Fish Feed Research Articles

Determination of the cellulose- and lipid-containing components influence on the extrudate technological indicators

The effect of cellulose- and lipid-containing components on the technological parameters of the extruded mixture based on protein- and starch-containing raw materials on the technological parameters of the extrudate was studied. The use of components that modify such technological indicators of the extruded mixture as water resistance and swelling is substantiated. It is proposed to use sunflower husks and sunflower phosphatide concentrate as modifying additives to the mixture for extrusion. A rational ratio of the specified components in the extrudate was established to obtain indicators of water resistance in the range of 220...300 min and swelling in the range of 100...120 %. This is an important aspect of expanding the range of extruded products from the waste of oil and fat industries and obtaining high-quality competitive products. The object of the study is the dependence of water resistance and swelling of the extruded mixture on the content of modifying additives. Their rational ratio in the extrudate is: sunflower husk – 6.0 %; sunflower phosphatide concentrate – 5.0 %. The manufactured extrudate sample corresponds to commercial fish feed in terms of chemical composition and technological parameters, and also has a 4 times lower cost. A feature of the obtained results is the possibility of regulating the water resistance, swelling and porosity of the extrudate based on protein- and starch-containing raw materials, depending on the ratio of cellulose- and lipid-containing modifying additives. This allows to change the technological parameters of the finished product depending on the chemical composition of the mixture of raw components according to the requirements of the consumer. The results of the conducted research prove that cellulose- and lipid-containing secondary products of production can be successfully transformed into new competitive products

MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING FOR AN OPTIMISED FISH FEED FORMULATION: TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE RED HYBRID TILAPIA FARMING

Common issues raised in the fish industry are the highly-priced feed production and the sustainability of its ingredients. These issues have also directly impacted the majority of local farmers. Aiming for long-term viability, controlling the feed price is therefore crucial. The selection of ingredients plays an important role in optimising the price of feed. This research, therefore, aims to introduce potential fish feed that optimises the production cost while maintaining the nutrient consumption of the intended species. The feed is formulated using a mathematical model that considers all essential requirements. In this research, the feed formulation was mainly focused on the red hybrid tilapia. Least-cost feed formulations were set out for two main life-cycle stages, juvenile and adult stages, specifying levels of three critical limits: Nutrient requirements of the fish (protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and fibre), cost and nutrient composition of nine commonly used ingredients. AIMMS mathematical software was used to assist the computation to optimality, reducing the cost significantly while providing complete and sufficient nutrients for the fish. From analysing previous research to obtaining advice from experts and demands from industry, 10 different mathematical models were constructed as options to produce potential fish feeds at minimal costs. These models produce feeds that cost less than the commercial pellets available up to 38%. The feed formulation promises cheaper feed and could benefit the industry, indirectly supporting the small-scale local farmers. A thorough discussion of the use of the mathematical model in relation to producing an optimised feed formulation and some managerial insights are included in this research with elaborations on utilising the results to future research opportunities.

A probabilistic foundation for the study of larval fish feeding, growth, and mortality rates

Survival through the larval phase is predicated on the probabilities of successful feeding, which dictates growth rates, and the probabilities of encountering predators. Here I perform a synthesis of feeding, growth, and mortality rates estimated during several studies from coastal Newfoundland, Canada, to provide a description of the probability distribution that can serve as a foundation of the expected distribution of vital rates. The standardized observations clearly follow that of skewed distributions, appropriately fit to a probability gamma distribution, with feeding demonstrating a stronger degree of skewness than either mortality or growth, possibly because each vital rate integrates prey–predator interactions over different time scales. Commonality in the underlying form of the distribution of vital rates in larval fish, along with clear functional relationships between gamma parameters, represents a probabilistic basis of expectations against which observations from prior or new studies can be contrasted. An example of the use of such expectations demonstrates that they can provide useful contextual information about the contrast among observations and our ability to identify their relationship with environmental drivers.

