Amaranth meal (also known as amaranth meal) is a valuable addition to fish diets in aquaculture due to its rich nutritional composition and beneficial properties.
Benefits of amaranth meal for fish farming:
• High protein content: Amaranth meal contains up to 20% protein, and in terms of lysine (an essential amino acid), it is twice as high as wheat protein. This high protein content with a balanced amino acid composition contributes to the rapid growth of fish, their healthy development and weight gain.
• Rich amino acid profile: Amaranth contains 18 of the 20 essential amino acids (both essential and non-essential), which is unique among plant crops and makes it a complete source of protein.
• Source of healthy fats: The meal contains healthy fats, the main part of which is unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic, linolenic).
• Contains micro- and macroelements: Amaranth cake is rich in pectins, micro- and macroelements that are important for the overall health and immunity of fish.
• Improves digestion and feed absorption: The pectic substances in the cake protect the intestines of fish, contributing to better absorption of nutrients from the main feed.
• Antibacterial and antiparasitic properties: Amaranth has anti-inflammatory, regenerative, antiviral and antiparasitic properties. It can help stabilize the intestinal microflora of fish, eliminate toxins and prevent the development of pathogenic bacteria (e.g. Staphylococcus sp., Clostridium sp., yeast and mold) in the feed.
• Increases immunity and disease resistance: Thanks to a complex of biologically active substances, amaranth cake can strengthen the immune system of fish, making it more resistant to diseases.
• Increased productivity: Studies show that including amaranth in fish diets can lead to an increase in average fish weight and overall productivity.
• Economic feasibility: The use of amaranth meal can reduce the cost of compound feeds, reduce dependence on expensive protein components such as fish meal.
How to feed or add to feed:
Amaranth meal can be used as a valuable additive to compound feeds for fish or as a separate bait.
1. In compound feeds:
o Dosage: Ukrainian producers most often add amaranth meal or meal to concentrated feeds in an amount of 5-15% of the total weight, depending on the feed formulation and the age group of the fish.
o Grinding: It is recommended to grind the meal well, especially if it is used for young fish or for fast-acting bait.
o Mixing: Thoroughly mix the crushed cake with the other components of the feed to ensure even distribution.
2. As a bait:
o To attract fish: You can use fairly large, whole pieces of cake as a bait to attract fish to the fishing area in advance. Amaranth cake, like sunflower cake, has an attractive smell for fish.
o For fast action: If a fast action of the bait is required during fishing, the cake is ground to small particles.
o Forming balls: Add 10-15% of the crushed cake to the total weight of the bait (without water), form balls and feed the desired area.
o In feeders: Large pieces of cake can also be used as a flavoring in feeders of feeder equipment.
Important points:
• Gradual introduction: When introducing any new component to the fish diet, it is recommended to do so gradually so that the fish can adapt.
• Meal quality: Use high-quality amaranth meal that does not show signs of spoilage (mold, unpleasant odor).
• Storage: Store the meal in a dry, cool place, protected from direct sunlight, to avoid oxidation of fats and loss of nutritional properties.
Overall, amaranth meal is a promising and useful ingredient for aquaculture, which helps improve the growth, health and overall productivity of fish.
Effects of use:
Adding amaranth meal to the fish diet gives the following results:
• Increase in average daily gain.
• Reduction of fattening period.
• Increase in immunity and resistance to diseases.
• Improve appetite.
