Eamonn O'Brien, Global Product Manager LifeStart, Skretting Global
The traditional approach to shrimp hatchery nutrition has long relied on complex dry feed cocktails, blending multiple diets to support the development of shrimp larvae. However, new research and trials indicate that a simplified, single dry feed diet—such as Elevia from Skretting—can outperform traditional methods in key areas like growth, survival, and operational efficiency.
Most shrimp hatcheries, particularly those cultivating Litopenaeus vannamei, have historically depended on mixed dry diets, or “cocktail feeding.” This method, while aiming to provide comprehensive nutrition, introduces significant variability, labor costs, and potential water quality issues. Hatchery managers must carefully balance multiple feed sources, leading to inconsistent nutritional delivery and increased risk of overfeeding or underfeeding. Furthermore, the sourcing and handling of multiple diet components add logistical complexity, increasing the likelihood of errors and inefficiencies.
Another critical challenge with cocktail feeding is the potential for inconsistent feed quality. Depending on the ingredients used, some batches may be more nutritionally dense than others, resulting in fluctuations in shrimp growth performance. Physically, different diets often vary by upto 100% in the size distribution which impact both water quality and uniform growth. This inconsistency can create additional challenges for hatchery operators who rely on stable and predictable larval development.
Elevia, a carefully formulated larval diet developed by Skretting, offers a streamlined alternative to cocktail feeding. Designed to provide complete and balanced nutrition throughout the shrimp larval phase, Elevia enhances both biological and operational performance in hatcheries. With its advanced formulation and research-backed efficacy, Elevia delivers consistent results, eliminating the uncertainties associated with cocktail feeding.
Commercial-scale trials comparing Elevia to traditional cocktail feeds have demonstrated significant benefits. Shrimp larvae fed exclusively with Elevia exhibited:
These improved outcomes result in a stronger and more resilient shrimp population. By supporting early-stage development with a balanced and easily digestible diet, Elevia helps hatcheries achieve better productivity and profitability.
One of the key advantages of Elevia is its contribution to improved water quality. Unlike cocktail feeds, which often include inconsistent ingredients that degrade and pollute hatchery systems, Elevia maintains stability in water, reducing the risks of ammonia buildup and microbial contamination. This leads to:
Water quality is a crucial factor in hatchery success, as poor water conditions can quickly lead to increased stress, disease outbreaks, and mortality. By using Elevia, hatcheries can maintain a cleaner environment, ensuring optimal conditions for shrimp larvae development.
Switching from cocktail feeding to a single diet such as Elevia presents clear operational benefits:
By eliminating the need for complex feed mixtures, hatcheries can streamline their feeding protocols, reducing labor demands and minimizing potential errors. Additionally, the higher feed efficiency of Elevia means that hatcheries can optimize feed use, ultimately reducing waste and lowering costs.
The success of Elevia lies in its advanced nutritional composition and formulation. Unlike conventional diets that rely heavily on fishmeal, Elevia incorporates innovative ingredients such as:
By leveraging these key ingredients, Elevia provides a nutritionally complete diet that aligns with the specific needs of shrimp larvae at different developmental stages. The formulation has been rigorously tested in commercial hatchery settings to ensure optimal performance across diverse production environments.
As the shrimp farming industry seeks more efficient and sustainable practices, single dry feed solutions like Elevia represent the future of hatchery nutrition. Its proven benefits in survival, growth, water stability, and ease of use make it a compelling choice for hatchery operators looking to optimize performance and profitability.
Furthermore, the use of Elevia aligns with broader industry trends focused on sustainability and responsible aquaculture. By reducing dependency on fishmeal-based diets, eliminating fish oil and improving feed efficiency, Elevia contributes to more environmentally friendly shrimp production.
By replacing complex cocktail feeding with a scientifically formulated single diet, Skretting’s Elevia is setting a new standard in shrimp hatchery nutrition—paving the way for a more sustainable and successful aquaculture industry. As hatcheries continue to evolve, adopting innovative diets like Elevia will be critical to enhancing productivity while ensuring long-term sustainability and profitability in the global shrimp sector.
