Russian sturgeon

Quick facts

Adult size

150 cm, 25000 g typical harvest weight

Days to harvest

2555 to 4380 days from fingerling

Lifespan (max)

up to 50 years

Diet

carnivore

Temperature class

cool-water

Difficulty

advanced

Water parameters

Temperature range

4–24°C (optimum 18°C)

pH

6.5 to 8

Hardness

5 to 20 dGH

Minimum tank

5000 L per individual at harvest size

Feed and growth

Feed protein

42% target

Daily feed (warm water)

1.00% of body weight per day

Daily feed (cool water)

0.40% of body weight per day

Max stocking density

45 g per litre of system water

A 25000g adult eats about 250.0 g of feed per day at optimum temperature. For a roster of 10 fish at adult size, that's around 2500 g of feed daily.

Legality

Aquaculture and possession rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. This table reflects regulations as of the verified date on each row. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.

Jurisdictions not listed here default to "check local regulations". A non-listing is not a green light; rules in your specific county or municipality may apply.

Habitat and origin

Native to the Caspian Sea, Black Sea, Sea of Azov, and their tributary rivers, including the Volga, Danube, Ural, and Don. The species (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) is one of the most commercially valuable sturgeon species because it produces osetra caviar, which is among the most prized and expensive caviars in the world ($200-800/kg retail). Adults reach 2 m and over 100 kg, though most cultured fish are harvested at 5–15 kg after 7-12 years (when females first produce mature roe). Wild populations have been decimated by overfishing, dam construction, and pollution; the species is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Aquaculture production of Russian sturgeon for caviar and meat has grown substantially since the 2000s, with farms in Europe, China, the Middle East, and the Americas partially replacing the wild Caspian fishery.

Climate and outdoor ponds

Climate classification

temperate (handles seasonal swings)

Outdoor pond zones (USDA)

4 to 8 (winter low around -34°C or warmer)

Heating in a temperate climate

Not required (handles seasonal cool periods)

Cooling in a temperate climate

Not required

Zone bounds reflect year-round outdoor pond viability with no active heating. Anywhere outside the bounded zone, the species can still be kept in an indoor heated tank or a seasonally-managed system. Verify your specific microclimate, as a sheltered yard zone can run a half-zone warmer than the regional rating.

Care notes

A long-term, high-investment aquaculture species grown primarily for premium caviar production. Not suited to typical aquaponics because the payoff requires 7-12 years of grow-out before females produce roe. Meat production is a secondary revenue stream: sturgeon flesh is firm, white, and well-flavored, selling at $15-30/kg. Temperature range: 4–26°C, optimal at 18–22°C. Growth on sturgeon pellet (42-48% protein) is moderate: 1–2 kg per year. FCR is 1.5-2.0. Dissolved oxygen above 5 mg/L; ammonia below 1 mg/L. Stocking density in RAS: 20-40 g/L for juveniles, lower for adults. The economics of sturgeon farming are driven entirely by caviar: a single female producing 1–2 kg of osetra caviar every 2-3 years after maturity generates far more revenue than the meat. Several commercial sturgeon farms have integrated plant production with their RAS waste streams, making sturgeon aquaponics a viable concept at commercial scale. Fingerlings are available from sturgeon farms in Europe, the US (primarily California and Florida), Israel, and China. Permits are required in some jurisdictions. CITES regulations govern international trade in sturgeon products.

Further reading

• Aquaponics water chemistry: balancing pH for fish and plants
• Fish for aquaponics: tilapia vs everything else