STURGEON SPECIES
This section is a brief description of the most common species of Sturgeon you will find for sale.
Diamond Sturgeon-Acipenser Gueldenstaedtii
This species is often sold as a 'Hybrid', but it is a true species. They can reach a massive 2.3m in length, but approximately 1.25m in the average garden pond. It is one of the faster growing species, only second in growth rate. The Diamond species is very pretty when young, with beautifull markings, but they can often loose this as it grows, becoming grey/black in colour.
The Diamond Sturgeon is probably the most popular of them all you will see for sale, but it is not recommended for small ponds or aquariums. The minimum pond should be 2000 gallons (9000 litres).
The Diamond Sturgeon will not tolerate low oxygen levels or temperatures over 25°C, see our section on 'what Sturgeon want' for more information regarding water quality. We do not advise to buy these fish under 8", as they are at their most vulnerable time.
This is a lovely picture of one of our Diamond Sturgeons
 Some of our smaller Diamonds
Siberian Sturgeon-Acipenser Baerii
The Siberian Sturgeon is another popular species you will see for sale. It is easier to breed than some of the other species and is also a very quick grower with very few health problems.
The Siberian Sturgeon reaches a maximum length of 2m (6 ½ft) in the wild, but more like 1.2m in the garden pond. This species will outgrow most ponds, so will need plenty of room to grow.
The skin is brown/grey and sometimes black in colour, the ventral (underside) is whiteish. They also have a white tip on the end of their nose. Sometimes you may come across a silver Siberian for sale, but these are rare and very expensive, but would make a lovely addition to your pond.
 5ft Siberian that has been fed on our pellet food.
Sterlet Sturgeon-Acipenser Ruthenus
The Sterlet is probably the slowest growing species of then all that you will see for sale. Growing to only 1.2m in length in the wild, but only reaching approximately 60-90cm in the pond over approximately 10 years. It is easy to distinguish from the Siberian Sturgeon, as it has a white edge to the pectoral (front) fins and when it is young a distinguished white line along the back and down both sides.
This species is excellent for the beginner. With it being slow growing it won't outgrow your pond and is the most tolerant of any pond problems you may have.
The Albino Sterlet is another popular species and a must for those who want something different in their pond, it truely is a beautiful fish to invest in.
Albino Sterlet
Stellate Sturgeon-Acipenser Stellatus
The Stellate Sturgeon is best known as the Stellatus or Starry Sturgeon.
This is one of the easiest species to recognise as the nose/head is upto 25% of the total length of the fish. With its black skin and white/cream ventral (underside) and very pronounced scutes (the bony plates) the Stellate Sturgeon will keep its beautiful markings as it grows, unlike the Diamond Sturgeon.
The Stellate Sturgeon grows to a maximum of 1.5-1.8m in the wild, but in a large pond 1m is normally achieveable, although it is better suited to the smaller garden pond than the Diamond.
Stellate Sturgeon are known for jumping up the side of ponds/tanks, being a keen swimmer, so ensure you have some sort of barrier/net to stop them jumping out.
A Picture of some of our small Stellatus
A larger Stellatus approximately 30"
Hybrid Sturgeon
Hybrid Sturgeon, as like many animals are bred to get the best from both parents. All Sturgeon species can be crossed with each other, but not all Hybrids are fertile. They are becoming more and more popular so you may see different types of Hybrid for sale. The most common are:
Siberian X Diamond
Siberiand X Sterlet
Diamond X Sterlet
Italian X Diamond
Beluga Sturgeon-Huso Huso
This is the largest growing species of Sturgeon, it has been recorded of growing to 9m (29ft) in length and weighing a massive 1400kgs, although the average size you will find in the wild now is approximately 57kgs, due to excessive hunting for its roe, or Caviar as we know it.
It is a very quick growing species and is only suitable for the very large pond or better still for lakes. It is not advisable to keep in a pond with small fish or animals. Minimum pond size should be at least 15,000 gallons (70,000 litres).
The Beluga Sturgeon have steel blue to grey/black skin with a slightly lighter ventral and white/cream bony scutes down its back.
Our Huso's have all been fed using pellets and not live fish/animals.
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