat silt.

Sexing sturgeon

Thu, 04/07/2011 - 10:05 by Splashtastic   Tags:

 When keeping sturgeon splashtastic are often asked about the sex of a persons fish and the answer is really not an option to anyone other than those in the sturgeon industry for the production of caviar, as it requires specialist equipment as there are no external features to indicate the sex of a sturgeon. So an internal examination is necessary, making the process more difficult. The gonad is the organ that makes gametes - reproductive cells. The gonads in males are the testes and the gonads in females are the ovaries. To determine if the sturgeon has ovaries or testes an incision is made in an anesthetized fish and the gonad is visually inspected. This operation is necessary as, to date, ultrasound results, although less invasive, have not been reliable.

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Sturgeon Feeding guide

Fri, 06/25/2010 - 09:39 by Splashtastic   Tags:

Unlike koi and other common pond fish, sturgeon love cold water temperatures which means they require feeding during the winter. Unlike koi or other pond fish sturgeon still require their protein rich diet which koi and goldfish struggle to digest in the lower winter temperatures and can often be fatal if fed on the high protein feed that sturgeon require. When keeping sturgeon it is often a dangerous mistake made by many pond owners to stop feeding in winter as the more common a fish slow down or even stop feeding. Sturgeon will happily feed all year round and this is a must for a healthy happy sturgeon. 

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Sturgeon requirements

Fri, 06/25/2010 - 09:37 by Splashtastic   Tags:

The majority of sturgeon species are best suited to, and are happier in, water temperatures under or around 20 degrees C. Within a pond of a minimum 2000 gallons with the exception of Sterlets which can be comfortably housed in 1000 gallons, the important fact to bear in mind is these fish grow very quickly and to a large size. 

Small sturgeon are better in cool temperatures of 10-15 degrees C for optimum growth. As their size increases to around 3-4" they can then sustain growth and tolerate temperatures up to 22 degrees C, and are more able to cope with the lower oxygen levels. Over this temperature the food intake will slow down and metabolic overload may occur as most sturgeon will not eat in temperatures of over 26 degrees C.

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Beluga Sturgeon ( Huso Huso )

Fri, 06/25/2010 - 09:33 by Splashtastic   Tags:

Beluga Sturgeon ( Huso Huso )
Facts

Also known as:- Great sturgeon
Kingdom:- Animalia
Phylum:- Chordata
Class:- Actinopterygii
Order:- Acipenseriformes
Family:- Acipenseridae
Genus:- Huso
Size Length:- 1 - 3 (max = 5 m)
Weight Up to:- 2,072 kg

The Beluga is the most well known of the caviar sturgeons.

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Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus)

Fri, 06/25/2010 - 09:31 by Splashtastic   Tags:

Sterlet  (Acipenser ruthenus)

This is one of the smaller species of sturgeon, it is a common Eurasione species and is an angling species all over the world and kept domestically in the UK and Europe. It is also grown for its caviar, for eating and for isinglass (a substance obtained from the swimbladders of fish (especially Beluga sturgeon). It is a form of collagen used mainly for the clarification of wine and beer.)

The Sterlet can reach weights of up to 16kg and grow to 1-1.25m, however it is relatively slow growing. It has variations of colour from grey through to earthy brown, although the ventral or underside is usually of a yellowish hue. There is also an albino variation that has no pigment in the skin and is a pale yellowy colour all over, with the same coloured eyes. It's large number of whitish lateral skutes, fringed barbels and elongated, narrow snout distinguish it from other European species.

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Diamond Sturgeon (Russian/Goldspot) (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii)

Fri, 06/25/2010 - 09:30 by Splashtastic   Tags:

If you have an extensive pond Diamond sturgeons are stunning fish. They are extremely pretty when young but have less defined markings and become paler when mature, although as they are a big fish they remain an impressive addition to the pond. They are a stocky fish with a wide  back and shoulders when adult. They grow rapidly (second to the Beluga sturgeon) and should not be considered if you have a smaller pond of 1000 gallons or just over. In this case go for the Sterlet. Be aware that disreputable sellers may try to pass them off as a Diamond Sterlet which is a fictitious name. They are a Diamond sturgeon.

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