How much food for sturgeon? Ration, frequency, and signs to watch for

Feeding a sturgeon is more delicate than feeding koi. It eats at the bottom, slowly, often at night, and you almost never see it take its food. As a result, some owners give it far too much, while others give it too little, without realizing it for months. As a rough guideline, a pond sturgeon receives around 1% of its body weight per day in temperate water, more if it is young, and considerably less when the water cools or becomes very warm. The correct amount can then be checked by eye, based on the fish and the leftovers.

Why sturgeon do not feed like koi

The koi rises to the surface, fights for the pellets, and eats within a few minutes. The sturgeon, on the other hand, patrols the bottom and locates its food using the barbels under its snout, which detect particles when they come into contact with the substrate. It eats slowly, without apparent competition, especially at the end of the day and at night. In a mixed pond, koi often intercept the food before it reaches the bottom. This is one of the main causes of underweight sturgeon.

Hence two basic rules: use food that sinks quickly and remains stable in the water, and feed when the other fish are less active.

Indicative ration according to water temperature

These figures are rough guidelines, not instructions to the exact gram. They serve as a starting point, which is then adjusted based on observation. Sturgeon food manufacturers' product sheets provide their own recommendations, which should be consulted for the food you use.

Estimating the weight of your sturgeons

To apply a percentage, you need an idea of the weight. The simplest method is to weigh a fish during an occasional capture, in a basin of water placed on a scale, subtracting the weight of the basin. Alternatively, ask for the weight when purchasing the fish and write it down. Then add the weights of all the sturgeons in the pond to obtain the biomass to be fed, and divide the ration accordingly.

A common case: an owner has been giving the same small handful for three years, even though their sterlets have doubled in length. The ration must keep pace with growth.

The time and place of the meal matter as much as the quantity

Feed sturgeon food at dusk, always in the same place, over a clear area of the bottom, without thick silt or dense plants. Sturgeons quickly learn this feeding spot. If you have koi, feed them first at the surface with their floating food, then distribute the sinking food for the sturgeons once the koi are full. Some owners use a tube that delivers the pellets directly to the bottom.

Signs that show whether the ration is right

The best indicator is the sturgeon's belly: nicely rounded in a properly fed fish, hollow and concave in a fish that lacks food. A thin sturgeon also has a head that appears disproportionate to its body. This sign develops slowly; a visual check every two weeks, when a fish passes near the edge, is sufficient.

Conversely, pellets found intact on the bottom the next morning, cloudy water, or an algae bloom indicate an excess. In that case, reduce the ration by a quarter and observe for a week.

• Hollow belly, head appearing large: increase gradually.
• Food remaining the next day: reduce the amount.
• Sturgeon frequently coming to the surface: check the oxygen level before changing the ration.

Why you should not feed a sturgeon koi food

Floating food for koi generally does not reach the bottom, and its composition is not designed for a more carnivorous fish. Sturgeon food is richer in animal protein and formulated to sink and remain compact in the water while the fish finds it. Using the right food also makes it possible to measure the ration correctly.

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Frequently asked questions

— How many times a day should I feed a sturgeon?

Once or twice a day in temperate water, preferably in the evening. Less often when the water is cold or very warm.

— How much should I give a sterlet?

As a guideline, around 1% of its body weight per day in temperate water, slightly more for a juvenile, adjusted according to observation.

— How do I know if my sturgeon is eating enough?

Look at its belly: rounded if it is well fed, sunken if it lacks food. A head that appears too large is also a sign of weight loss.

— Should sturgeon be fed in winter?

Very little, or none at all, when the water is cold. Gradually resume feeding when the water warms up in spring.

In summary

• Sturgeon feed on the bottom, slowly, especially in the evening: they need sinking food.
• Indicative ration: around 1% of body weight per day in temperate water, more for a juvenile.
• Reduce the ration in very cold or very warm water.
• Adjust the ration to the fish's growth.
• Monitor the belly (sunken = deficiency) and leftovers (present = excess).

Last updated: September 29, 2026.