Grower

Achieve efficient and uniform growth

Main target in this stage
Efficient growth, profitable farming
The grower stage is critical for successful fish farming, as fish are either raised to market size or prepared for the finisher stage. At this stage, efficient and uniform growth, feed efficiency, and cost control are essential. Maintaining fish health and high survival rates is also crucial, as significant investments have already been made the fish become increasingly valuable as they grow.

Overfeeding of fish

Overfeeding not only causes water pollution but also leads to unnecessary extra costs. You may be overfeeding your fish if pellets remain un-eaten and float on the water surface for more than 5 minutes. Following a feeding table will give you a good indication of the daily feed quantities your fish need. However, always monitor the response of fish when feeding, and do not feed more than what is directly consumed
Check the feeding scheme as a guideline

How can I reduce mortalities?

Keep stress to a minimum. Stress due to high stocking densities, handling and poor water quality can weaken fish immune systems, making them more susceptible to disease. Carefully monitor the behavior of your fish during feeding. Follow proper biosecurity guidelines to reduce the risk of illness.
Check out these biosecurity tips

Increasing pond carrying capacity

Every system has a carrying capacity limit. Ensure aeration and water exchange to maintain oxygen and prevent ammonia or H₂S buildup. Use probiotics to break down waste, and in emergencies, apply yucca extracts or clays to bind ammonia. Monitor feeding, stocking density, and water quality closely to maintain healthy conditions and maximize your pond’s capacity.
Check out our pond quality booster

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Key questions in the grower stage

Feed your fish well, as feed quality directly impacts growth rates. Grower feeds should balance essential nutrients according to the species' needs, helping achieve optimal Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR). For example proteins in grower feeds are lower because fish have developed the ability to digest a more varied diet, and because they grow slower in percentage weight gain per day. Choosing the right feed ensures efficient growth and better results.

Check out the grower feeds assortment

Something is wrong, but it is not always easy to establish what could be the issue. What you should do 1) Feed the fish less to prevent metabolic stress, while ensuring it still receives enough feed for recovery. 2) Sample fish that seem affected but are still alive. 3) Check water quality parameters. 4. Inspect fish behaviour. 5) Observe for disease indicators.

Contact your aqua expert to find out what is the issue

Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, cold snaps or storms, can stress fish and disrupt feeding and growth. Reduce feeding if the feeding response goes down, but maintain feeding so fish can recover from any stress. In lake systems monitor water parameters and take measures when possible in case the risk of an upwelling is high.

Read how to manage seasonality