sturgeon

Question
hi... i'm in need of some advice please. I bought a small diamond sturgeon yesterday and was told by the guy at the pet shop that they were fine to live in tanks... but i've been on the internet looking up about them and everywhere seems to say that they are not for tanks... i've read up about what they need and called the pet shop and explained by the guy was positive that they have customers that keep them in tanks perfectly fine. I don't really know about sturgeon behaviour to know whether it's acting normal or not... do they swim in circles and upside down and stuff? also he looks like he's gasping a lot... he seems to be eating fine... i just need more information about what is normal for them- i don't want him to be needlessly suffering just because of an incompetent pet shop employee.
any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Answer
Hi Kelly,
I will always wonder why pet stores sell fish that are not suitable for aquariums, and the sturgeon is one of them.  He should NOT be in an aquarium.  
They need cool water, and lots of oxygen.  The filter will not provide enough oxygen for a sturgeon.  He will need much more oxygen than a filter will provide.  He needs special pumps so that he gets enough oxygen.
Sturgeons need good food, and lots of it.  They must be fed little but very often during the day.  
Signs of Malnutrition are:
Fish bends in half
Fish bobbing up and down
Fish try to suck mucus off other fish.
These are signs of a starving Sturgeon.
To cut this letter short, a diamond sturgeon needs a 2000 gallons of water, and should be kept in a pond.  He needs different foods for different seasons.   It is cruel to keep them in tanks.  What some venders do to make a buck!  It just kills me!
They grow very big, and should never be kept with other fish.
The employee who told you that a Sturgeon can live in a tank, doesn't know much about fish, or he does, and is in this to sell.
I'm sorry for bringing you such bad news, but this is the truth about Sturgeons.  Always read about a fish first before you buy one, or ask us.  Many fish on the market need special care.
Hope you find the Sturgeon a nicer home where he will live a long, and healthy life.
Again, I am sorry to bring you such bad news.
Lynda