POSSIBILITIES OF STURGEON CULTURE IN CENTRAL-EUROPE

Forms of sturgeon especially suitable for culture are the hybrid beluga (Huso huso) ♀ × sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) ♂, which is known as the bester, and the Siberian sturgeon (A. baeri). Apart from in the Soviet Union, first promising experiments on sturgeon culture have been carried out in several European countries (G.D.R., Hungary, France) and Japan as well as the U.S.A. The F1 hybrid beluga×sterlet is fully fertile and artificial propagation of bester and other sturgeons is possible without difficulties by means of injection of pituitary glands or releasing hormones. The fry prefer live food; later on it is advisable to feed the fish with moist and dry diets. In the field of sturgeon nutrition further investigation is desirable. Sturgeons grow very fast in heated water. During the first 6 years a bester can attain on average body weights of 0.250 kg, 1-2 kg, 2-4 kg, 4-6 kg, 6-8 kg, and 8-10 kg respectively. The highest mortality occurs within the first weeks of rearing. Bigger sturgeon are extremely hardy and suffer only very few losses. © 1990.