Analyzing the Impact of Dissolved Organic Components on River Water Quality and Its Implications for Human Health: A Case Study from Banjar District

Introduction: Environmental contamination, especially water quality, is a global issue. The association between river water quality and human health is explored in Banjar Regency, rich in natural resources and essential rivers, utilizing dissolved organic components concentration as an indicator. Methods: A mixed-methods study in Banjar District, South Kalimantan, Indonesia, examined the impact of river water quality on human health, using dissolved forganic components as a primary indicator. Water quality assessments, nutrient content measurements, consumption surveys, and water-related disease epidemiology provided data. The statistical studies revealed key correlations and patterns. Results and Discussion: Water quality metrics varied among sampling locations. The dissolved fish feed negatively correlated with dissolved oxygen, while nutrient content weakly correlated with gastrointestinal disorders. High water temperatures increased respiratory illnesses. Drinking water from sources with high dissolved fish feed content caused digestive and respiratory problems. The study confirms previous research linking water quality parameters to health effects. The complex relationship between water quality and health is location-dependent, illustrating how environmental factors, especially water quality, shape illness trends. Conclusion: The study illuminates the complex links between river water quality, human health, and water usage in Banjar District. Dissolved fish feed content affects digestive and respiratory disorders, emphasizing the need of water quality management for regional health. These findings guide Banjar District water resource management and public health measures and help solve worldwide environmental pollution issues.

Advances in the application of stereo vision in aquaculture with emphasis on fish: A review

AbstractThe effective implementation of machine vision has played a crucial role in advancing intelligent aquaculture across various domains. Stereo vision, as a branch of machine vision, has become a mainstream technology in aquaculture. Its distinctive capability to conduct comprehensive underwater monitoring from multiple angles, unaffected by object occlusion has propelled it to the forefront of aquaculture applications. This article offers a comprehensive review of the diverse applications of stereo vision in aquaculture spanning from its inception to present. The exploration encompasses its role in crucial areas such as biomass estimation and behavioural analysis, which include fish counting, weight estimation, swimming behaviour, feeding behaviour and abnormal behaviour. Furthermore, the paper delves into the advantages of stereo vision over traditional 2D machine vision approaches, while also acknowledging limitations, and identifying future challenges that must be addressed to fully leverage its potential in aquaculture. The review emphasizes the prospect of advancement in deep learning stereo‐matching algorithms specifically designed for underwater environments to catalyse a breakthrough in stereo vision technology. In summary, this review aims to provide researchers and practitioners with a better understanding of the current development of stereo vision in aquaculture, optimizing stereo vision technology and better serving the aquaculture field.

Arduino-based Automatic Fish Feeding Device Prototype

Consuming fish food is an important part of the process of growing and maintaining fish. In general, fish food is given by conventionally throwing it by hand. However, this is not done at the same time every day. Based on the problems above, the researchers made a prototype of an Arduino-based automatic fish feeding device. The aim of this research is to determine the effectiveness of the automatic fish feeder prototype. In the prototype that the researchers made using several main components such as Arduino Uno as the system or brain of this prototype, servo motor, 20 x 4 LCD, buttons, Real Time Clock (RTC), and several jumper cables. The effectiveness of this tool can be seen from the test results, where the automatic fish feeder prototype succeeded in providing fish food according to a predetermined schedule.

Investigations on Xenopus laevis body composition and feeding behavior in a laboratory setting

The African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, has been used as a laboratory animal for decades in many research areas. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the nutritional physiology of this amphibian species and the feeding regimen is not standardized. The aim of the present study was to get more insights into the nutrient metabolism and feeding behavior of the frogs. In Trial 1, adult female X. laevis were fed either a Xenopus diet or a fish feed. After 4 weeks, they were euthanized, weighed, measured for morphometrics and dissected for organ weights and whole-body nutrient analysis. There were no significant differences between the diet groups regarding the allometric data and nutrient contents. The ovary was the major determinant of body weight. Body fat content increased with body weight as indicator of energy reserves. In Trial 2, 40 adult female frogs were monitored with a specifically developed digital tracking system to generate heat-maps of their activity before and up to 25 min after a meal. Three diets (floating, sinking, floating & sinking) were used. The main feed intake activity was fanning the feed into the mouth, peaking until 20 min after the meal. The different swimming characteristics of the diets thereby influenced the activity of the animals. Our dataset helps to adjust the feeding needs to the physical composition and also to meet the natural behavioral patterns of feed intake as a prerequisite of animal wellbeing and animal welfare in a laboratory setting.

