Exploring the impact of oxygen saturation on the growth rate, mortality and food conversion ratio of fish
The most important factor in achieving favorable results in fish farming is the oxygen level in the water. Fish absorb oxygen through direct contact with water.
Lack of oxygen can cause massive harm to fish, reducing appetite, compromising growth and well-being, and ultimately resulting in death. The following chart visualizes the impact of oxygen saturation on the growth rate, mortality and food conversion ratio (FCR) of salmon for instance.
Oxygenation of the water is a safety measure that protects the fish farmer against oxygen deficiencies occurring at a time when oxygen consumption by the fish or seafood is at its peak and when fish growth is at its best.
Ensuring adequate oxygen levels in the water at all times is an important safety factor which affects growth, health, appetite and general wellbeing of the fish. It also helps to reduce the effects of stress in fish that water temperature produces. It is of great importance how oxygen is implemented in fish farming operations. Properly applied, it will reduce risk factors and increase profitability, but improper usage can easily backfire.
Oxygen ultimately is not a substitute for water, too much oxygen can be harmful. In aquaculture operations, water has many functions that are just as important as supplying oxygen to the fish.
All this allows you to smoothly increase stock density, which gives an optimal feed conversion ratio and ensures the highest possible survival levels under optimum breeding conditions.
We supplies oxygen and the most efficient oxygenation equipment, continuously improved and developed in close interaction with our customers. But perhaps the most important knowledge we offer, is a thorough understanding of the interplay of cause and effect of all the elements in fish farming through our international network of fish farming experts. Our overall solutions for aquaculture simplify the combination of rational oxygenation and emergency supply from the same source.
Improving farming efficiency through oxygenation
Maintaining oxygen saturation levels above 90% is the key to efficient aquaculture. Experience has shown that efficient oxygen dissolution and distribution systems have a positive impact on a number of key parameters. These are outlined in the following.
- Improve feed conversion ratio (FCR) for feed cost savings A reduction in the FCR from 1.5 to 1.0 can lower production costs by up to 20%
- Higher specific growth rate (SGR) for increased profitability Increase fish growth rates even on higher stocking densities
- Promotion of animal welfare in accordance with active corporate responsibility, compliance with regulatory requirements and consumer and retail demands
- Lower fish stress and mortality