New sturgeons lying at the bottom of the pond

[Biktatwo]

Some leftover of medikoi and tetra sturgeon food to finish and then a bit from the orchard fishery

[bowsaw]

personally id stick that in the food collection container and move over the the OF food right away

[theponderer]

You are asking for advice and not taking it. The facts are that you've already experienced dead fish (more than once) and it's heading the same way. Give the sterlet away and stick to goldfish or dig another hole big enough for large fish. You could benefit from watching YouTube videos of successful sturgeon ponds so you better understand the correct environment they thrive in.

[koi4sue]

Am I right in thinking you have 3 sterlets in your pond? If so, the pond is way too small, I'm afraid. Also, I think I'm seeing "jagged edges" and obstacles in your photos? As in bricks or blocks in the water for the fountain or something to stand on? And plants pots? In my experience, that's no good for them, either. They don't like bumping their noses one little bit. You need all smooth edges for them to follow and nothing to shock them. Think of a blind man without his white stick - their eyesight is very poor. You also need *huge* amounts of oxygen - far more than for koi or goldfish.

[theponderer]

After reading a bit latety i dont believe thé others died of u point above. I dont think they were very healthy.

Why do you think the previous fatalities were due to the fish being unhealthy? I have a 2 year old diamond sturgeon that refuses to eat man made food. It spends every minute scouring the pond wall picking off fly larvae, snails whatever it can find. It is a third of the size it should be and has been like that for the last year. How is it still alive!? I put this down to the conditions being right with good water quality and a good amount of space to swim around and hunt for food. There will come a time when it just cannot survive and nature will take its course. I don't class this fish as unhealthy just a bit stupid.

So please explain why you think your previous sturgeon were unhealthy apart from the fact they died? If only the sturgeon died and no other fish seemed to be suffering then all the advice above is telling you that your pond is not suitable for sturgeon and they will keep on dying.

[Biktatwo]

Hi all and many thanks for your replies and sorry for the delay

It has been a while, and very busy.

The sterlets are doing great in their new home which has been fully running since February. I moved all the fish to a paddle swimming pool end of October and started the new build afterwards ( don’t recommend building a pond in winter, cold, snow and high water table). It has been a challenge and fun, but defenetly to the forum and some of you where I learnt lots.

Going from a pump feed to a gravity feed, from a crapy pond built by some else to your own build (except the digging, tried but the clay was bloody stiff so I will be still there digging), all pipe work hidden.

There are still some minor issues ( working on them) but I would assume the pond is still settling down and the micro k1 maturing. Chemical reading not perfect but within the limits.

Gave away 25 gold fish ( still 6 remaining going next week) so the sterlet will share home with 15 kois ( from 7 years to less than a year)

I will post some pics this weekend

[big pond]

Indeed if you want to have successfully sturgeons, make a pound for sturgeons, no plants no obstacles ect.
Make sure that the sturgeons eat well and that the koi's are not eating everything.
It takes 1 to 3 years to get a good balance into you're pond.
Good luck

[Biktatwo]

[Biktatwo]

[Barney75]

Wonderful build, that looks stunning. Nice one!