Production of fish feed by the aquaponic method

Aquaponics is one of the most efficient agricultural production systems; however, there is limited data on its level of effectiveness. The purpose of the research was to study the germination of wheat grain as aquaponic food for herbivorous fish in an aquaponic installation. The experimental production of aquaponic food for herbivorous fish grown in polyculture (carp, grass carp, black carp, silver carp) was studied by the method of wheat grain germination. In an aquaponic device, you can not only grow plants, but also germinate their seeds before planting in the ground. Water is saturated with oxygen due to continuous flow (3.5% more than in a pool without an aquaponic device). This is a positive factor for the growth of fish and energy savings while reducing the duration of the oxygen generators. In addition, the use of an aquaponic device provides favorable conditions for growing plants and fish with a significant reduction in the cost of installation of structures and a decrease in the cost of its operation. An increase in the germination of wheat grain during its germination in an aquaponic installation by 2.0% was established; increase in the length of sprouts during germination - by 27.5%; root length - by 32.2%; increase in the content of crude protein – by 2.2%; vitamin B2 - by 6.1%; carotene – by 4.6%. Hydroponic feed safety indicators were within the limits of sanitary and hygienic standards. The results of this study for the production of hydroponic feed for herbivorous fish directly in the fish farm show that in the production of valuable fortified vegetable environmentally safe feed, it is advisable to use the aquaponic method using water saturated with nutrients.

Dietary Tenebrio molitor larvae meal effects on cellular stress responses, antioxidant statusand intermediate metabolism of Oncorhynchus mykiss.

In the context of evaluating the impact of environmentally friendly and sustainably produced alternative protein sources in fish feed, the present study's aim was to examine the overall physiological stress response in one of the main fish species of European freshwater aquaculture, Oncorhynchus mykiss (rainbow trout), following the partial substitution of fish meal (FM) with a Tenebrio molitor (TM) (yellow mealworm) full-fat meal. In total, 222 rainbow trout individuals (115.2 ± 14.2 g) were allocated randomly into six tanks, three per dietary treatment, and were fed a formulated diet containing 60% yellow mealworm (TM60) compared to a control diet without insect meal (TM0). Both diets contained equal amounts of crude protein, dry matter and, lipid content, while the FM in TM60 was 100 g kg-1 corresponding to the one seventh of the TM0. Heat shock response (HSR), MAPK signalling, cell death pathways (apoptosis and autophagy), antioxidant defence mechanisms, and intermediate metabolism were evaluated. In general, HSR and MAPK signalling were activated in response to the inclusion of T. molitor. Moreover, triggering of apoptotic and autophagic processes and the onset of antioxidant defence mechanisms underlined the existence of physiological stress. Despite the apparent dietary-induced stress, rainbow trout in the present study exhibited no mortality and no significant effects regarding growth performance parameters. Specifically, TM60 dietary inclusion resulted in no changes in final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate. However, feed intakedepicted a statistically significant decrease in TM60 fish compared to TM0 individuals. Nevertheless, nutrient stress should be considered a limiting factor regarding the utilization of T. molitor in O. mykiss diet due to the associated risks for health and welfare.

Unraveling the important role of comammox Nitrospira to nitrification in the coastal aquaculture system.

Increasing nitrogen (N) input to coastal ecosystems poses a serious environmental threat. It is important to understand the responses and feedback of N removal microbial communities, particularly nitrifiers including the newly recognized complete ammonia-oxidizers (comammox), to improve aquaculture sustainability. In this study, we conducted a holistic evaluation of the functional communities responsible for nitrification by quantifying and sequencing the key functional genes of comammox Nitrospira-amoA, AOA-amoA, AOB-amoA and Nitrospira-nxrB in fish ponds with different fish feeding levels and evaluated the contribution of nitrifiers in the nitrification process through experiments of mixing pure cultures. We found that higher fish feeding dramatically increased N-related concentration, affecting the nitrifying communities. Compared to AOA and AOB, comammox Nitrospira and NOB were more sensitive to environmental changes. Unexpectedly, we detected an equivalent abundance of comammox Nitrospira and AOB and observed an increase in the proportion of clade A in comammox Nitrospira with the increase in fish feeding. Furthermore, a simplified network and shift of keystone species from NOB to comammox Nitrospira were observed in higher fish-feeding ponds. Random forest analysis suggested that the comammox Nitrospira community played a critical role in the nitrification of eutrophic aquaculture ponds (40-70 μM). Through the additional experiment of mixing nitrifying pure cultures, we found that comammox Nitrospira is the primary contributor to the nitrification process at 200 μM ammonium. These results advance our understanding of nitrifying communities and highlight the importance of comammox Nitrospira in driving nitrification in eutrophic aquaculture systems.

