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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Sept 15, 2006 18:23:35 GMT
Hello there all you lovely people  Hubby and I bought a small sterlot (about 8inches long) about 2 months ago. We call him Earl and he is very very friendly and loves to be stroked and tickled  Only thing is, I'm not sure what size he can grow to! We've heard some horrendous stories of them reaching huge proportions and eating small pets and children ! I don't want to get rid of him, just want to be prepared!! SS x |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2006 15:47:11 GMT
Hi susie - according to one of my many books - Sterlet - Acipenser ruthenus - average size 80cm (32") possibly reaching a weight of 16kg (35 pounds) 
Siberian sturgeons - Acipenser bareri - will grow to 2m (6 foot)
To distinguish between the two, the sterlet has white edges to it's fins and nose and a darker grey-coloured skin. The sturgeon has a brown-tinted skin and no white edges to it's fins, but it quite often has a white nose.But take care that he doesn't get tangled in blanket weed, which could kill him  Earl sounds very friendly BTW  |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Sept 16, 2006 17:47:24 GMT
Thanks a mill Rita Earl definately has white tips (phew) so I think I can cope with 32"  SS x |
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Post by sweetleaf on Sept 16, 2006 20:19:51 GMT
32" is almost 3 feet long..but fish usually are restricted by the size of the tank/pool they are in, and rarely reach maximum size in a restricted area.
I had some catfish once which were meant to reach 30" or so but which stopped growing at about 15" due, I was told to the restictions of the tank, I sold them to a keeper who could provide them with more space, and growth resumed.
I assume you are not going to put other fish in with him?
It might provide him with entertainment and a snack, but it would be an expensive way of feeding him, lol
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Sept 17, 2006 15:21:35 GMT
Errrrrrm, he's already got some fishy friends Does this mean that if Earl grows at a quicker rate than the carp then he will gobble them all up? I can feel another pond coming on  Thanks for your help Sweetleaf. SS x |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2006 15:34:23 GMT
From my book again CompatibilityThe sterlet will mix with any fish, but has been known to eat small tench if they do not move out of its way as it searches the bottom for food.FoodThese bottom feeders need good quality sinking food as a staple diet; surface feeding is very difficult for them to cope with. For best results, offer them high protein sinking food available from trout farms or specialist fish retailers. The sterlet will also eat chopped worms, fish and snails. Oh dear |
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Post by Chuckles on Nov 26, 2006 11:46:20 GMT
How's Earl doing these days Susie has he grown much in the 4 months you've had him. |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Nov 28, 2006 8:01:00 GMT
He's absolutely fine ;D. Hard to tell how much he's grown really well, put it this way, he still fits in the pond S x |
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Post by madonplants on Nov 28, 2006 13:59:41 GMT
Susie, did the shop where you bought him from, not tell you how large it could grow to?
Keith
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Nov 29, 2006 17:49:34 GMT
Hiya Keith........................about 3ft isn't it S |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2006 20:55:44 GMT
Snowy
My sister-in-law and her hubby had a couple of them in their pond. Not sure why but they had a thunderstorm one night and the big one died. The lightning definitely didn't hit the pond or anywhere near because all the other fish were fine. I don't know if it was just coincidence but it may be something to bear in mind.
FA x
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Nov 29, 2006 21:00:50 GMT
Thanks Beefy............. S x |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2006 9:12:33 GMT
Snowy My sister-in-law and her hubby had a couple of them in their pond. Not sure why but they had a thunderstorm one night and the big one died. The lightning definitely didn't hit the pond or anywhere near because all the other fish were fine. I don't know if it was just coincidence but it may be something to bear in mind. FA x Hot and humid weather associated with thunderstorms could have been the cause |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2006 8:09:42 GMT
Hi, Just to say our sterlet died yesterday for no apparent reason, maybe they are sensitive to the weather. OH was gutted he loves his fish. Sara |
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Post by Chuckles on Dec 6, 2006 8:15:55 GMT
Oh no,  |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Dec 6, 2006 8:50:12 GMT
Hi, Just to say our sterlet died yesterday for no apparent reason, maybe they are sensitive to the weather. OH was gutted he loves his fish. Sara That is sad Sara , I can understand that your OH was upset. Is there anything I can do to protect Earl....anybody? S x |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Dec 6, 2006 8:53:55 GMT
OH has gone to check on Earl......we're really worried now S x |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2006 8:58:33 GMT
Hi, Just to say our sterlet died yesterday for no apparent reason, maybe they are sensitive to the weather. OH was gutted he loves his fish. Sara Sad news indeed How old was your sterlet? |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Dec 6, 2006 9:15:32 GMT
Thought you might know something about sterlets Rita S x |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 6, 2006 11:28:25 GMT
Thought you might know something about sterlets Rita S x Sorry Susie I don't, but Andy might My pond books don't give much information either, I only have goldfish and golden orfe in my pond. |
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Post by andy on Dec 6, 2006 11:38:06 GMT
Chances are Susie that your sturgeon either starved to death or the water conditions were not spot on.
