Sturgeon (Caviar Fish) Development Story

The history of sturgeon cultivation started in Tsukuba!

1987

Launch of a new business

Fujikin's chief technical advisor at that time, the late Dr. Saburo Nishi, suggested we try utilizing Fujikin's valves for stugeon cultivation. Project members traveled to the former Soviet Union to study sturgeon farms and had discussions with the Russian Ministry of Fisheries.

Visit to the former Soviet Union

After tasting fresh caviar at a boat party on the Volga River, project members came to understand why caviar is considered a top 3 delicacy around the world.
From observing the cultivation facilities there, they acquired many hints on how to fully utilize Fujikin's flow control technology for a cultivation facility.
We did not know anything about hatching technology or feeding fish.
A fully closed-cycle filtration system was utilized and the sturgeon cultivation plant was completed at the Tsukuba Advanced Technology Center.

1989

Observation of sturgeon

Introduction of 100, three to four year-old bester species fish.
Accumalation of ecological data.
Able to distinguish the characteristics of individual fish.
Management of identifying individual fish.

1991

Establishment of egg production technology

Egg production technology was established for the acceleration of ovulation and caesarean sections.

1992

Successful artificial hatching

Fujikin became the first private company in Japan to successfully carry out artificial hatching.
However, the survival rate in the first year was 5%

1998

Successful complete cultivation

Fujikin became the world's first in successful cultivation in a water tank.
Survival rate increased to 60%.
Started to participate in the International Symposium on Sturgeon.