The wash zone and habitat use among three benthic fish species in stratified lakes

AbstractMixing processes in lakes are important in determining sedimentation zones and in setting the so‐called “wash zone”, the area of lake bottom in contact with an oscillating thermocline during wind‐driven internal seiche events. The wash zone also aligns with a sharp change in sediment roughness and hardness. Taken together, these rapid changes in temperature and sediment indicate that the wash zone is a distinctive ecotone in stratified lakes. Depth stratified randomised netting was used to develop count‐based habitat use models for three common benthic fish species as a function of depth or temperature covariates. Using data from two lakes with quite different wash zone depths, we show the wash zone to describe fish habitat for two of three benthic fish species by utilising the top 50% of estimated fish abundance as an indicator of habitat use. White sucker (Catostomus commersoni) habitat use was within the boundaries of the wash zone. Lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) habitat was adjacent and within the wash zone. Longnose sucker (C. catostomus) habitat use was in the deep areas of lakes dominated by sediment focusing and did not overlap white sucker. Lake whitefish habitat use overlapped both catostomids, but peak abundance of both lake whitefish and white sucker overlapped pointing to potential interactions between these species. Smaller lakes have less vigorous mixing processes and a narrower wash zone, so with a decline in lake size the likely area of the wash zone as habitat for benthic feeding fish would become smaller.

Dietary lipid sensing through fatty acid oxidation and chylomicron formation in the gastrointestinal tract of rainbow trout

In mammals, physiological processes related to lipid metabolism, such as chylomicron synthesis or fatty acid oxidation (FAO), modulate eating, highlighting the importance of energostatic mechanisms in feeding control. This study, using rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as model, aimed to characterize the role of FAO and chylomicron formation as peripheral lipid sensors potentially able to modulate feeding in fish. Fish fed with either a normal- (24%) or high- (32%) fat diet were intraperitoneally injected with water alone or containing etomoxir (inhibitor of FAO rate-limiting enzyme carnitine palmitoyl-transferase 1). First, feed intake levels were recorded. We observed an etomoxir-derived decrease in feeding at short times, but a significant increase at 48 h after treatment in fish fed normal-fat diet. Then, we evaluated putative etomoxir effects on the mRNA abundance of genes related to lipid metabolism, chylomicron synthesis and appetite-regulating peptides. Etomoxir treatment upregulated mRNA levels of genes related to chylomicron assembly in proximal intestine, while opposite effects occurred in distal intestine, indicating a clear regionalization in response. Etomoxir also modulated gastrointestinal hormone mRNAs in proximal intestine, upregulating ghrl in fish fed normal-fat diet and pyy and gcg in fish fed high-fat diet. These results provide evidence for an energostatic control of feeding related to FAO and chylomicron formation at the peripheral level in fish.

Method for obtaining ecological products from rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss farming

In aquaculture, the period of active development of aquatic organisms is considered one of the most important for the formation of potential in the future. The issue of using natural components when growing aquatic organisms and feeding young fish is given special attention. This research investigated Spirulina (25%) + Vermiculture (50%) + Hermetia illucens (25%) as an additional source of functional active substances and protein that affect the body performance of rainbow trout in early ontogenesis. All objects were cultured in a special bioreactor, which was a component of the recirculating aquaculture model system as well as in the laboratory, where an installation was made for cultivating natural food. The results of the scientific and practical part of the work showed that after the end of the experiment, body weight was higher in the experimental fish by 7.2% than in the control group. This article presents the results of feeding rainbow trout as one of the cases of improving the morpho-functional and biochemical composition of the blood of this species: an increase in the total number of red blood cells by 11.0%, hemoglobin content by 9.7%, total protein at 22.7%, albumin by 24.2%, and creatinine by 15.5%, compared with the control group. The presented positive changes in the functional status of the rainbow trout organism were in harmony with the parameters of body weight, as well as histological indicators. Histological indicators of the liver and muscle tissue of the fish supplemented the obtained positive result of the influence of natural and active components of the feed. Feeding fish according to the scheme in the experimental group promotes the formation of layers of special adipose tissue in the endomysium. The total amount of the stromal component in the muscle tissue of rainbow trout was 25% of the mass of the entire tissue. The control group showed that the muscle fibers were polygonal in cross section, separated from each other within the bundle by delicate layers of endomysium. When using a standard feeding regimen (control group), the stromal component is a moderately expanding structure that replaces the space between the fibers. The experimental group had the most significant indicators. The intensification of individual aspects of homeostasis achieved with the help of feed components (experimental group) promotes the growth of muscle fibers in thickness due to the formation of new fibrils, but not an increase in the proportion of sarcoplasm (watery meat). As a result, neurohumoral regulation and substance synthesis processes improved in the fishes’ body, which helps to improve ontogenesis rates. The presented ingredients in the diet of rainbow trout are natural stimulants of metabolic processes and sources of nutrients. The method allows aquaculture to be defined as being as close as possible to “environmentally safe”. The next stage will be a comprehensive analysis of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of rainbow trout meat under the influence of the feed factor.