Many people keep these fish in koi ponds where water circulation and aeration is good, filteration is superb and food is varied and well balanced.
Chances are that your fish didn't put enough body fat on in late summer/early autumn when the weather was warm and there just hasn't been enough food for it to live on.
I would personally never keep one, although i do know a few people who have kept them for many years.....all in koi ponds.
HTH
Andy
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Dec 6, 2006 16:05:14 GMT
Thought you might know something about sterlets Rita S x Sorry Susie I don't, but Andy might My pond books don't give much information either, I only have goldfish and golden orfe in my pond. Thanks anyway Rita. |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Dec 6, 2006 16:06:15 GMT
Chances are Susie that your sturgeon either starved to death or the water conditions were not spot on. Many people keep these fish in koi ponds where water circulation and aeration is good, filteration is superb and food is varied and well balanced. Chances are that your fish didn't put enough body fat on in late summer/early autumn when the weather was warm and there just hasn't been enough food for it to live on. I would personally never keep one, although i do know a few people who have kept them for many years.....all in koi ponds. HTH Andy Thanks for the info Andy but....errmmmm..................Earl is still alive and kicking S |
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Post by andy on Dec 6, 2006 18:42:31 GMT
Sorry Susie...it was Sara who i meant to reply to........too many girlies with names beginning with S. Just hope i don't get you two mixed up with my wife....who's name is Sharon |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Dec 6, 2006 19:09:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2006 7:52:17 GMT
Thanks Andy, Water quality is excellent and he/she was eating fine and survied the troubles we had earlier in the year where we lost lots of Koi. Sara |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2006 15:17:51 GMT
Hi, Just to say our sterlet died yesterday for no apparent reason, maybe they are sensitive to the weather. OH was gutted he loves his fish. Sara That is sad Sara , I can understand that your OH was upset. Is there anything I can do to protect Earl....anybody? S x Just thought I would add to what Andy has said Make sure any blanket weed is kept in check as I understand that they can get tangled in it and die Also make sure that your sterlet gets enough to eat through the spring, summer and autumn, as all pond fish need to gain enough weight to get them through the winter. |
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Post by Susie Snowdrop on Feb 5, 2007 18:07:46 GMT
Well <touchwoodsmiley> Earl is still thriving and looking as handsome as ever I know not to feed the Earl and his buddies if the temperature drops below about 5 and then, if they are asking to be fed, I give them a wheatgerm feed. Earl has his own special food, i.e. sinking pellets. Should I be feeding Earl with this food during the winter or not? I know fish cannot digest food below a certain temp so I don't want to give him the wrong stuff! As you know, the pond's relatively new so there is not much else to feed on at the moment. Any help, Rita or Andy (?) would be supa dupa ;D S x |
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Post by madonplants on Feb 5, 2007 18:26:30 GMT
I am not feeding mine atm and haven't since the first frost last year, when the water temp came down. This article maybe is the quick way I can tell you. I am sure there are other articles, but this is the best one that came up, after searching. Hope it helps Keith www.lifeforceonline.co.uk/pond_food.html |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2007 18:26:35 GMT
Good to hear that Earl is still doing well  I would say no to feeding him though Susie - I can't imagine that Earl's digestive system is any different to that of goldfish or koi etc.  Andy - do you agree? |
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