Retirement and forum shutdown (17 Jan 2022)

Hi,

John Howell who has managed the forum for years is getting on and wishes to retire from the role of managing it.
Over the years, he has managed the forum through good days and bad days and he has always been fair.
He has managed to bring his passion for fish keeping to the forum and keep it going for so long.

I wish to thank John for his hard work in keeping the forum going.

With John wishing to "retire" from the role of managing the forum and the forum receiving very little traffic, I think we must agree that forum has come to a natural conclusion and it's time to put it to rest.

I am proposing that the forum be made read-only from March 2022 onwards and that no new users or content be created. The website is still registered for several more years, so the content will still be accessible but no new topics or replies will be allowed.

If there is interest from the ITFS or other fish keeping clubs, we may redirect traffic to them or to a Facebook group but will not actively manage it.

I'd like to thank everyone over the years who helped with forum, posted a reply, started a new topic, ask a question and helped a newbie in fish keeping. And thank you to the sponsors who helped us along the away. Hopefully it made the hobby stronger.

I'd especially like to thank John Howell and Valerie Rousseau for all of their contributions, without them the forum would have never been has successful.

Thank you
Darragh Sherwin

Sturgeons for ponds

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ger310 (Ger .)
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04 Jul 2016 19:10 #1 by ger310 (Ger .)

Sturgeons for ponds was created by ger310 (Ger .)

Hi all,i visited a pet store today and in two of there coldwater tanks they had two Sturgeons.........one was a Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) which was about 15-17cm in size and looked really good and was very active,but the other one,a Diamond back Sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) which was of similar size and as active as the other one,but this fish was absolutely stunning in appearance.......it's colour and shape and beautiful white markings around it's fins just blew me away

My question is are they suitable for a pond of 3000L? .......I've done the googling on these and all the recommendations from the "serious" sites say it would be too small but has anybody kept these in a similar sized pond even short term?......This fish is right up my street so I would really love to keep one (the Diamond back in particular) for even just a year or two.

Ger

What do you call a three legged Donkey?

A Wonkey....duh ha

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robert (robert carter)
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04 Jul 2016 19:24 #2 by robert (robert carter)

Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

Hi Ger , i have a diamond back in my pond for the last 4 years hes probably about 24 inch long , pond is only about 1000 gals, he very active and cruising around all the time , they prefer cooler water so if you get one make sure you feed him during the winter with some sinking sturgoen pellets. Great fish

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ger310 (Ger .)
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04 Jul 2016 19:37 - 04 Jul 2016 19:40 #3 by ger310 (Ger .)

Replied by ger310 (Ger .) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

robert wrote:
Hi Ger , i have a diamond back in my pond for the last 4 years hes probably about 24 inch long , pond is only about 1000 gals, he very active and cruising around all the time , they prefer cooler water so if you get one make sure you feed him during the winter with some sinking sturgoen pellets. Great fish

That's good to here.......the guy I was talking to in the pet shop was surprisingly fairly knowledgeable on these especially as he wasn't the main "fish" guy there and filled me in on lots to do with diet,temperature etc.......I was well impressed considering it's one of them pet shop chain stores!!

Ger

EDIT:... a video of that 2 foot Diamond back would be good dude?

What do you call a three legged Donkey?

A Wonkey....duh ha

Last edit: 04 Jul 2016 19:40 by ger310 (Ger .).

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robert (robert carter)
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04 Jul 2016 21:19 #4 by robert (robert carter)

Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

Ger , cant post pictures let alone vids ,

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ger310 (Ger .)
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04 Jul 2016 21:30 #5 by ger310 (Ger .)

Replied by ger310 (Ger .) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

robert wrote:
Ger , cant post pictures let alone vids ,

Nah video's are easy to post,even I can manage them..........if yeh have a smart phone its very straight forward

What do you call a three legged Donkey?

A Wonkey....duh ha

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paulv (paul vickers)
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05 Jul 2016 09:38 #6 by paulv (paul vickers)

Replied by paulv (paul vickers) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

Get your camera out Robert, we would all love to see the sturgoen. If ever I have a pond I'll keep them. Stunning fish. Newlands garden centre have them.

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JohnH (John)
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05 Jul 2016 10:02 #7 by JohnH (John)

Replied by JohnH (John) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

I seem to remember reading somewhere that, like Sharks, their gills are formulated in such a way as to need the fish to be moving at all times. The gill covers aren't 'mechanical' like on 'conventional' fish, which can stay still and the gill covers move oxygenated water over the gills by the covers opening and closing. Sturgeons need lots of swimming space for this reason.
I kept one for a while in a much smaller pond than yours Ger but, it grew somewhat, and unfortunately jumped out (probably because my pond was so small).
I don't think one (or two) in your pond would suffer the same fate - it being larger, with the overlapping capping discouraging jumping out. Mine would buzz along the pond's side day and night and I had nothing overlapping the edges.
My suggestion would be to get one (or even two) they're great fish for a decent sized pond (unlike mine was).

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.

ITFS member.

It's a long way to Tipperary.

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JohnH (John)
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05 Jul 2016 12:15 #8 by JohnH (John)

Replied by JohnH (John) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

robert wrote:
Ger , cant post pictures let alone vids ,

Robert,
The offer I made is an open one - just send me any pictures (as attachments) to the
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
address - just mentioning that they aren't for a competition round - and I'll add them for you until you get the hang of it.
You won't even have to reduce the file size, I can do that for you.

John

Location:
N. Tipp

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl - year after year.

ITFS member.

It's a long way to Tipperary.

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arabu1973 (. .)
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05 Jul 2016 12:16 #9 by arabu1973 (. .)

