FEED FORMULATION AND PREPARATION OF

ARTIFICIAL DIETS USING PEARSON SQUARE

METHOD FOR ORNAMENTAL FISHES
 Why ornamental fishes need food and feed formulation ?
Like other fishes ornamental fishes require food containing protein, lipids,
carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals etc
Protein: Protein provides necessary material to build up muscle cells and tissue. Most
of the Ornamental fish require crude protein level in a range between 30-
45%.
Carbohydrates: carbohydrate provide instant energy. Carbohydrates is required between
30-50%.
Lipids: lipid provides main energy sources . Lipid level between 4-8%
Vitamins and minerals : help build up fish health and strengthen bones.
Probiotics: Supplementation with probiotics gives resistance for diseases, provides
nutritional advantages and facilitates improvement of aquarium environment.
Table 1. Nutritional requirement for different growth stages of fishes

Nutrient Fishes of all Young Brood

groups
Protein 30-45% 40-45% 30-35%
Carbohydrates 30-50% 40-45% 40-45%
Lipids 4-9% 4-6% 6-8%

Reference: Ornamental fish farming, Saroj K Swain & Co 2010 (ICAR)

What are the main food sources of ornamental fish ?
• Fishes in wild feed on a large variety of foods and their diets is
dependent upon the availability of foods in that particular
environment.
• Food types also change with season change.
• In aquarium, fishes are maintained in a closed environment
, in addition to live foods; pelleted balanced diet s are given
for breeding and maintenance .
• For breeding and culture, live food is the best, but for that
we need extra 1-2 nursery earthen tanks to produce
zooplankton uninterrupted.
• Besides live food supplementary feed is require to satisfy
nutritional levels.
• On the top of nutritional requirements feeding behavior and
their habitats must be well acquainted.
#Most of the feeds are imported from Countries like
Singapore, China, Korea, Thailand and many countries. To
reduce this imports we can formulate required feed for
larvae and grow-out stages with locally available ingredients.

# Preparing of good quality fish feed with optimum levels of

protein, carbohydrates, vitamins-minerals from available
sources and diets is the best way.

# Ornamental fish feed and feed ingredients are generally

selected on the basis of the availability, nutrient composition
and physical properties.
# Ingredients should be of very good quality and free from
pathogens.
LIVE FOOD: ZOOPLANKTON AND PHYTOPLANKTON
 PLANT SOURCES

Wheat bran Wheat flour Rice bran Rice polish

Maize bran Maize bran Soybean meal Azolla

Spirulina Ground nuts cake Carotenoids

 Table No. 2. Composition of plant sources
Plant sources Crude Crude Crude fiber NFE* Ash Remarks
Protein lipid

Wheat-bran 9-15 2-8 4-12 30-50 2-5 C-sources

Wheat flour 13-14 3-4 2-3 50-60 2-3 C-sources

Maize bran 9-12 4-6 2-3 70-80 2-3 C-sources

Rice bran 8-11 12-16 10-15 40-45 5-8 C-sources

Rice polish 11-14 10-15 7-9 40-45 5-7 C-sources

Soybean meal 45-55 1-2 4-6 30-35 5-8 P-sources

Ground nuts 40-45 4-8 6-7 30-35 7-8 P-sources

cake
Spirulina 50.5 1 2.1 26.7P& C11
sources
P- Protein, P&C- Protein & β –carotene, C- carbohydrate, NFE= Nitrogenous Fecal Excretion

Reference: Ornamental fish farming Saroj K Swain and co 2010 (ICAR)

 ANIMAL SOURCES

Fish meal Fish meal Earthworm meal

Prawn head meal Liver meal

Silk worm pupae meal

Table. No. 3. Composition of Animal sources
Animal Crude Crude Crude NFE Ash Remark
sources Protein lipid fiber * s
Fish meal 40-50 6-10 2-3 5-8 25-35 P-sources

