Feed Management · 6 min read
How to Calculate Daily Fish Feed Requirement: A Practical Guide
Master the formulas, methods, and considerations for determining optimal feeding rates and maximising your profitability.
Calculating the correct amount of daily feed is essential for maximizing growth while minimizing waste and costs. This guide provides practical methods for determining optimal feeding rates.
Basic Feed Calculation Formula
The standard formula is: Daily Feed (kg) = Total Fish Biomass (kg) × Feeding Rate (%). For example, if your pond has 1000 kg of fish and the feeding rate is 3%, you need 30 kg of feed per day.
Feeding rates vary by species, size, and water temperature. Smaller fish typically require higher rates (5-10% of body weight), while larger fish need lower rates (1-3%).
Adjusting for Conditions
Water temperature significantly affects fish metabolism and feeding. Reduce feeding by 50% when temperatures drop below optimal ranges. Stop feeding entirely during extreme cold or disease outbreaks.
Monitor dissolved oxygen levels—feed less during low oxygen conditions. Observe feeding response and adjust accordingly; uneaten feed indicates overfeeding.