Precision nutrition in aquaculture: Strategies to optimise larval quality

A well-developed larva has a direct impact on the productivity of an aquaculture farm. For this reason, providing nutrient-rich diets to support its growth and strengthen its immune system is crucial.

Poor nutrition during the early stages of development can lead to deformities, uneven growth, and high mortality rates, all of which increase operational costs and reduce farm profitability.

Proper feeding from the very start fosters healthier, more robust larvae, reduces the need for treatment later on, and ultimately improves the quality of the harvest fish.

The future of larval feeding lies in a combination of customized nutrition, sustainability, and the use of biotechnology, focusing on enriching live feed with probiotics to maximise productivity and health.

The key to success: Enriching live feed

The enrichment of live feed is fundamental. Organisms such as rotifers, Artemia, and copepods act as nutritional vectors, making it essential to supply them with key nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), proteins, vitamin C and E, as well as minerals like selenium and zinc.

Each species has specific enrichment requirements, and modern aquaculture increasingly takes this into account. The goal is not only to ensure that the auxiliary culture contains essential nutrients but also that these are effectively absorbed.

Future directions

Upcoming innovations will focus on incorporating probiotic strains into live feed and employing bioencapsuation to enhance gut health, immunity, and resistance to stress and diseases.

Another trend aimed at improving sustainability prioritises replacing expensive and less sustainable ingredients with more economical and accessible alternatives. Agricultural by-products, such as rice bran, soybean meal, and vegetable oils from canola, stand out as efficient and sustainable options for live feed enrichment.

Nutrient-rich algae, such as Nannochloropsis and Isochrysis, are also being utilised to improve live feed quality while reducing costs.

The role of copepods and cladocerans

Copepods and cladocerans are considered essential organisms in larval nutrition due to their exceptional nutritional profiles, especially during critical developmental stages.

Copepods, in particular, provide an optimal balance of lipids and amino acids, closely mimicking the natural diet of larvae in marine environments. Their mobility and size make them ideal prey for larvae that rely on visual cues to feed.

Meanwhile, cladocerans, such as Daphnia and Moina, are highly nutritious and reproductive rapidly, making them well-suited for large-scale hatcheries.

Despite these advantages, the fatty acid content of these organisms can vary depending on their diet and rearing conditions. This variability has driven the development of enrichment techniques to optimize their nutritional value. Such improvements not only enhance live feed quality but also promote sustainability by reducing the need for additional resources in aquaculture production.

Enrichment techniques: beyond nutrition

Enrichment techniques aim not only to improve larval growth and survival rates but also to minimize environmental impact by optimizing nutrient use and reducing waste.

Finally, automation plays a vital role in scaling up production, reducing labour costs, and ensuring consistent nutritional profiles, aligning with the needs of commercial aquaculture.