Prawn meal 28-30 8-10 1-5 3-4 45-50 P-sources

Silkworm pupae 60-65 18-20 3-5 3-5 4-8 P-sources

meal
Liver meal 60-65 3-4 1-2 20-21 2-3 P-sources

Earth worm 50-52 3-4 12-13 14-15 12-13 P-sources

P- Protein, P&C- Protein & β –carotene, C- carbohydrate, NFE= Nitrogenous feacal excretion

Reference: Ornamental fish farming Saroj K. Swain and co 2010 (ICAR)

Table 4. Minerals and vitamins required for ornamental fishes.
Minerals Units Vitamins Units
Calcium 5g A 5000-10000 IU
Phosphorus 7g D3 100-200 IU
Magnesium 500mg E 5-20
Potassium 1-3g K 5-20IU
Sodium 1-3g C 200-400mg
Sulphur 3-5g B1 50-100mg
Chlorine 1-5g B2 30-50mg
Iron 50-100g B6 30-50mg
Copper 1-4 g B12 0.02-1.0MG
Manganese 20-50g Biotin 0.5-1.0mg
Cobalt 5-10 mg Choline 200-400mg
Zinc 30-100mg Folic acid 10-500mg
Iodine 100-300mg Inositol 200-300mg
Molybdenum Trace Niacin 100-150mg
Chromium Trace Pantothenic acid 50-100mg
 Selection of food sources and preparation of pelleted fish feed:

# After procurement of raw materials, formulation of feed is

essential.
# As per the nutritive requirement of the specific species,
ingredients are mixed for preparing feed.
# To formulate a good feed, one must select commonly available
good quality ingredients to make it palatable.
# The initial stage in feed formulation is balancing crude protein
and energy levels by using PEARSON SQUARE METHOD
(PSM)
# Besides protein and carbohydrates, if fish requires additional
vitamin-mineral mixture or any feed additive, then it can be
included in the diet by reducing carbohydrate rich ingredients.
 What is Pearson Square Method?
• It was first formulated by a British scientist Karl
Pearson
• It is an useful tool for simplifying and balancing
of ratios.
• It shows the proportion or percentage or parts
of two feeds to be mixed together to give a
percentage of the needed nutrient or source of
Protein , Carbohydrates etc. Karl Pearson
Born: 27 March 1857

• The amount or quantity of the crude protein or Islington, London, England

carbohydrates sources should be known first Died: 27 April 1936 ( 79)

Coldharbour, Surrey, England
before mixing or formulation.
• Finally we have to set the target percentage of Nationality: British
Alma mater:
protein for the food to be formulated. King's College, Cambridge
University of Heidelberg
 How much amount of protein sources
you need to mix together for making
25%, 30% 35%, 45% etc for 1kg or
200kg of feed for your fish?
# Depending of the feeding nature of fish whether carnivore or
omnivore or herbivore we should know the target protein
concentration of the feed to be prepared according to the need
of fish.

# Ornamental fish feed normally are prepared between 25-35%

Protein concentration.
 Let us do feed formulation by using Pearson Square
Method by using two food sources of protein wheat
flour (WF) and Fish Meal (FM)
Wheat flour (WF)= 13-14 % protein concentration
(13%)
Fish meal (FM) = 40-50% protein concentration (50%)

Let us put 25% protein concentration as the target

protein for the feed to be prepared.

Let us say we are going to make 1kg of fish feed

containing 30% of protein from the wheat flour and fish
meal as main food sources of protein
Step 1.
• Draw a 1 to 2 inches square place diagonal
line across the square.
Step 2
• Write the percentage of crude protein needed
by the fish in the center of the square where
the Diagonal lines cross.

