Intrinsic settling rate and spatial diffusion properties of extruded fish feed pellets

Abstract

Spatial and temporal feed distribution in sea cages are important factors for the farmer, fish and environment due to the strong relation to growth, feed loss, pollution and welfare. This study presents a set of experimentally derived diffusion parameters and settling rates obtained in still water from four sizes and three densities of extruded fish feed pellets commonly used in aquaculture. It was found that pellet size is positively correlated with increased diffusion and that pellet density plays a less important role. Both the size and density of pellets had a significant impact on the settling rate. Results are compared to values obtained during feed production as well as other relevant studies. The findings suggest that parameters related to hydrodynamic behaviour of groups of feed pellets may vary across different pellet types. The results may be applied to refine and parameterize pellet motion in sea cage feeding models, improving estimates of fish behaviour, growth and feed loss.