Aquafeed

Aquafeed is the formulated diet fed to farmed fish, shrimp, and other cultured aquatic animals, the largest variable cost in most fed aquaculture. Pelleted compound feeds blend a protein base (historically fishmeal), a lipid source (fish oil), carbohydrate binders, vitamins, and pigments, with formulation set to the species and life stage. Feed conversion ratio measures kilograms of feed per kilogram of weight gain; modern salmon diets run near 1.1 to 1.3. Reliance on marine ingredients ties aquafeed to the forage-fish fishery, so producers cut inclusion through fishmeal replacement to lower the fish-in-fish-out ratio.