25%
Step 3:
• Write the feeds to be used at each corner, and
place the percentage of crude protein in the
feeds after the name of feed.
Wheat flour 13%
(WF)

25%

Fish Meal
50%
(FM)
Step 4:
• Subtract the smaller of the numbers from the larger
numbers (this involves crude protein needed by the
fish and that provided by the feed source) write the
difference in the opposite corners. PARTS
Wheat flour 13% 25=50-25 (WF)
(WF)

25%

Fish Meal
50% 12=25-13 (FM)
(FM)
 STEP 5
• The numbers at the two corners are parts of the feed
ingredients that are needed , do the Maths
PARTS
Wheat flour 13% 25=50-25 (WF)
(WF)

25 parts WF
25% + 12 parts FM
= 37 total parts

Fish Meal
(FM) 50% 12=25-13 (FM)

37 Total Parts
STEP 6.
• The percentage of each feed needed in the
diet can be calculated by dividing the number
of parts by the total parts, then multiply by
100
• Do the Maths
• 25/37= 0.6756 x 100= 67.56 % of WF
• 12/37= 0.3243 x 100= 32.43% of FM
STEP:6
PARTS

Wheat flour 13% 25=50-25 (WF)

(WF)
25/37 X 100 % WF
= 0.6756 x 100 %
= 67.56%
25%

Fish Meal 12=25-13 (FM)

50%
(FM)
12/37 X 100
= 0.3243 x 100
= 3 2.43 % FM

= 37 Total Parts
 Step 7:
• The amount of each feed ingredients for a
large batch or feed is determined by
multiplying the percentage of each by the
total amount of the feed desired.
• For example let us say 10 kg of feed
• 10kg/ 0.6756= 6.756 kg of Wheat flour (WF)
• 10kg/0.3243 = 3.243 Kg of Fish Meal (FM)

Finally the food is formulated and now we can say that

the formulated feed as
10kg of fish feed containing @ 25% Crude Protein
 Feed Preparation Process
• After ensuring different nutritive values of the ingredients and the
composition of the feed mixture, each ingredient is finally
powdered in a pulverizer of a mixer separately and kept in trays.

• Some additives like vitamin mineral mixture , proviotics

supplements and enzymes at required levels are also added to this
mixture. For essential fatty acids 1% each of vegetable oil and fish
oil/ cod liver oil can be added.

• After mixing thoroughly different powdered ingredients including

binder, water is added at 400ml for every 1kg of feed to make
dough.

• Feed additives are added after sterilization or cooking to improve

feed quality.
• The dough is then cooked for 10-15 minutes in pressure cooker or
autoclave for sterilization that improves digestibility.

• The moist substances are cooled to attain normal temperature. Then

feed additives are added by spraying over them.
•
• The dough is passed through a hand pelletizer to make nodules. For
different size group of fishes, different sizes of sieves can be used (1-
3 mm diameter is used for large size fish).

• After making moist pellets they should be dried at 40-45°C to avoid fat
oxidation and protein denaturation at high temperature.
• Pellets can be dried in fully ventilated place, may be under shade. Solar
drier may also be used.

• After drying, pellets can be broken into different granular forms for
different smaller size groups of fishes through mesh/ sieves.
Pelletizer For large scale production

Pellets
• Pellets can be stored in an air tight container to
avoid moisture.
• It is advisable to keep feed in a cool dark place.
• Feed should not be kept for long time after
preparation so it will be good to prepare
required fresh food for fish in every two
months.
• For commercial production of feed, preservatives
like sodium benzoate (C6H5COONa) at 0.1% can
be added.
 SIZE OF PELLET OR GRANULE RECOMENDATED
ACCORDING TO BODY SIZE

Body Specification Feeding at Diameter Length

weight (g) body wt (%) (mm) (mm)

