You’ve probably heard the phrase “we are what we eat” more than once. In the aquaculture sector, this statement takes on a technical and vital meaning through feed efficiency. Making the most of every single gram of feed not only determines the profitability of an aquaculture farm, but is also the true key to environmentally friendly food production.
But what makes fish the most efficient animals on the planet when it comes to converting feed into high-quality protein? In this article, we explain the science behind feed efficiency in aquaculture and how nutritional technology is transforming the industry.
What is feed efficiency in aquaculture?
Feed efficiency analyzes how the feed provided to animals is used to achieve optimal biological development and growth. In aquaculture production, this concept is closely linked to the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR).
The FCR measures the amount of feed consumed by an organism divided by the biomass (weight) gained over a period of time. For this indicator, the rule is simple: the lower the FCR, the better. A low ratio means that the fish have grown efficiently, maximizing nutrient uptake and generating as little waste as possible in the water.
Since feed represents the main operating cost on aquaculture farms, optimizing the feed conversion ratio is essential to ensuring a solid and profitable business.
Fish vs. Land-Based Livestock: The Metabolism Champions
Unlike land animals such as cows, pigs, or chickens, fish are metabolically much more efficient. Their feed conversion ratio is considerably lower for two fascinating biological reasons:
- The weightlessness of water: Since they live in an aquatic environment, fish do not need to expend large amounts of energy to support their own weight or move around, which drastically reduces their basal energy expenditure.
- They are ectothermic animals: As “cold-blooded” creatures, their body temperature adapts to that of the water. This means they do not expend metabolic energy on regulating or warming their bodies, directing almost all the food they consume directly toward growth.
As a result, aquaculture requires far less feed to produce one kilogram of healthy protein than any traditional land-based livestock farming.
The FFDR Indicator: Spain as a Net Producer of Fish
One of the major challenges of sustainable aquaculture nutrition is optimally feeding piscivorous species (such as sea bream, sea bass, and trout), which require marine-sourced proteins and fats in their diets.
To measure this impact, the FFDR (Fish Forage Dependency Ratio) is used, an indicator that assesses how many kilograms of wild-caught fish are needed to produce one kilogram of farmed fish.
Thanks to years of research, Spanish aquaculture has achieved a historic milestone: today, modern feeds consist mainly of plant-based and terrestrial raw materials (70%), with only 25% coming from marine meals or oils. Furthermore, a high percentage of these marine ingredients comes from the circular economy (utilization of byproducts from the canning industry).
With a weighted average FFDR of 0.84, Spain’s aquaculture sector produces more fish than it harvests for feed, establishing itself as a net producer of fish.
Strategies for Maximizing Feeding Efficiency Underwater
Ensuring that fish make the most of every microgram of nutrients requires a comprehensive strategy that combines management, technology, and precision nutrition. These are the key factors:
- Feed quality and stability: The feed must be properly balanced according to the species and its stage of development. Furthermore, in species such as shrimp, it is vital that the pellets maintain high physical stability so they do not dissolve before being ingested.
- Strict environmental control: Animal welfare is synonymous with efficiency. Monitoring critical parameters such as oxygen, pH, and water temperature prevents stress in the fish, stopping them from wasting energy unnecessarily.
- Use of technology: Automated feeding systems and 24/7 monitoring allow for the distribution of the exact right amount of feed at the ideal times and in the ideal areas, eliminating feed waste.
Dibaq’s Commitment to Precision Aquaculture
At Dibaq Aquaculture, we turn the science of nutrition into profitability and sustainability for your farm. Through our advanced solutions, such as the AquaSafe line, we use cutting-edge micronization and extrusion techniques to produce customized, highly digestible diets.
Our formulas ensure that micronutrients and functional ingredients remain intact until the moment of consumption, maximizing absorption, reducing the FCR, and maintaining water quality.
Because feed efficiency isn’t just the driving force behind healthy and profitable production—it’s the only way to ensure safe, nutritious, and sustainable food for the future of our planet. Join us on the path to the aquaculture of tomorrow!