Lake sturgeon
Acipenser fulvescens
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 5000 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 45% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 0.80% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.40% of body weight
- Max density
- 30 g per litre
A 25000 g adult eats about 200.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~2000 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | restricted | CITES Appendix II; international trade requires permits verified 2026-05-13 |
| California | prohibited | verified 2026-05-13 |
| Michigan | permit required | Native species; aquaculture requires state and federal permits verified 2026-05-13 |
| European Union (bloc) | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
Native to large rivers and lakes across central and eastern North America, from the Great Lakes and Hudson Bay drainage south through the Mississippi basin to Alabama. The species (Acipenser fulvescens) is the largest freshwater fish in North America by weight, reaching 2 m and over 100 kg, with a lifespan exceeding 100 years. Lake sturgeon are ancient fish (the family Acipenseridae has existed for over 200 million years) with a shark-like body shape, bony scutes instead of scales, and a vacuum-like ventral mouth adapted for bottom-feeding on invertebrates. Wild populations have been severely depleted by overfishing, dam construction, and habitat loss; the species is listed as threatened or endangered in most of its range. Aquaculture interest focuses on caviar production, as sturgeon roe is the most valuable aquaculture product in the world.
Climate and outdoor ponds
- Climate
- cold-water (cool water required, dies in heat)
- USDA zones
- 2–7 (winter low around -46°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- yes, if summer water exceeds upper tolerance
Care notes
A specialty species for large-scale, long-term aquaculture operations, not suited to typical aquaponics. Lake sturgeon grow slowly: they reach sexual maturity at 15-25 years for females (which is when they produce roe for caviar) and 8-15 years for males. Growing a fish for two decades before it produces its primary product is not practical for home or small-scale systems. For meat production, younger fish can be harvested at 3–5 kg (4-6 years old), but even this timeline far exceeds what most aquaponics operators are willing to manage. Temperature range: 10–24°C, optimal at 16–20°C. Dissolved oxygen above 5 mg/L. Feed: sinking pellet (40-45% protein), supplemented with live or frozen invertebrates for juvenile fish. FCR is approximately 1.5-2.5. Stocking density: 10-20 g/L for juveniles, lower for adults. Lake sturgeon are protected in many states and require special permits for culture. Fingerlings are available from a few hatcheries associated with conservation restocking programs. The economics of sturgeon aquaculture work only at commercial scale with a 15-25 year business plan focused on caviar ($500-2000/kg for domestic sturgeon caviar). Not recommended for aquaponics.