Russian sturgeon
Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
Also known asOscietra
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 5000 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 42% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.00% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.40% of body weight
- Max density
- 45 g per litre
A 25000 g adult eats about 250.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~2500 g daily.
Legality
Rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Verify with your local fisheries or wildlife authority before stocking.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| cites | permit required | CITES Appendix II; all international trade requires permits and proof of legal captive-bred origin verified 2026-05-14 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
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
- temperate (handles seasonal swings)
- USDA zones
- 4–8 (winter low around -34°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- no
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.