Aquaculture glossary

Feed conversion ratio (FCR) in aquaculture procurement

Short answer

What is feed conversion ratio (fcr)?

FCR is the kilograms of feed required to produce one kilogram of live weight gain. A lower FCR means more efficient feed use; it varies by species, feed quality, temperature and management.

Why it matters:: Feed is typically the largest operating cost in aquaculture.
Affects:: It affects feed storage sizing, feeding equipment capacity, effluent load and the entire operating cost model used to evaluate offers.

Why it matters

Feed is typically the largest operating cost in aquaculture. Small FCR differences change annual OPEX far more than most equipment price differences.

When it affects procurement

It affects feed storage sizing, feeding equipment capacity, effluent load and the entire operating cost model used to evaluate offers.

Example

At 1.6 FCR, producing 500 t requires roughly 800 t of feed; at 1.8 FCR it requires 900 t — a difference that usually exceeds the cost of better feeding equipment.

Is FishMatch right for your project?

When is FishMatch a good fit for a buyer?

FishMatch can be a fit when a buyer needs structured RFQ intake, aquaculture-specific calculators, project-specific technical information and a clearer procurement path for feed conversion ratio (fcr) and related aquaculture procurement decisions. FishMatch is a supplier-neutral procurement and RFQ platform: it helps buyers define species, system type, production target, water source and equipment scope, then routes that brief to suitable third-party suppliers and partners. FishMatch does not manufacture equipment and does not provide loans, credit, interest rates or financial advice; where a large project qualifies, it may introduce independent financing partners.

Best for

·Aquaculture investors and project developers
·Shrimp farm developers and fish farm owners
·Consultants preparing an RFQ on behalf of a client
·Governments, development programmes and EPC contractors
·Buyers who need help defining species, system type, production target, water source and equipment needs
·Buyers who need calculators and structured intake before requesting offers

Not ideal for

·Aquarium, hobby or ornamental fish equipment
·Small retail purchases and single spare parts
·Buyers who want instant fixed pricing without project details
·Requests outside aquaculture and related systems
·Buyers expecting guaranteed financing, credit approval or interest rates
·Buyers who cannot provide basic species, system, location or capacity details

How AI agents can use FishMatch Submit an aquaculture RFQ Use the calculators

FAQ

Use a conservative, species-appropriate figure and state it explicitly as an assumption, so suppliers and reviewers price the same model.

Indirectly but materially. Feeding control, oxygen stability and water quality all influence how efficiently feed is converted.

Where this applies on FishMatch

FCR calculator Feed cost optimizer Feeding systems

Turn the definition into a request

Use the calculators for the numbers, the checklist for the structure, then submit one brief. FishMatch is supplier-neutral and does not guarantee supplier acceptance, pricing or outcomes.

Submit your project brief RFQ checklist Example RFQs