Quantitative determination of tetracyclines in medicated feed for food-producing animals by HPLC–DAD

Tetracyclines are a group of antibiotic substances largely administered through medicated feed to control diseases in food-producing animals. Fine dosing of antibiotics contained in medicated feed is crucial for the success of the treatment as well as minimising potential threats such as the spread of antimicrobial resistance and the transfer of antibiotic residues in food. A rapid analytical method based on HPLC with diode array detection (HPLC–DAD) was developed to quantify oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline in medicated feed. The reported method underwent in-house validation and was found to be suitable for the quantification of three target tetracyclines within the concentration range of 40–1000 mg kg−1 in official routine analysis. The method was applied to 103 official samples in the framework of the Italian National Plan on animal feed during the years 2021–2023 and nine non-compliant concentrations were identified in swine and fish feed samples.

Biochemical analysis of bullfrog liver and blood: insights into growth and development

The aim of this study was to evaluate the productive and physiological performance of bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) after metamorphosis, through zootechnical growth parameters and the quantification of proteins and enzymes present in the liver. In addition we observed the behavior of circulating amino acids in the blood. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Station of the Aquaculture, APTA Regional – SAA, in São Paulo, Brazil. We used 400 L. catesbeianus froglets weighing 5.76±1.32g, which were distributed in four fattening tanks in the wet system, installed under an agricultural greenhouse at density of 51 frogs/m². The animals were fed with 5% of the biomass of each tank every day, with extruded feed for carnivorous fish with 40% Crude Protein. Every 28 days, they were weighed to calculate weight gain and apparent feed conversion ratio. At the same time, two animals from each tank were chosen randomly to have their blood and liver collected for biochemical analysis to quantify amino acids, proteins, phenols, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase. The results obtained indicate that the absence of screening every 15 days affected the development and uniformity of the animals, favoring cannibalism. The average apparent feed conversion was 1.84. There was an increasing and proportional formation of proteins with low degradation as the animals gained weight. As for amino acids, we detected arginine, isoleucine, alanine and tryptophan in the first month, with trypsin appearing after 60 days. These results lead us to state that total or partial screening is essential during the first month after metamorphosis, and that the feed provided, although not specific to the species, fulfilled its role in animal metabolism, with little formation of phenolic compounds and free radicals.

Selenized non-Saccharomyces yeasts and their potential use in fish feed.

Selenium (Se) is a vital trace element, essential for growth and other biological functions in fish. Its significance lies in its role as a fundamental component of selenoproteins, which are crucial for optimal functioning of the organism. The inclusion of Se in the diets of farmed animals, including fish, has proved invaluable in mitigating the challenges arising from elemental deficiencies experienced in captivity conditions due to limitations in the content of fishmeal. Supplementing diets with Se enhances physiological responses, particularly mitigates the effects of the continuous presence of environmental stress factors. Organic Se has been shown to have higher absorption rates and a greater impact on bioavailability and overall health than inorganic forms. A characteristic feature of yeasts is their rapid proliferation and growth, marked by efficient mineral assimilation. Most of the selenized yeasts currently available in the market, and used predominantly in animal production and aquaculture, are based on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which contains selenomethionine (Se-Met). The object of this review is to highlight the importance of selenized yeasts. In addition, it presents metabolic and productive aspects of other yeast genera that are important potential sources of organic selenium. Some yeast strains discussed produce metabolites of interest such as lipids, pigments, and amino acids, which could have applications in aquaculture and further enrich their usefulness.

Study of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics of tilapia fish bones by age

Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), consisting of bioceramics such as HAp + β-TCP and Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 + Ca3(PO4)2, is a popular choice for optimizing performance due to its superior biological reabsorption and osseointegration. In this study, BCP was produced by calcining the bones of tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in net cages and slaughtered at an age ranging from 15 to 420 days. The bones were cleaned and dried, calcined at 900 °C for 8 h, and then subjected to high-energy grinding for 3 h to produce BCP powders. After the calcination process, the crystalline phase’s hydroxyapatite (HAp) and/or beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) were present in the composition of the bioceramic. The age-dependent variation in phase composition was confirmed by complementary vibrational spectroscopy techniques, revealing characteristic peaks and bands of the bioceramic. This variation was marked by an increase in HAp phase and a decrease in β-TCP phase. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) from 25 to 1400 °C showed the characteristic mass losses of the material, with a greater loss observed for younger fish, indicating the complete removal of organic components at temperatures above 600 °C. Comparison of the results obtained by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement with Raman spectroscopy showed excellent agreement. These results showed that with temperature and environment control and adequate fish feeding, it is possible to achieve the desired amounts of each phase by choosing the ideal age of the fish. This bioceramic enables precise measurement of HAp and β-TCP concentrations and Ca/P molar ratio, suitable for medical orthopedics and dentistry.

