Feed for Atlantic salmon in RAS: Why consider a dedicated RAS feed?

by Dr Robert Tillner, Product Manager, Aller Aqua Group, Denmark

Feed is what makes Atlantic salmon grow in RAS. Together with a decent Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), an article about RAS feed for Atlantic salmon could basically stop here… Or not? Why not stick to a regular grower feed for Atlantic salmon and save money, especially when the feed costs account for such a large part of the overall costs?

Indeed, the choice of feed has a major impact on the growth of the fish, the efficiency of the RAS and the economic output of the farm. First of all, introducing highly palatable and digestible feeds with a high uptake limits the number of wasted feed pellets to a minimum, reducing the need to filter out uneaten and decomposing feed pellets.
 

Additionally, providing all required nutrients in terms of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals lays the foundation for growth and health of the fish. Their optimal combination will accelerate the production cycle and improve the output of the RAS. This is achieved by selecting raw materials of the highest quality and by basing the composition of the feed on the digestible nutrient content of each raw material batch to secure stable feed quality.

Special attention is paid to the quality of the pellets. It is important to eliminate dust and broken pellets that might otherwise put pressure on the filtration units. Also, functional ingredients ensure the health and welfare of the fast-growing fish. Growth and health are however not the only factors to play an important role in RAS, as feed efficiency will also to a large extent influence costs and revenue.

Read more, HERE.

The Aquaculturists

---