0.4-0.1 Granules/ 10-15 0.8-1.5 -

crumbles
1.0-3.0 Granules/ 10-15 1.5-2.0 -
crumbles
3.0-5.0 Fine pellet 8-10 2.0 3.0-4.0
5.0-15.0 Pellet 5-8 2.0-3.0 4.0-5.0
15.0-25.0 Pellet 3-5 3 5.0-6.0
25.0 Pellet 3 3.0-40 6.0-7.0
 Underfeeding and overfeeding
#UNDER FEEDING:
• When fish does not accept prepared feed or any other live-food, means the
fish is in stress, the checking of water quality, inspect feed quality and also
appearance of diseased conditions, may be due to improper feed formulation.
Therefore fish should be checked and also its environment from time to time.
If underfeeding is continued for long duration they may become emaciated
and finally dies. Therefore feeding properly on time is necessary for the
health of fish.
# OVER FEEDING:
• Unconsumed feed remain after the feeding in the water after a long time is a
sign of overfeeding. The complete consumption of feed by fish means a good
health of the fish. Over feeding causes pathogenic conditions and spoils water
quality of the tank as well as increases ammonia and other products of decay,
causing diseases. Feeding should be done by a concern person at particular
place and time to avoid overfeeding.
 Colour Enhancers for Ornamental fish:
• Enhancing of colour is very important for ornamental fish because bright and multiple
colour are the first attractive part of fish.

• Carotenoids a kind of pigments are the primary source of colour in the ornamental fish
skin. Different colours in fish are due to carotenoids and carotenoid-protein complexes.

• Carotenoids are only synthesized by plants and modification take place in animal tissues,
so the only source are plants so ornamental fish can get only through their diets. It should
be ensure that the fish get a constant intake and adequate amount of carotenoids from the
feed.
• Carotenoids are a group of naturally occurring lipid-soluble pigments that are produced
primarily in plants (including phytoplanktons and algae).

• Zanthophylls are synthesized in green materials starting early in the summer and maturing
to yellow/red pigments of autumn leaves, fruits, flowers, roots and fungi. Eg marigolds,
tomatoes, peppers, maize, carrots, beetroot and mushrooms.

• Carotenoids also have roles in reproduction, respiration, membrane permeability, light

absorption, reflection and efficiency of immune system.
 Pigments and Respective Colours
Pigment Colour Found in
Lutehin Greenish-
yellow
Tunaxanthin Yellow
Beta-carotene Orange
Eichinenone Red
Astaxanthin Red Molluscs, crustaceans , fishes, shrimps,
prawan, krill, trout and salmon
Canthaxanthin Orange-red
Zeaxanthin Yellow-
orange
Doradexanthins Yellow
Taraxanthin Deep
orange
Citranaxanthin Yellow-red
Role of Antioxidant in maintaining carotenoid level:

An antioxidant should be included to improve stability

of carotenoids and fats, thereby slowing down their
oxidation process.

Without an proper antioxidant, loss of carotenoids is

very fast.

So to provide proper antioxidants to fish antioxidant

sources like blue-green algae meal (Spirulina) and algae
from ponds would be more efficiently utilize as fish
feed.
The following percentage can be considered as comprising a
good fish food.

Fish Protein FAT RAW

Group MIN MAX FIBER MAX
MIN
Carnivore Over 45% 3% 6% 2% 4%
Herbivore 15-30% 1% 3% 5% 10%
Limnivore 30-40 % 2% 5% 2% 6%
(mud
consumers)
Omnivore 35-42% 2% 5% 3% 8%

1% of fat (Feed with minimum level of lipid is good)

1% of Vitamin and minerals
 PORTOCOL FOR FEED PREPARATION
Feed Preparation:
I. Take kg of fish meal
II. kg of Wheat flour
III. 1% of Cod liver oil
IV. 1% multivitamins
V. Mixed properly
VI. Fish meal ( ) + Wheat flour ( )
VII.Add water (200-400 for 1 kg)
VIII.Boil or sterilized the mixed dough
IX. Cold down add oil and vitamins
X. By using pelletizer make pellet of (1-3mm) depending on
the mouth size of the fish
XI. Dry at 45degree in cold dark room
XII.Break the pellets into small pieces
XIII.Sieve the food to separate out between layers and small
food size.
Thank you