Oxygenation for Aquaculture

Ensuring optimal oxygen levels for disease-free, high density fish farms

Healthy fish require a constant supply of fresh, clean water. Controlling the oxygen concentration in the water is therefore, of vital importance to the fish farm.

Maintaining the right oxygen level in the water also improves feed utilisation, shortens the growth period and reduces fish mortality meaning appropriate use of oxygen will significantly enhance the fish farm’s financial viability and provide additional production stability.

Oxygen transfer rate into water is greater with pure oxygen than with air, significantly reducing pumping energy and avoiding the risk of super saturation. As the use of pure oxygen is technically and economically superior to simple aeration - the advantages more than compensate for the extra cost.

Oxygenation in Aquaculture

Negative impact of low oxygen levels

Saturation levels can drop to 85% with no negative effect on fish well-being, yet once it falls to 75%, the fish reduce their metabolism. Below that level, appetite decreases further, and at 60% the fish start to die. Massive mortality results if oxygen saturation keeps falling to reach 40% or even 30%.

Benefits of oxygenation

Maintaining oxygen saturation levels above 90% is the key to efficient aquaculture. Efficient oxygen dissolution and distribution systems have a positive impact on several key parameters:

  • Improve feed conversion ratio (FCR) for feed cost savings
  • A reduction in the FCR from 1.5 to 1.0 can lower production costs by up to 20%
  • Higher specific growth rate (SGR) for increased profitability
  • Increase fish growth rates even on higher stocking densities
  • Promotion of animal welfare in accordance with active corporate responsibility, compliance with regulatory requirements and consumer and retail demands
  • Lower fish stress and mortality

With the SOLVOX® product line, BOC offers the right solution to meet these specific needs. SOLVOX comprises a variety of oxygen dissolution and distribution products and solutions.

Find out more about SOLVOX