Replied by arabu1973 (. .) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

Hi ger, looks like I missed you visiting the shop, I'm just back from holidays but if you drop in on any Monday Wednesday or Friday I'm there. Just introduce yourself

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FR85 (Gavin O'Sullivan)
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05 Jul 2016 15:16 #10 by FR85 (Gavin O'Sullivan)

Replied by FR85 (Gavin O'Sullivan) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

I think feeding is the main concern with Sturgeon along with well oxygenated water.

Apparently they'll get to a point where they bend in half and once they hit that point of starvation that's it......also if they stop feeding it's hard to get them to start again.

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robert (robert carter)
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05 Jul 2016 16:29 #11 by robert (robert carter)

Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

mine comes up and takes the koi pellets no problem . what people forget is that when the temp falls they stop feeding the fish , however sturgeons are a cold water fish and in fact prefer the water temp of our winter so you must continue to feed them ,I use a high protein sinking sturgeon pellets and feed every day . a great fish the grandkids think it scary as its shark like

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ger310 (Ger .)
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05 Jul 2016 17:07 #12 by ger310 (Ger .)

Replied by ger310 (Ger .) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

JohnH wrote:
I seem to remember reading somewhere that, like Sharks, their gills are formulated in such a way as to need the fish to be moving at all times. The gill covers aren't 'mechanical' like on 'conventional' fish, which can stay still and the gill covers move oxygenated water over the gills by the covers opening and closing. Sturgeons need lots of swimming space for this reason.
I kept one for a while in a much smaller pond than yours Ger but, it grew somewhat, and unfortunately jumped out (probably because my pond was so small).
I don't think one (or two) in your pond would suffer the same fate - it being larger, with the overlapping capping discouraging jumping out. Mine would buzz along the pond's side day and night and I had nothing overlapping the edges.
My suggestion would be to get one (or even two) they're great fish for a decent sized pond (unlike mine was).

John

That's really interesting about there gills John,i didn't read that when I was googling yesterday so i'll have to investigate further.

i'm defo going to buy one,but maybe two,we will see next week,cheers

What do you call a three legged Donkey?

A Wonkey....duh ha

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ger310 (Ger .)
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05 Jul 2016 17:10 #13 by ger310 (Ger .)

Replied by ger310 (Ger .) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

arabu1973 wrote:
Hi ger, looks like I missed you visiting the shop, I'm just back from holidays but if you drop in on any Monday Wednesday or Friday I'm there. Just introduce yourself

Hi Adrian,i did ask for you when I dropped in but I was told as you said that you were on holidays.............I'll pop back in probably Monday and i'll have a chat with you then ok,cheers

What do you call a three legged Donkey?

A Wonkey....duh ha

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robert (robert carter)
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05 Jul 2016 17:11 #14 by robert (robert carter)

Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

John is right about this they must constantly move in order to breeth

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ger310 (Ger .)
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05 Jul 2016 17:16 #15 by ger310 (Ger .)

Replied by ger310 (Ger .) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

FR85 wrote:
I think feeding is the main concern with Sturgeon along with well oxygenated water.

Apparently they'll get to a point where they bend in half and once they hit that point of starvation that's it......also if they stop feeding it's hard to get them to start again.

yeh I was reading that yesterday........i'd say there would have to be a fair bit of neglect for them to get to that state..........i'll be treating this pond like I have always treated my tropical tanks.......feeding daily with proper food,and clean oxygenated water.......hopefully there will be no issues!! cheers

What do you call a three legged Donkey?

A Wonkey....duh ha

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ger310 (Ger .)
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05 Jul 2016 17:19 #16 by ger310 (Ger .)

Replied by ger310 (Ger .) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

robert wrote:
mine comes up and takes the koi pellets no problem . what people forget is that when the temp falls they stop feeding the fish , however sturgeons are a cold water fish and in fact prefer the water temp of our winter so you must continue to feed them ,I use a high protein sinking sturgeon pellets and feed every day . a great fish the grandkids think it scary as its shark like

Yeh I was reading that also about feeding them all year around and the temperature there happiest in..........the shop I was in yesterday said they can get me in Sturgeon pellets but is there a particular brand you would recommend? cheers

What do you call a three legged Donkey?

A Wonkey....duh ha

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robert (robert carter)
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05 Jul 2016 19:31 #17 by robert (robert carter)

Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

Got mine off ebay . There is a guy that regularly post adds on done deal for sturgoen . Mine came from Petco on the long mile road a couple of years ago .

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ger310 (Ger .)
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05 Jul 2016 21:44 #18 by ger310 (Ger .)

Replied by ger310 (Ger .) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

robert wrote:
Got mine off ebay . There is a guy that regularly post adds on done deal for sturgoen . Mine came from Petco on the long mile road a couple of years ago .

Was there a brand name on them pellets Robert?....and can yeh remember who the guy is on donedeal?.....I put "Sturgeon" in the search bar but just got 2 pet shops,cheers

What do you call a three legged Donkey?

A Wonkey....duh ha

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robert (robert carter)
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05 Jul 2016 22:21 #19 by robert (robert carter)

Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

Hi Ger , the pellets were unbranded sold by the kilo , almost black in colour about 3mm in size . I checked done deal tonight and he doesnt have an ad on , think he is based in tipperary

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robert (robert carter)
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05 Jul 2016 22:25 #20 by robert (robert carter)

Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

Ger , the name is Sturgeon Suppiies ltd ,based in clomel ,co tipperary . He has a website , just google the name

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robert (robert carter)
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07 Jul 2016 20:11 #21 by robert (robert carter)

Replied by robert (robert carter) on topic Sturgeons for ponds

I took some photos of the sturgeon this evening , tomorrow my mate is comming over so intend to post these along with about 60 other photos of the four tanks and the pond

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