So today I went by my LFS just to look around. Ended up grabbing 3 flying foxes, a really perdy Krip "cichlid"....and as I was getting ready to leave....I saw it. $25 for a fish is def expensive....but he was just too cool! Not to mention he looked rather outa place with the fancy goldfish tank mates.

So I am now the proud owner of a 6" long Sturgeon! I know he will out grow my 55g tank, but I figured that I can provide a decent home for a few years...upgrade or send him to a better home after. But for now....yah....he is soo soo so very cool.


Def a good day

Very irresponsible on the fish store,they should not be able to sell fish like that.

The store should not have sold you a Sturgeon, they are illegal to own..

I've seen them in public aquariums, not only will it outgrow your tank, it will likely get bigger than your tank!
This is a good page: Aquarium Sturgeons

By Federal law these fish are on the endangered spices list and is 50,000.00 dallar fine and up to 2 yrs. prison time. Now if I knew where you lived I would turn you, and the fish store in for selling the fish...

While I don't condone illegal trade in fish we don't have much information here. Does the poster even live in the US? There are many different species of Sturgeon and just because it was sold as a sturgeon doesn't necessarily mean it is really a sturgeon at all. It doesn't seem like the poster was aware he was breaking the law when he bought the fish. I'd urge squirrel502 to find out more and if needed contact the authorities or a local public aquarium to find out what to do next.

To Sweetgreenleaf.....you should know that your information is false. White Sturgeon is NOT illegal to buy or own "all though I will consed that it is immoral for aquariums". In fact they are openly sold for ponds here in california: "http://www.proaqua.com/", heck even liveaquaria sells them seasonally. That being said, your pompous threat to have me arrested for a purchase did prompt me to spend quite a few hours researching the topic. But all things being equal....you are still a F*ing ******* for that response.

now, I have decided to contact the local fish and game department to obtain advise on what I can do for the little guy, as I have been worried about him for the past few days because he is not eating. GG for the weekend, so will have to make that call on Monday.

Lets try to keep this convo civil guys.

We here of course do not condone the ownership of illegal species,but before accusing and threatening,proper research needs to be done.

Also its rude to threaten like this anyhow,and it leads to bickering throughout the thread.So please,no more rude comments.

__________________
http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

As for short term care, make sure water quality is good. Try giving it some peace and quiet and offer some meaty foods to get it to eat (be careful about getting the water too messed up). Has it ever eaten for you? If it suddenly stopped it may be ill. If it never ate for you it might be used to different food. Most likely to tempt it would be live food like ghost shrimp. It's good that you have been doing research anyway.

More information:
Trout,Steelhead and Pacific White Sturgeon for pond stocking

Why they don't make good aquarium fish:
White sturgeon – Acipenser transmontanus | Dummidumbwit's Weblog

there are 4 or 5 types of sturgeon, Only 2 or 3 are endangered. It could have been a farm raised or un-endangered variety.

__________________
55 gallon FW community
20 gallon Goldfish
10 gallon firebelly toad

This is not meant to be any attack there are more than 7 spices of Sturgeon on the endangered spices act just go online here is a quote from info I found online:
" Penalties and Enforcement (ESA § 11). Criminal penalties of up to $50,000 or imprisonment for one year, or both, and civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, may be assessed against a person who knowingly violates, or a person engaged in business as an importer or exporter of fish, wildlife or plants who violates, a provision of the Act or its regulations relating to: importing or exporting, taking, possessing, selling, delivering, carrying, transporting, or shipping after taking; participating in interstate or foreign commerce or any commercial activity of any endangered species of fish, wildlife or plants in violation of CITES; engaging in business as an importer or exporter of fish, wildlife, plants, or African elephant ivory, or importing into or exporting from other than a designated port without first obtaining permission of the Secretary; soliciting, attempting to solicit, or causing to be committed any prohibited act. Criminal penalties of up to $25,000, imprisonment of six months, or both, and civil penalties of up to $12,000 per violation, may be assessed against a person who knowingly violates, or a person engaged in business as an importer or exporter who violates, other regulations issued under the Act. A person who otherwise violates a provision of the Act or a regulation, permit or certificate may be assessed a civil penalty of $500 per violation. (The maximum criminal fines noted in this paragraph are those stated in the Endangered Species Act; however, the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984, as amended in 1987, increases the fines that may be imposed. See the summary of the Sentencing Reform Act in this Handbook.)

