Sturgeon in ponds

[woodyaht]

That's a good question and I wish I had a answer. The only lead I can give you is to call (209) 957-6278 and ask for Randy. He's been in the fish business for years and years, he might be able to order you one or since you are a dealer he might be able to put you in touch of the wholesaler.

Quote: Originally Posted by Tom C OK, I want one, how do a find one 1' long or larger. Tom

[bekko]

I am amazed that you could buy a sturgeon in a pet store. There are hatcheries in California, maybe Idaho, Florida, Germany, France, Italy, Russia, etc. to supply research and industrial aquaculture facilities. But, there is always a shortage and they are always hard to come by. In California there are 3-4 commercial sturgeon producers and a lot of sturgeon research going on at UC Davis.

The popular commercial species are white sturgeon from the left coast and Russian sturgeon from the Caspian Sea. For a pet, my favorite would be the shortnose sturgeon from the Carolinas. They only grow to about two feet, are very hardy, and have attractive markings. They are produced in numbers for restocking and restoration. However, shortnose are an endangered species and would be nearly impossible to buy.


The sturgeon pictured above looks pretty young and is not "hardened-off" yet. If you start with one that's 10-12 inches long, you will probably have it forever. They're neat fish. If you find a source, let us know.


-steve hopkins

[woodyaht]

Quote: Originally Posted by bekko They're neat fish. -steve hopkins

When I bought the fish my girlfriend came over and said, Awwww, he's cute. I said cute my a$$, that is the ugliest d#$m fish I have ever seen.

But they are cool!!!!!!!

[Tom C]

Quote: In California there are 3-4 commercial sturgeon producers and a lot of sturgeon research going on at UC Davis.

Steve do you know the name of any of these sturgeon producers?

I'm looking for one that will get somewhat large. A nice 5' to 6' one would be cool.

Tom

[aquitori]

The only way I like sturgeon is on the grill with garlic butter...taste hella good...

[Tom C]

Quote: The only way I like sturgeon is on the grill with garlic butter...taste hella good...

Now you did it, you made me cry. All I wanted is a new friend in the pond.

[bekko]

Tom,

I don't know them personally, but hear the big players are:

Stolt Sea Farm California LLC - in Elverta, north of Sacramento
The Fishery, Inc. - 11583 Valensin Road, Galt, California

Plus there are a bunch of small producers.

Call Fred Conte's office at UC Davis (916) 752-7490 and they can probably put you in touch.

-steve

[Clay]

Tom, we catch those in the rivers with hook and line and when the water gets hard (think ice in Wisconsin) we grab a chainsaw, cut a hellofa hole in the ice and put a shanty over it and spear them through the ice. By the way a 5 or 6' sturgeon isn't going to be 3 or 4 years old. You probably aren't going to grow one to that size even in that monster pond of yours.

Like you said, if they can have grass carp....

Rick

[jwhite]

Interesting coincidence. Our Koi and WG club visited a local middle school last Sunday where instructor Gene Dulac runs a fish farm that has sturgeon in addition to tilapia and shellfish. See photo coverage of our visit at www.floridakoi.org

Gene mentioned that white sturgeon are being raised in California. Sturgeon are considered a protected species and permits are required to have them here in Florida.

Joe

[Koi-Toys]

We have diamond sturgeon for sale at Water Garden Gems in San Antonio. They supposedly reach 3.5' in length, our largest is around 2' currently. Also, we have sterlets which seem to be the smooth type (think doitsu) but only reach 18" or so and come in grey and albino.

Very tame creatures as they are always sticking their heads out of the water looking for food when I walk past. They are also not scared of the net, which makes catching the large koi difficult sometimes because you'll get half a dozen sturgeon in the net with the koi.

~Raymond.