White sturgeon

Quick facts

Adult size

200 cm, 100000 g typical harvest weight

Days to harvest

1095 to 2920 days from fingerling

Lifespan (max)

up to 100 years

Diet

carnivore

Temperature class

cold-water

Difficulty

advanced

Water parameters

Temperature range

4–22°C (optimum 16°C)

pH

7 to 8.5

Hardness

5 to 25 dGH

Minimum tank

8000 L per individual at harvest size

Feed and growth

Feed protein

45% 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

30 g per litre of system water

A 100000g adult eats about 1000.0 g of feed per day at optimum temperature. For a roster of 10 fish at adult size, that's around 10000 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 large rivers and estuaries along the Pacific coast of North America, from Alaska south through British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest to central California. The species (Acipenser transmontanus) is the largest freshwater fish in North America, reaching 6 m and over 600 kg historically, though modern fish rarely exceed 3 m and 200 kg due to heavy fishing pressure and dam impacts. White sturgeon are anadromous in some populations and resident freshwater in others (notably the Columbia River). The species is the basis of the US domestic sturgeon and caviar industry, with aquaculture operations primarily in California (Sacramento Valley) producing both white sturgeon caviar ($200-600/kg retail) and meat ($15-30/kg). Wild populations are protected and commercially harvested only in limited fisheries.

Climate and outdoor ponds

Climate classification

cold-water (cool water required, dies in heat)

Outdoor pond zones (USDA)

4 to 9 (winter low around -34°C or warmer)

Heating in a temperate climate

Not required (handles seasonal cool periods)

Cooling in a temperate climate

Required if your summer water temperatures exceed the upper tolerance

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 large-scale, long-term aquaculture species for premium caviar and meat production, not suited to typical home aquaponics due to the size, timeline, and investment required. White sturgeon are the fastest-growing North American sturgeon: 1–3 kg per year under optimal conditions, reaching meat-harvest size (3–8 kg) in 3-6 years. Females mature at 12-20 years for caviar production, which requires a multi-decade business plan. Temperature range: 8–24°C, optimal at 15–19°C. Growth on high-quality sturgeon pellet (42-48% protein) produces FCR of 1.3-1.8. Dissolved oxygen above 5 mg/L; ammonia below 0.5 mg/L. Stocking density in RAS: 20-40 g/L for juveniles, decreasing as fish grow larger. White sturgeon are the foundation of the US domestic caviar industry, with California's Sacramento Valley farms producing substantial quantities of premium white caviar that competes directly with Caspian imports. Several California operations have integrated hydroponic plant production with their RAS waste water streams, demonstrating sturgeon aquaponics at commercial scale. The economics work because white sturgeon caviar ($200-600/kg) and meat ($15-30/kg) are both premium products. Fingerlings are available from sturgeon farms in California, Oregon, and Idaho. Culture permits are typically required. CITES regulations govern international trade in all sturgeon products including caviar and meat.

Further reading

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