Experience of forming repair and brood stocks of sturgeon fish: Studies on the example of Siberian sturgeon and sterlet

The conservation and restoration of valuable, rare, and endemic fish species in Kazakhstan, such as the Irtysh sterlet and Nelma, are critical priorities under national and international biodiversity frameworks. Increasing anthropogenic pressures, including poaching and habitat alteration, threaten these species, necessitating artificial reproduction and broodstock development to support their populations. This study evaluates the domestication and rearing of wild sterlet, Acipenser ruthenus and Siberian sturgeon, Acipenser baerii in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) in Kazakhstan. Morphometric, physiological, and hydrochemical parameters were analyzed to assess broodstock viability, growth performance, and adaptation to captive conditions. Results indicate successful domestication of wild sterlet, with optimal hydrochemical conditions (temperature: ۱۴.۳–۲۲.۳°C, dissolved oxygen: ۷.۰–۹.۹ m L-۱, pH: ۷.۰–۷.۵) supporting sturgeon rearing. Fulton’s condition factor increased with age, suggesting effective feeding regimes. Challenges remain in early sex determination, gonad maturation, and feed adaptation, particularly for wild-caught females. The study demonstrates the feasibility of forming sturgeon broodstocks in Kazakhstan’s aquaculture systems, providing a foundation for conservation and commercial production while highlighting the need for further research on reproductive biotechnology and stress mitigation in domesticated stocks.

کلیدواژه ها:

Sturgeon conservation ، Broodstock development ، Artificial reproduction ، Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)