A federal lease, license, permit or other agreement to import or export fish, wildlife or plants, operate a quarantine station for imported wildlife, or use federal lands (including grazing domestic livestock) may be modified, suspended or revoked by the head of the authorizing federal agency upon a criminal conviction under the Act. The Secretary must suspend for up to one year or cancel the federal hunting or fishing permits of a person convicted of a criminal violation under the Act.

No penalty may be assessed without notice and opportunity for a hearing. No penalty can be assessed if the defendant committed an act in good faith to protect himself or herself, a family member or any other person from bodily harm from a threatened or endangered species. Criminal actions are prosecuted in the federal district courts. Civil penalties are imposed by the Secretary, who can ask the Attorney General to bring a civil action in district court if the violator fails to pay the penalty imposed.

Using money received as penalties, fines, or forfeitures of property, the Secretary or the Secretary of the Treasury must pay a reward for information leading to arrest, criminal conviction, civil penalty assessment or forfeiture of property for violation of the Act, unless the information was provided by a local, state or federal employee in the performance of official duties. The monies are to be used also to pay reasonable and necessary costs incurred for the care of fish, wildlife or plant pending disposition of the proceedings. When the balance received exceeds $500,000, the Secretary of the Treasury is required to deposit an amount equal to the excess into the cooperative endangered species conservation fund.

The Act directs the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary in charge of the Coast Guard to enforce the Act's provisions and any regulations or permits issued pursuant to it. In doing so, they may use the personnel, facilities and services of any other federal or state agency. Persons authorized by the Secretaries may: detain and inspect containers and accompanying documents; make arrests without a warrant, but with reasonable grounds; execute and serve arrest, search or other warrants; search and seize, with or without a warrant, as authorized by law. Seized property may be held pending disposition of the proceedings, forfeiture actions may be instituted, or sureties or bonds may be permitted. Abandoned or forfeited property must be disposed of in a manner consistent with the purposes of the Act. All species obtained or transported in violation of the Act and all property used are subject to forfeiture to the U.S. The Secretaries may promulgate regulations to enforce the Act and may charge reasonable fees connected with permits or certificates and the care of seized specimens and evidentiary items. The Attorney General may seek injunctions for violations of the Act.

All laws relating to seizures, forfeitures, and condemnation and disposition of a vessel for violations of a customs law apply to seizures under this Act, except that the powers, rights and duties imposed on an officer shall be exercised by the Secretary or the Secretary's agent.

Any person may file a civil action: to enjoin a person, including a governmental entity, alleged to be in violation of the Act; to compel the Secretary to apply emergency listing procedures or protective measures against the taking of a resident threatened or endangered species within a state; against the Secretary alleging a failure to determine a species as threatened or endangered, or no longer so, if the determination is not discretionary with the Secretary. The district courts have jurisdiction to enforce the Act's provisions and regulations, or to order the Secretary to perform an act or duty. In a civil action, the district court may compel the Secretary to enforce a prohibition if it finds that an emergency exists. Citizen suits to enjoin a person or to compel the Secretary to declare an emergency listing or take protective measures may not be commenced without a 60-day notice given to the alleged violator.

An action may be commenced within the 60-day notification period if the action is alleging that the Secretary is failing to perform a duty respecting an emergency posing a significant risk to the well-being of a species. Suit may be brought in the judicial district where the violation occurs, and, if the U.S. is not a party, the Attorney General may intervene for the U.S. The court may award attorney fees to any party where appropriate. Injunctive relief does not preclude a party from seeking enforcement or other relief under another statute or common law.

The Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture must coordinate the administration of the Act with the animal quarantine laws. The Act does not limit or supersede the functions of the Secretary of Agriculture or the Treasury relating to prohibitions or restrictions on importation or possession of wildlife or other animals. § 1540."

According to Wilkipedia

I don't know what type of sturgeon it is,my original comment was about the size they can reach.IMO pet store ownwners should have to obtain a special permit to buy any fish that gets over 36" long and in turn who ever is buying these fish should have to buy the same permit. The Fish and game in each state should follow up on these permits every 6 months to make sure these fish are housed properly and are being taken care of.People buy these fish with a 20 gal. and have big plans of a giant tank (which almost always never happens) and then these fish suffer in a small tank,they die, or are turned loose in our waterways because the person can't find or does not try to find a suitable place for the animal.

True, as far as I know all species get huge.

26 types of sturgeon? Really. I was going by the PA issued Fish Identification Guide. They list 5 types, one candidate and 2 endangered. i had no idea there was 26...

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55 gallon FW community
20 gallon Goldfish
10 gallon firebelly toad