Mariculture in the Black Sea and its Impact on the Environment According to Satellite Observations

Satellite monitoring of film pollution on the surface of the Black Sea was carried out. A new source of them has been discovered – fish cages in the Adler-Kudepsta marine area, which produce biogenic films caused by oil and fat additives to fish feed used in industrial mariculture. It was concluded that despite their biogenic origin, they have a negative impact on local marine ecosystems.

A real-time feeding decision method based on density estimation of farmed fish

With the global population growth and increasing demand for high-quality protein, aquaculture has experienced rapid development. Fish culture management and feed supply are crucial components of aquaculture. Traditional baiting management relies on experiential judgment and regular observation, which often leads to inefficient baiting practices and wastage. To address these issues, intelligent bait casting decisions have emerged. Leveraging advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, intelligent bait casting decisions can overcome most drawbacks of traditional bait management and enhance breeding efficiency. However, most of the current intelligent baiting decisions are focused on using methods such as image processing and target detection to identify different feeding actions and patterns. These methods do not discuss based on video streams and do not consider the changes in fish behavior during the baiting process. Therefore, we proposed a real-time analysis method based on the density distribution of fish feeding behavior (FishFeed). Firstly, this method upgrades the input mechanism, not only handling static images but also capable of real-time video stream analysis. Secondly, by evaluating the fish school density distribution through a new intelligent baiting strategy, this method can monitor the feeding behavior of fish school during the baiting process in real time. Finally, we constructed a dataset for fish school density analysis (DlouFishDensity) that includes a wealth of video and image frames, providing a valuable resource for research. Experimental results indicate that our algorithm outperforms MCNN, improving MAE by 1.63 and 1.35, MSE by 1.92 and 1.58, and reducing prediction time by 2.56 seconds on the same dataset. By implementing real-time analysis of fish feeding behavior density distribution, our method offers a more efficient and effective approach to baiting management in aquaculture, contributing to improved breeding efficiency and resource utilization.

Aquaculture: A hidden goldmine for the rural poor—A cost–benefit analysis of fish farming for sustainable development and food security in Vihiga County, Kenya

AbstractIn Kenya, aquaculture plays a significant role in enhancing the livelihoods of rural communities by boosting the local economy and diversifying protein sources. Although Vihiga County in Western Kenya boasts considerable potential for aquaculture, it paradoxically experiences some of the highest levels of poverty and malnutrition in the country. The profitability of fish farming has also been affected by inefficiencies and poor resources, disproportionately affecting the income and nutritional value of rural poor who rely on Aquaculture as a source of cheap protein. The study was conducted in Vihiga County to assess the cost–benefit of aquaculture production, selecting 100 fish farmers through a stratified random sampling technique from five sub‐counties. A descriptive research design was employed, and data analysis was conducted using correlation and regression analysis with SPSS. Budgetary techniques were used for the cost–benefit analysis. Data presentation was by comparing the mean and standard deviation in US dollars of different pond size production. The research findings indicated that the size and type of pond do not have a significant correlation and differences in production (p‐value >.05). There is a strong positive correlation between the size of the pond and the stocking density. The variable cost (VC) has a positive correlation with pond productivity meaning that an increase in VC leads to an increase in production. And is not statistically significant (p‐value = .21827, p‐value >.05). Moreover, the total cost (TC) correlation is statistically significant (p‐value = .0351, p < .05). Larger ponds are more profitable but require higher costs production than smaller ponds. The study concludes that pond size significantly impacts productivity, advocating for smaller ponds to achieve higher net returns with lower production costs. Major challenges include high costs of feeds, inputs, fish diseases, and post‐harvest losses. Key policy variables influencing aquaculture in Vihiga County include infrastructure, fish feed production, capital, and fisheries extension services. Adequate financial support from both National and County governments is crucial for sustainable aquaculture in alignment with Kenya's Vision 2030 and Global Sustainable Development Goals. Policymakers are urged to assist small‐scale farmers with financing, training, and market information to optimize returns on investment.