Combating Fish Stress (Conclusion)
How the correct application of supplement can help promote stress resistance in aquaculture.
Feed supplements and additives
Commercial aquaculture feeds have initially been developed to meet the basic nutritional requirements of a few farmed species. Raw materials and ‘least-cost’ formulations should meet basic nutritional demands and support adequate, economic growth in healthy farming conditions. Nowadays there is an increased pressure on feed companies to deliver high quality feeds that preferably have a beneficial effect on animal performance. In addition, greater traceability and changing consumer demands ask for alternatives for specific feed additives such as e.g. antibiotics. Finally, there is, because of dramatically declining natural fish stocks, an urgent demand for alternatives for fish meal as protein source. A wide variety of supplements is nowadays available to meet those demands.
Feed supplements are nutrients or additives added to diet or feed ingredients either to:
• preserve its nutritional characteristics prior to feeding (antioxidants, mould inhibitors, mycotoxin binders);
• facilitate ingredient dispersion or feed pelleting (emulsifiers, stabilizers and binders);
• facilitate feed ingestion and digestion (attracts, feeding stimulants, digestive stimulants);
• increase consumer acceptance (food colourants) or improve meat quality;
• positively affect the immune system (immunostimulants);
• balanced gut microflora (prebiotic and probiotics)
• supply essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids cholesterol and phospholipids);
• increase nutrient and/or trace mineral availability.
Stress reduction by feed supplementation
Feed supplement gained wide acceptance in livestock production and they are very applicable in aquaculture production systems. Feeds supplements have been shown to improve performance, health and reproduction. However, still little information is available on the specific role pf supplements in stress resistance. However, this area is very promising and deserves more attention.
Knowledge in this field is growing rapidly and the challenges of modern feed formulations play an important role in the selective use of feed supplements. Further, as selected fish stocks show higher performance capabilities, so their nutritional requirements become more demanding. The challenges we face today require the careful application of this information pool and these must be backed by positive benefits in terms of growth performance and survivability of aquaculture stocks.
Evaluating feed supplements and additives
Many different types of feed supplements are being marketed. Profitability is a key factor when deciding if an additive should be used on a farm or not. Specific rearing conditions and health issues unique to that site will also play an important role in the strategy developed to reduce the negative impact of stress and disease.
In general it can be stated that natural feed (and also food) supplements perform better than synthetic products. Furthermore, the products should be developed after appropriate scientific research and should be marketed after thorough evaluation by the manufacturer.
In evaluating the usefulness, the following points should be considered:
• their role should be defined and demonstrated;
• they should be included in the feed at optional level ratio;
• they should be positioned properly in the feeding program;
• inclusion rates or application strategy may need to be adjusted to individual farm requirements;
• cost effectiveness should he evaluated in the different production environments or at the specific farm (level).
Fish living in their natural environment eating their natural food is the core of the approach to health and well being, However, this idyllic situation can never be achieved in a aquaculture. It is necessary to address the challenges associated with intensive aquaculture practices on the nutritional, environmental and management sides. Fortunately, it has been shown that certain high quality feed supplements and additives can play critical role in optimizing health and a performance in culture situation. Properly understood and applied, these supplements may complement even the best diets.
Alltech Inc introduced natural and effective products for aquaculture. These products have shown efficacy in reducing the negative impact of stress and disease on fish and shrimp stock performance. Bio-Mos, Nupro, Bioplex minerals and Sel-Plex have been shown to improve gut health morphology, immune status. Disease resistance plays an important role in antioxidative protection and mineral nutrition.
Part 1 –> Combating Fish Stress (Part 1)
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