Disease represents significant financial loss in aquaculture (globally $6 billion annually) through mortality, reduced growth and treatment expenses. The use of feed containing functional additives can be an effective component of an integrated health management plan with improved survivability, leading to improved growth performance; and minimizing reliance on chemical therapeutants. By focusing on preventative methods to reduce disease, farmers can contribute towards overall sustainability and improve their profitability.
Vpak is a proprietary blend of essential oils and organic acids that has been shown to increase survivability under challenged and unchallenged conditions. In experiment 1, rainbow trout (O. mykiss) were fed Vpak as a low-level dietary inclusion (0.13%) for 30 days prior to challenge with Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHNV) and F. psychrophilum (Fp). Fish fed Vpak demonstrated significantly higher survival to Fp and IHNV - Fp coinfection, but not to IHNV infection. In experiment 2, largemouth bass (M. salmoides) were fed Vpak as a low dietary inclusion (0.13%) for 90 days under commercial RAS conditions. Fish fed Zeigler Diet A demonstrated significantly higher survival than fish fed alternative commercial diets.
These data support the theory that functional feed additives are a viable alternative to chemical therapeutants for improving survivability in commercially reared finfish. This practice affords farmers the opportunity for stabilized profits through dependable survivability, sustained growth rates and reduced dependency on therapeutant treatments.