Lake Sturgeon
NameLake Sturgeon
Scientific NameAcipenser fulvescens
Common NamesLake Sturgeon, Freshwater Sturgeon
FamilyAcipenseridae
OriginNorth America, Great Lakes Basin, Mississippi River Basin
Temperamentpeaceful
Dietomnivore
Care Levelexpert
Minimum Tank Size (Gallons)5000
Max Size (Inches)96
Water TypeFreshwater
Temperature Range (°F)50-70
pH Range6.5-8.0
Compatible SpeciesLarge, robust, coldwater fish, Species-specific setups
Description
The Lake Sturgeon is a prehistoric-looking, bottom-dwelling fish native to North American rivers and lakes. It is the largest freshwater fish in the Great Lakes region, known for its elongated body, bony plates (scutes), and barbels used for foraging. This species is extremely long-lived and requires immense, specialized habitats, making it unsuitable for typical home aquariums.
