The Sturgeon as a Garden Pond Fish
The Sturgeon as a Garden Pond Fish
The sturgeon are a family of bony fish. Some species can reach a length of up to six metres. Sturgeon fish are common in the northern hemisphere in North America, Europe and North and Central Asia.
Most sturgeon normally live in the sea. However, there are also some species that live exclusively in freshwater. Due to its original and imposing appearance, the sturgeon is now also becoming increasingly popular with pond owners.
In the following, we will explain which sturgeon species are suitable for the domestic garden pond and what is important for keeping them. You will also learn what you need to pay attention to when feeding the fish.
Lifestyle of the sturgeon
Sturgeons live mainly on the bottom of the water, where most species of small crustaceans, worms, insect larvae and molluscs feed. However, some species also eat larger prey, such as fish.
All sturgeons reproduce in freshwater. However, many sturgeon species are so-called migratory fish, which normally live in the sea and only visit rivers to spawn. One of the sturgeon species that live exclusively in freshwater is the sterlet.
Although sturgeons are relatively slow swimmers, they are extremely active fish that are practically always on the move. This is necessary for them to be able to absorb sufficient oxygen. This fact must also be taken into account when keeping them in garden ponds.
Which sturgeons can be kept in the garden pond
In total there are about 26 different sturgeon species. However, not all of these are suitable by far for keeping in a garden pond. Particularly in the case of very large species with a length of several metres, the enormous body size makes it practically impossible to offer the sturgeon in the garden pond even remotely species-appropriate living conditions.
Nevertheless, there are some sturgeons that are quite suitable as pond fish and also develop quite well if kept in a species-appropriate manner.
The following sturgeons, among others, are suitable for keeping in a garden pond:
- Sternhausen (length up to 2.20 m)
- Siberian sturgeon (length up to 2,00 m)
- Sterlet (length up to 1,20 m)
- Wax thickness (length up to 2,30 m)
- Diamond sturgeon (cross between Waxdick and Sterlet, length up to 1.20 m)
How old does a sturgeon get?
The life expectancy of sturgeon fish depends on various factors and also varies considerably from species to species. While the European sturgeon can live to a proud 150 years, other species reach a much lower age.
For example, the sterlet, which is very popular for garden ponds, rarely lives longer than 25 years, while the life expectancy of the waxdick is around 50 years.
Tips for keeping the sturgeon in the pond
The pond needs to be big enough for your sturgeon.
Depending on the planned stocking, this can sometimes mean that the garden pond should have a diameter of around 10 metres. The water should also be at least 1.50 metres deep.
Sturgeons feel particularly comfortable in flowing water, which is why it’s advisable to install a flow pump.
Sturgeons need clean water with a high oxygen content and feel comfortable in a pond that is a maximum of 20 degrees.
The sturgeon prefers a soft layer of loam or pond clay where it can search for food. Sand or pebbles should be avoided, because the sturgeon's snout is very sensitive.
Planting of a garden pond for sturgeon
The planting of a garden pond in which sturgeons are kept should be manageable. Straight thread algae can quickly become a serious problem for the fish. This is because sturgeons cannot swim backwards. They can easily get tangled up in the algae and even die as a result.
Therefore, make sure that the growth in your pond does not get out of hand and regularly thin out the existing planting for the benefit of your sturgeon if necessary.
Keeping sturgeon with other fish
In principle, sturgeon can be kept together with other fish such as koi carp in one pond. However, in this case it is important to note that Koi eat much faster and are happy to eat the food of their roommates if they get the opportunity.
One consequence of this is that sturgeons sometimes do not get enough to eat. On the other hand the composition of sturgeon food is only conditionally suitable for Koi carp, which should always be fed with special Koi food.
In order to avoid problems when feeding both fish species in the same pond, it can be helpful to distract the Koi carps while feeding the sturgeon on the other side of the pond with their own food.
What do sturgeons eat?
Sturgeons are carnivores and primarily eat worms, insect larvae and molluscs, which they sweep together with the barbels on the bottom of their mouths. Some sturgeon species also feed on larger prey such as fish.
However, this is the exception rather than the rule, which is why most sturgeon depend on finding sufficient food at the bottom of their waters.
If you want to keep sturgeons in your garden pond, you must of course take this into account and provide the fish with suitable sinking food that they can take up from the bottom of the pond.
High quality sturgeon food from Aquaris
For the growth and well-being of your sturgeon, a high-quality and species-appropriate food is indispensable. When buying, pay particular attention to the composition and bulk density. A large bag with a low weight is usually a clear indication of poor quality of the contents.
With sturgeon food from Aquaris you are exactly right for this purpose. The high-quality food provides your sturgeon with exactly the nutrients they need for a healthy development.
In addition, sturgeon food from Aquaris is characterised by good digestibility, so that the water in your garden pond is not unnecessarily polluted and the risk of disease for your sturgeons can be reduced optimally.
The sturgeon in your garden pond - our conclusion
As you can see, sturgeons are undoubtedly among the more demanding fish that can be kept in a garden pond. But as long as you provide these impressive animals with a sufficiently large water tank and make sure that the food you buy is of good quality, the sturgeon will be an attractive pond inhabitant that you will enjoy for a long time.
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