All fish / Acipenseridae

Sterlet

Acipenser ruthenus

Also known as sterlet sturgeon, pond sturgeon, albino sterlet, sterlett, starlet sturgeon, dwarf sturgeon, ปลาสเตอร์เจียน, コチョウザメ, 小体鲟

The sterlet is one of the smallest sturgeons, with a long pointed snout, fringed barbels and five rows of bony plates along its body. It is kept mainly in garden ponds for its prehistoric look and calm, constantly cruising behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

60 cm

Temperature

10 to 20 °C

pH

7 to 8

Smallest tank

10000 litres

Keep as

Can be kept alone or in small groups in a large pond

Diet

Carnivore: sinking sturgeon pellets, bloodworm, earthworms, chironomid larvae and small invertebrates

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

20 to 25 years

Water

Freshwater

Wild range

Rivers of the Black, Azov and Caspian Sea basins, plus the Ob, Yenisei and northern Dvina systems in Russia

Breeding

In the wild it migrates upriver to spawn over gravel in fast, cool water in spring. Pond breeding is practically unknown, and stock is produced in fish farms using hormone-induced spawning.

Good to know

It needs a large, cool, well-oxygenated pond and outgrows almost every aquarium, often exceeding 80 cm with age. It is listed under CITES Appendix II and as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, so buy only legal captive-bred fish and never release it.