By: Nurul Ezzaty Mohd Azhari
Photo: Md Nasir Hussin
SERDANG, April 26- The development of aquaculture as a source of protein has led to a more robust culture of fish and shrimp farming nowadays.
To increase the growth and survival rate of fish and prawn larvae in the production of seed stocks, a group of researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) had successfully invented a micro-diet feed called FS Feed.
Principal Researcher, Dr. Muhammad Fadhil Syukri, Faculty of Agriculture, UPM, said FS Feed was made with 100 per cent organic ingredients to replace live feed such as Rotifer and Artemia for fish and prawn seeds.
He mentioned that the increasing demand for Artemia around the world had resulted in its limited supply and availability in addition to the rising prices yearly.
“Due to the limitations and cost of live feed, FS Feed could be the alternative diet to replace live feed. FS also provides better fish farming at a lower cost, as well as it can be easily digested and absorbed by fish larvae.
“There are a variety of FS Feed sizes ranging from 125 to 500 micrometre where it can be given directly to the larvae without the need for pre-culture or treatment. Therefore, the growth and survival rate of fish and prawn larvae can be maintained or improved by using FS feed,” he added.
In his speech at the Putra Cipta press conference at Putra Science Park today, he said the invention of the micro-diet feed formula also guarantees the food safety of aquaculture life.
Also present at the programme were the Deputy Director of Innovation Promotion and Commercialisation, Putra Science Park, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wan Nurhayati Wan Ab. Rahman, Deputy Director of the Centre for Corporate Strategy and Relations, UPM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Izani Mohd Zain and Head of the Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Agriculture, UPM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yuzine Esa.
He added that fish oil is the main ingredient of this micro feed to support fish and prawn larvae growth and survival.
“FS Feed is highly suitable to be used by breeders of fish and prawn larvae because it reduces food cost by using local products, and it does not require much manpower for food care. Other than that, FS Feed technology is able to sustain production all year round and is supplied directly to breeders,” he said.
FS Feed can be purchased directly through www.thefsfeed.com, fishshrimpfeed Facebook, or contact 0139232116, and it is sold in three different pack sizes (10g RM15, 20g RM25 and 100g RM85). – UPM
