For projects from USD 250,000
Choosing aquaculture equipment, feed and farm design as one project
Short answer: start from species, site and target tonnes; choose the production system; then size water treatment, oxygen, feeding, monitoring and biosecurity; then pick feed by growth stage and compare it on cost per kg of fish. Cost the whole farm (CAPEX and OPEX) before asking for prices, and send one combined request so quotes can be compared on the same scope.
1. Equipment by species, system and scale
Which production system fits my species, site and target tonnes?
- Production system: RAS, flow-through, pond, biofloc or sea cage — set by water availability, site exposure, climate and market.
- Water treatment: mechanical filtration, biofilter sized to feed load, CO₂ stripping, UV/ozone disinfection.
- Oxygenation: aeration vs pure oxygen (on-site generation or liquid oxygen) and backup supply.
- Feeding and monitoring: feeders, sensors (O₂, temperature, pH, ammonia), alarms and data access.
- Biosecurity: quarantine, separated units, disinfection points, mortality handling.
Go deeper: RAS vs pond vs sea-cage comparison · Aquaculture equipment guide · RAS system design · On-site vs liquid oxygen · Water treatment projects · Offshore sea-cage farms · Oyster aquaculture equipment
2. Feed by species and growth stage
Which feed, at which stage, at what landed cost per kg of fish?
- Species and stage: starter, grower and finisher diets differ in pellet size, protein and fat.
- Feed conversion (FCR): the biggest OPEX driver — compare quotes on cost per kg of fish produced, not price per tonne of feed.
- Ingredients: protein sources, fishmeal/fish-oil share and certification requirements of your buyers.
- Landed cost: ex-works price + freight + duties + storage losses, delivered to your farm.
- Feeding system fit: pellet size and sinking/floating behaviour must match feeders and tanks or cages.
Go deeper: Feed guide by species · Feeding rates and prices · Feed cost optimizer · Feeding systems RFQ · Biofloc sizing, feed and FCR
3. Hatchery and farm planning, CAPEX/OPEX and financing
What will it cost to build and run, and can it be financed?
- Hatchery vs bought-in juveniles: supply security against extra CAPEX and skills.
- CAPEX: buildings, tanks or cages, water treatment, oxygen, power backup, installation and commissioning.
- OPEX: feed, juveniles, energy, oxygen, labour, mortality and maintenance.
- Energy and water: pumping head, heating/cooling, make-up water and discharge permits.
- Financing: lenders look for a costed scope, conservative production assumptions and a responsible contractor per package.
Go deeper: Project CAPEX guide · OPEX guide · Hatchery equipment · Project financing · Calculator assumptions and methods
Three ways buyers source a project — compared
Company descriptions below summarise each company's own public website; they are not endorsements and we have no affiliation with them.
Technology/system supplier (e.g. AKVA group)
AKVA group describes itself as a supplier of technology and services for sea-based and land-based aquaculture, including cage farming equipment and land-based recirculation systems.
Fits: Buyers who already chose one supplier's technology and want it delivered as a package.
Check: Scope of feed, juveniles, civil works and permits that sit outside the supplier's package.
Source: akvagroup.com
Feed company (e.g. Skretting, BioMar)
Skretting (part of Nutreco) and BioMar both describe themselves as aquafeed producers offering species-specific feeds for fish and shrimp.
Fits: Operating farms choosing a feed programme for a known species and system.
Check: Feed is one input; it does not cover the tanks, water treatment or construction the feed will be used in.
Source: skretting.com · biomar.com
Independent managed RFQ (FishMatch)
You submit one project request; our team reviews and normalizes it, contacts suitable suppliers for you and presents comparable responses through FishMatch.
Fits: New or expanding projects from USD 250,000 that need equipment, feed and design compared together.
Check: We do not manufacture equipment or feed, and we do not guarantee prices, yields or supplier response times.
Source: /rfq-process
More on this choice: EPC vs independent procurement · turnkey projects.
Calculator assumptions you should check
Our calculators show estimates from the inputs you enter. Replace these with your own data before relying on any result:
| Input | What to know |
|---|---|
| Feed price | Entered per tonne delivered. Use your landed cost, not a list price. |
| FCR | Default values are planning inputs; real FCR depends on species, stage, temperature, feed and management. |
| Mortality / survival | Calculators apply a fixed survival rate across the cycle; set it from your own or your hatchery's records. |
| Growth | Harvest weight and cycle length are inputs, not predictions. No calculator guarantees yield. |
| Energy | Power use and tariff are inputs; pumping head and heating are the main swing factors. |
| Water | Make-up water rate depends on the system (RAS vs flow-through) and must match your permit. |
| Financing | Interest rates are indicative ranges; the lender's term sheet decides the real cost. |
Full formulas and sources: calculator methodology · all calculators.
One RFQ for the full project
Include these in a single request so equipment, feed and design responses match each other:
- Species, target tonnes per year, harvest size and market
- Site: location, water source and quality data, power, climate, land or sea area
- Production system preference (or ask us to compare options)
- Equipment packages: water treatment, oxygen, feeding, monitoring, biosecurity
- Feed needs by growth stage and expected annual volume
- Hatchery or juvenile supply plan
- Budget range (from USD 250,000), timeline and financing status
- Who you need for installation, commissioning, training and after-sales
Use the RFQ checklist and read how we review responses.
Questions
Should I choose equipment or feed first?
Neither on its own. The species and production system set the equipment, and the equipment (feeders, tanks or cages, temperature) affects which feed works. Plan them together and send one combined request.
Is RAS better than sea cages?
Not in general. RAS gives control over water and location but costs more to build and uses more energy; sea cages need suitable sheltered or offshore sites and permits. The right answer depends on species, site and market.
How should I compare feed quotes?
On cost per kg of fish produced: landed feed price multiplied by the FCR you can realistically achieve, plus the effect on survival and growth time.
Does FishMatch connect me directly with suppliers?
No. You submit your project to FishMatch; our team reviews it, contacts suitable suppliers for you and presents the responses through FishMatch.
Is there a minimum project size?
Yes. We review procurement requests for projects from USD 250,000. Smaller projects can still use the free calculators and guides.
Send your project for review
For projects from USD 250,000. Our team reviews your request, contacts suitable suppliers for you and presents comparable responses through FishMatch.
Start a project request