Sturgeon in the aquarium: maintenance and care

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Is it possible to keep a sturgeon in an aquarium? Until recently, this type of fish at home was extremely rare. Nowadays, many people acquire representatives of the sturgeon family for breeding in aquariums. Keeping such fish in domestic waters is a very difficult task. This is only for an experienced aquarist. In the article, we will consider in detail the features of sturgeon breeding and caring for them.

What types of sturgeons are suitable for an aquarium

Sturgeon is the collective name for a family of fish that includes a huge number of species. They are distinguished by their large size (up to 4–6 m), long pointed stigma and the presence of bone spikes on the body. Sturgeons are unique relic fish that have survived to this day. The first representatives of this family appeared on Earth many tens of millions of years ago.

There is a misconception that keeping sturgeons in an aquarium is not particularly difficult. Many breeders believe that this ancient fish is in the process ofevolution was able to adapt to any, even the most adverse conditions. But in fact, sturgeon is a very whimsical fish. Representatives of this family are extremely sensitive to the composition and quality of water. In order for the fish to live long, it is necessary to provide it with the right conditions and care.

Not all types of sturgeons are able to live in aquariums. Only small representatives of this group of fish are suitable for keeping at home. These include:

• starlet;
• bester.

These fish are more hardy than most sturgeons and can be kept in aquariums. Bester is a hybrid of sterlet and beluga.

As for large sturgeon fish, they do not adapt well to home conditions. There is a negative experience of keeping Russian and Amur Oster in aquariums. Even under good conditions, the fish died very quickly. Therefore, large sturgeons can only be kept in special fish farms, but not at home.

Description of the fish

In the wild, the size of sterlet and bester can reach 120–150 cm. Their body weight reaches 25–30 kg.

In an aquarium, a sturgeon cannot grow to the same dimensions as in its natural habitat. In captivity, the size of the fish is usually no more than 20–40 cm. The fry grow very slowly.

The body of sturgeon fish has a spindle shape. The stigma is elongated, ending in a thin and raised proboscis. There are 5 rows of bone shields on the body. This is a distinctive feature of all types of sturgeons. In wild naturethese fish protect themselves from enemies with sharp spikes.

Sturgeons have a rather modest and inconspicuous scale color. Their body color varies from dark brown to light gray. Most often, individuals with a brownish body, a yellow abdomen and gray fins are found. The white color of the sterlet is considered a rarity.

Lifestyle in the natural environment

Before you start a sturgeon in a home aquarium, you need to study their living conditions in the wild. This will help create the most comfortable environment for the fish.

In nature, sturgeons are found in the fresh waters of the European part of Russia and Siberia. Occasionally they swim in s alty seas. In winter, rivers are covered with ice, and sturgeon fish hibernate. They are at the bottom in special shelters (wintering pits). A special mucus on the body helps them survive the cold, which serves as protection against frost.

As soon as the rivers are freed from ice, sturgeons begin their spawning season. They swim down the river to lay their eggs.

Sturgeons are predators. They feed on crustaceans, mollusks, aquatic worms and insect larvae. Sterlets love to feast on the eggs of other fish.

Home Rules

Growing sturgeon in an aquarium is quite a difficult task. This fish is finicky and sensitive to various adverse effects. Quite often, sturgeons die due to the slightest negligence in care and maintenance. In order for the fish to live for a long time, it is necessary to create the following conditions for them:

1. Space inaquarium. For one medium-sized individual, a tank with dimensions of at least 250 liters will be required. About 100 liters of aquarium volume should fall on 10 cm of fish body length.
2. Extensive bottom. The body of the sturgeon constantly produces protective mucus. To wash it off, the fish have to move a lot in the water. Sterlets and besters like to swim close to the bottom, so the ground area should be large enough.
3. Optimal temperature. In nature, sturgeons live in cool rivers. Therefore, the water temperature in the aquarium should be from +15 to +22 degrees. These fish do not tolerate even small temperature fluctuations very well. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a special thermostat for the aquarium. The fish tank should not be placed under an open window in winter or in direct sunlight in summer.
4. Good water quality. The sturgeon is very sensitive to the composition of the water in the aquarium, so it is necessary to monitor the quality characteristics of the liquid. Acidity (pH) from 6.5 to 8.5 units and hardness from 6 to 25 dGH are allowed. The content of nitrate impurities should be minimized.
5. Powerful water filtration and aeration. It is necessary to purchase equipment for an aquarium with a capacity of at least 6 volumes per hour. It is very useful to keep sturgeons in running water. Such an environment is as close as possible to their natural habitat.
6. Lack of plants. Any algae is a great danger to sturgeons. These fish can become entangled with their spines in plants and die. The safest thing for sturgeons is the complete absence of vegetation.
7. Safe decoraquarium. It is allowed to place snags and stones in the tank. However, grottoes and caves with labyrinths should not be equipped in the aquarium. Sturgeons very often cannot get out of such shelters, which can lead to their death. It should be remembered that the central nervous system of these fish is arranged primitively. They are very bad at navigating the labyrinths.

Sand or gravel can be used as soil. It is not recommended to place large stones on the bottom. Sturgeons have considerable physical strength. They can kick rocks off the ground with their long proboscises and shatter aquarium glass.

Food

What to feed sturgeon in the aquarium? These fish are predators and need live food. They can be given the following types of food:

• tubifex;
• bloodworm;
• pieces of fish (capelin, hake);
• earthworms;
• finely chopped beef.

Food for sturgeons should be crushed and soft. These fish have no teeth, and the mouthparts are very small. Pieces of food should sink to the bottom, as the sturgeon's stigma is adapted to pick up food from the ground.

You can also give sturgeons ready-made feed. For example, the Tetra Pond Sterlet Stick product is designed specifically for feeding sterlets and besters. It is a granule that settles on the bottom. But even when feeding fish with ready-made food, it is necessary to regularly diversify their diet with live food.

Compatibility

Sturgeon in the aquarium is not compatible with all types of fish. Smaller individuals cannot be kept together with him. Sterlets and besters can use small fish as food. The following inhabitants of the aquarium are suitable as neighbors for sturgeons:

• chain catfish;
• shell pike;
• arovanas.

Sturgeon is not recommended to keep with too large species of fish. Such neighbors can take food from sterlets and besters.

Is it possible to reproduce at home

Sturgeon breeding in an aquarium is impossible. These fish practically do not breed in captivity. Sterlet and Bester cannot spawn in confined spaces. Their breeding is possible only in artificial ponds.

It is best to buy sturgeon fry in fish farms. In this case, it is necessary to pay attention to the absence of external defects in the fish. A he althy fry should not have a curvature of the spine, underdeveloped gills and a sunken abdomen.

Lifespan

Sturgeon in an aquarium can live an average of about 3 years. In the wild, the life expectancy of these fish is much longer - about 15-20 years. Often, aquarists are faced with a situation where sturgeons die after a year of living at home. This is most often associated with violations of the rules of maintenance and care.

It can be concluded that being in a closed tank significantly reduces the life of the fish. Sturgeons are best grown and bred in artificial ponds. Such a reservoir canset up in the garden. These conditions are more natural for sturgeon and do not affect life expectancy.