May 25, 2007

Australian study scans fish brain to design the perfect feed

A PhD student from New York is in Australia to study barramundi behaviour so as to design a feed that would appeal to the fish and pose no threat environmentally.

PhD student Jeremy Ullmann, who has been studying farmed barramundi at University of Queensland's Moreton Bay Research Station, said his study would focus on how sensitive barramundi is so that fish feed could be tailor-made for the species.

Sensory systems, abilities and preferences would be assessed so as to increase feeding and create alternatives to fishmeal, Ullman said.

As world fishmeal production falls, scientists are looking for alternatives to fishmeal. Even soy, the best alternative, has drawn mixed reactions from aquaculture farmers.

Ullmann's study also involves magnetic resonance to analyse fish brains so as to assess their vision, taste and smell. He is working in partnership with Australian-owned Ridley Aqua Feed to run feed trials of new barramundi diets.

Ullmann said he hoped his research could cut feed costs by half.