What are the reasons for poor performance of aquatic feed products?

 

 

Many fish farmers find problems as soon as they use the feed they buy – the aquatic feed crumbles into powder within minutes of being put into the water, and the fish and shrimp don't eat much of it before the water becomes cloudy; some pellets vary too much in size, so small fish can't eat them and larger fish don't get enough to eat. These are all signs of poor feed physical properties, which not only waste money but can also negatively impact fish and shrimp growth. However, many people don't realize these problems are indicative of poor performance and mistake them for normal phenomena.

 

 

1. Poor water resistance: Falls apart easily when soaked, and the water becomes cloudy.

Normal aquatic feed, when soaked in water, will float for 2-4 hours without disintegrating, and sink for 1-2 hours while remaining intact. If it falls apart into powder after only 10-20 minutes (e.g., crumbles easily when squeezed, leaving only residue in the water), it has poor water resistance. This is mostly due to insufficient pressure during pelleting on the production line (e.g., too large a gap between the pellet mill ring die) or too little binder added-the fish and shrimp don't have time to eat the feed before it falls apart, resulting in waste, water pollution, and algae growth.

 

2. Insufficient pellet hardness: Too much debris during transportation and storage.

Good aquatic feed pellets are not easily crushed by hand, and when transported in bags, the proportion of debris should not exceed 5%. If they crumble easily when squeezed, leaving half the bag filled with powder, it indicates insufficient hardness. This could be due to insufficient temperature in the extruder on the production line (failure to compact the raw materials) or incomplete cooling (the moisture content in the pellets not dropping below 12%). Too much debris can cause fish and shrimp to choke, and it also leads to powder floating on the surface during feeding, wasting feed.

 

3. Uneven pellet size: some are too large, some too small.

Normal aquatic feed pellet size variation should not exceed 0.5mm (e.g., feed labeled 4mm, with a maximum of 4.5mm and a minimum of 3.5mm). If a bag of feed contains both 2mm fine pellets and 6mm coarse pellets, it indicates uneven size. This is caused by poor screening on the production line (e.g., a broken screen in the screening machine, failing to separate different sized pellets) or wear and tear on the pellet mill die (enlarged die holes). Small fish cannot eat the coarse pellets, and large fish disdain the fine pellets, resulting in either excessive leftover feed or uneven growth of fish and shrimp.

 

4. Irregular Pellet Shape: Rough Edges, Clumps

Good aquatic feed pellets are rounded cylinders or ovals with smooth surfaces. If the pellets have rough edges (as if they've been cut with a knife), or several pellets stick together in large clumps, they are irregularly shaped. This is caused by wear on the pellet mill's pressure rollers (failing to flatten the raw material), or by the pellets not dispersing properly during cooling (piling together and sticking). Large, clumped pellets are too tough for fish and shrimp to chew, eventually sinking to the bottom and spoiling, polluting the aquatic environment.

 

 

 

When buying aquatic feed, first soak a few pellets in water for 1 hour to see if they break apart; then grab a handful and squeeze them to see if they are hard; finally, pour them out to see if they are uniform in size-these three steps can quickly determine the quality of the feed and help you avoid buying inferior feed.

 

 

 

 

MIKIM boasts extensive experience in poultry feed pellet production lines, significantly reducing the incidence of poultry diseases. Its equipment is not only widely used across various industries domestically but also exported to Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America, earning a high reputation internationally. This global presence not only demonstrates the adaptability and competitiveness of its products, but also demonstrates the company's experience in adapting to diverse market standards and logistics conditions, enabling it to provide a stable supply chain for its overseas customers. Whether serving large domestic farms or cross-border feed companies, MIKIM can leverage its global service network to ensure a consistent, high-quality experience.

 

For more information on process flow design, equipment layout, factory construction plans, individual equipment pricing, or turnkey project proposals, please feel free to contact us!!!

 

 

 

1. What is the price of the animal feed extruder line?

The price ranges from approximately $10,000-$46,000

2. Do you provide maintenance services for your customers?
Yes, we offer comprehensive after-sales maintenance services to our customers.

 

 

 

Contact now