Sterlet & Albino Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus)
By Graham Quick & Terry White
The Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) is probably the slowest growing and therefore the best species for the garden pond. It 'only' grows to 1.2m in the wild but usually up to 1m in the average pond although individual specimens can vary in size, sometimes only reaching 60cm. The Sterlet is easy to distinguish from the Siberian Sturgeon as it has white edges to the pectoral (front) fins. When young the Sterlet also has a white line along the back and down both sides. The Sterlet is slow growing and one of the easiest sturgeon to keep, and is the most tolerant of pond 'problems'.
A good fish for the beginner. It is from the same family of sturgeon as the Stellatus, Siberian, Italian and Diamond sturgeons.
Often sold as 'Dwarf Sterlets', they are true sturgeon; Sterlets can reach 1.2m and 16 kg in weight. Extra oxygenation in the summer months is essential. Sterlets do not tolerate strong treatments such as formalin.
Videos of Sterlets and Albino Sterlets (Acipenser ruthenus)
The Albino Sterlet is ideal for a pond due to the maximum size of 1m being reached only over a long period of time. Albino Sterlets can range in colour from pure white to orange-brown.
recommended Pond Size
Sterlets can be kept in ponds of 1,000 - 2,000 gallons (4,500 - 9,000 litres) for many years but bigger is better, 2,000 - 3,000 gallons (9,000 - 13,500 litres) is recommended if you want to keep the fish into adulthood.
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Taxonomy
Links: Encyclopedia of Life | FAO Species Fact Sheet | Fishbase | ITIS | Pond Life | World Register of Marine Species
Common Names: Albino Sterlet, Sterlet, Sterlet Sturgeon