FIVE TIPS FOR BETTER AQUACULTURE

Five tips for better aquaculture. As spring progresses and summer approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, now is a good time for fish and shrimp farmers to start thinking about next season’s aquaculture strategy. While probiotics like AQUA-FEED™, a natural feed additive, can be a great strategy to support fish health and growth, there’s more to the picture than just tossing some into the pond and hoping for the best.

David S. Llano, an expert in microbial biotechnology who provides inside sales and product support at Bionetix® International, shared several tips for making the most of your
probiotic aquaculture programme.

1. Introduce Gradually: Start with small doses and monitor feeding behaviour. AQUA-FEED™ should be mixed directly into the fish feed, gradually increasing the amount over time so species can adjust to it and any negative responses can be detected immediately.

2. Maintain Water Quality: Ensure ideal pH, oxygen, and cleanliness to support health benefits. This is especially critical for aquaculture ponds, as overfeeding and excess fish waste can lead to an increase in unhealthy ammonia, nitrogen, and suspended solid levels as well as malodours. Adding a weekly dose of BCP54™ can help keep these problems in check by introducing beneficial bacteria that help reduce waste, sludge, pH, and various toxins in the pond.

3. Track Results: Monitor growth, feed conversion ratios, and disease rates. This will help you decide if the investment in probiotics is worthwhile. It is especially exciting when increases in weight gain and survival rates are obvious!

4. Collaborate with Experts: Work with nutritionists for tailored feeding programmes. Different species and sizes may require different nutrients and feeding amounts. Check with your nutritionist to first see if your baseline feed has the proper nutrients and second to see if the seven probiotic strains of AQUAFEED™ are right for your species or should be customised.

5. Educate Staff: Train your team on proper feeding and farm practices. Teach your team how to use probiotics, but don’t stop there. Guide them on how to optimise pond conditions by using only the necessary amount of feed and following other best practices.