The eggs of Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis), an important native fish species in China, are extremely vulnerable to predation by other fishes in the wild. In some cases, more than 90% of Chinese sturgeon eggs are consumed by predators. Darkbarbel catfish [Pelteobagrus vachelli (Richerdson)] are major predators of Chinese sturgeon eggs. Thus, it is critical to gain a better understanding of the feeding behaviors of Darkbarbel catfish to develop practical ways to protect Chinese sturgeon eggs from predation. In this study, we explore the use of bait as a potential tool to redirect Darkbarbel catfish's feeding away from Chinese sturgeon eggs. In a laboratory experiment, Darkbarbel catfish were fed earthworms (Pheretima tschiliensis) of different sizes, and we observed their feeding habits and preference between earthworms and Kaluga sturgeon eggs. Darkbarbel catfish were captured from a known Chinese sturgeon spawning area at the lower reaches of Gezhou Dam, and fed in the experimental tanks for 30 days to adapt to the experimental environment before beginning feeding trials. The experimental environment was supplied with water at a constant (20.0 ± 1.5) ℃ temperature under natural light conditions. Darkbarbel catfish were divided into 3 groups according to standard body length[ (15.3 ± 1.4) cm, (12.0 ± 2.1) cm, (7.7 ± 0.5) cm] and fed a diet of either different-sized earthworms (body height of 0.3 cm; body length of 8 cm, 4 cm or 2 cm, respectively) or Kaluga sturgeon eggs. The results showed that earthworms of body length of 8 cm can only be eaten by fish in the largest size, whereas earthworms 2 cm and 4 cm in length can be eaten by fish of all sizes. Kaluga sturgeon eggs were eaten by Darkbarbel catfish of all sizes. There were no significant differences between the feeding rates of Darkbarbel catfish on earthworms 2 or 4 cm in length. We also examined whether medium-sized earthworms (body length of 4 cm) could be used to distract Darkbarbel catfish when feeding on Kaluga sturgeon eggs. Darkbarbel catfish were simultaneously offered Kaluga sturgeon eggs and earthworms in different quantities. The results showed that the liklihood of Darkbarbel catfish eating Kaluga sturgeon eggs was close to 0 when the ratio of the quantity of earthworms to Kaluga sturgeon eggs is 1 : 1, while half of the Kaluga sturgeon eggs were eaten when the ratio of Kaluga sturgeon eggs to earthworms is 2 : 1. The findings indicated that 1) Darkbarbel catfish of all size groups will eat Kaluga sturgeon eggs and earthworms; 2) earthworms with body length equal to or shorter than 4 cm could be appropriate as bait for Darkbarbel catfish of all sizes; 3) the ratio of earthworms to Kaluga sturgeon eggs is an important determinant in the feeding preference of Darkbarbel catfish; 4) earthworms could potentially be used as a bait to feed Darkbarbel catfish to mitigate predations on sturgeon eggs; 5) Darkbarbel catfish prefer to eat earthworms rather than Kaluga sturgeon eggs when the ratio of earthworms to eggs reaches or exceeds 1 : 1. Considering the similarity between Chinese sturgeon and Kaluga sturgeon eggs, this study could help inform conservation strategies for the Chinese sturgeon in Yangtze River. Further verifications in the field and on Chinese sturgeon eggs are now needed.