White sturgeon
Acipenser transmontanus
Also known asColumbia River sturgeon
Water parameters
Minimum tank: 8000 L per individual at harvest size.
Feed and growth
- Feed protein
- 45% target
- Daily feed (warm)
- 1.00% of body weight
- Daily feed (cool)
- 0.40% of body weight
- Max density
- 30 g per litre
A 100000 g adult eats about 1000.0 g of feed per day at optimum. 10 fish at adult size: ~10000 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 | permit required | Major US caviar production state; commercial licenses required verified 2026-05-13 |
| Idaho | permit required | verified 2026-05-13 |
Unlisted jurisdictions default to "check local regulations".
Origin and habitat
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
- cold-water (cool water required, dies in heat)
- USDA zones
- 4–9 (winter low around -34°C or warmer)
- Heating needed
- no
- Cooling needed
- yes, if summer water exceeds upper tolerance
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.