Pellet size for grouper
Table 5 of ACIAR 150. For other fish, see each species page.
| Fish length | Pellet size |
|---|---|
| 25–30 mm | 1.2–2.0 mm |
| 30–35 mm | 2.0 mm |
| 35–45 mm | 2.5–3.0 mm |
| 45–55 mm | 3.0 mm |
| 55–75 mm | 4.0 mm |
| 75–100 mm | 5.0 mm |
How to feed
Many meals, start early
Feed nursery grouper at least 4–6 times a day from dawn to sunset (ACIAR). Cobia of 5–8 cm get 4–6 meals.
Wean gradually
Mix new with old feed and raise the share. Moving from trash fish to pellets can take weeks, with poorer appetite and more size spread, especially in tiger grouper.
Stick with one feed
Fish going to a pellet farm should be weaned before leaving the hatchery and kept on pellets through the nursery (ACIAR).
Trash fish can carry disease
Trash fish can carry parasites, viruses and bacteria, and freezing does not kill most bacteria and viruses (NACA, SEAFDEC). For seed, commercial feed is safer. If you must use it, choose very fresh fish and add 1–2% vitamin and mineral premix as the manual says.
Feed storage
- Keep cool, dry and ventilated, away from sun, rain and chemicals.
- Keep off the floor and away from vermin.
- Use within 2 months of manufacture (NACA). An older text says no more than 3 months.
- Old feed loses vitamins, fatty acids and antioxidants. Mouldy feed can cause mass deaths.
Mixed into feed: label doses
Only products whose labels name fish seed or marine fish. Coat after mixing and dry for 20 minutes before feeding.
| Product | Label covers | Dose |
|---|---|---|
| ACTISEL | Fish seed | 1–2 g/kg feed, 1 meal a day, every 2–3 days |
| BIOLACT GOLD | Small fry and fingerlings | 1–2 g/kg feed, 1–2 times a day |
| MAX LIVER | Small fry and fingerlings | 1–2 g/kg feed, once a day |
| HEPA PRO | Fish seed | 1 g/kg feed, 1–2 meals a day |
| VIMIX | Fish seed, routine | 1 kg/600–800 kg feed |
| BETAGLUCAN GRO | Marine fish | 0.5–1 g/kg feed, 1 meal a day |
| BIOMAX | Marine fish | 0.5–1 g/kg feed, once a day |
| CANFORTA | Marine fish | 1 kg/1,500–2,000 kg feed, 1 meal a day |
Doses are copied from product labels. Than Vuong has no day-by-day protocol for marine fish seed yet, so call our team to work it out for your tanks and stock.