Marine fish like seabream or seabass usually leave the winter season in a very bad condition, a consequence either of extremely low temperatures (seabream), low intake or even sexual maturation. To resume feeding and growth and recover condition as fast as possible, it is necessary to give some nutritional support, especially because fish in bad condition are a nice target for opportunistic pathogens (bacteria or parasites). 

Aquasoja pays special attention to this challenging period. “A good practice would be to have a prophylactic approach, to avoid extreme therapeutic measures. But what would be the target? Recovering condition is critical, so good quality and palatable feeds are important, with a special focus on hepatic function in seabream. Is it enough? We don’t think so. Especially in small fish, more sensitive to parasite burden, a nutraceutical strategy is strongly recommended,” the company said.

It is scientifically proven that synergic blends of some vegetable essential oils together with prebiotics and organic acids will prevent ectoparasites to attach to branchial tissue and improve gut microbiota. The gut is an organ of critical importance in immune response as the largest tissue in contact with external media. Healthy intestinal mucosa with a predominance of “good” bacteria over pathogenic bacteria is ultimately a consequence of proper usage of nutraceuticals.

Given this, Aquasoja includes in its feeds functional solutions to better work on external and internal barriers like skin, gills and gut. “NEOGOLD pre-ongrowing feeds, until 2.4mm pellet, already contain as standard good protection against pathogens. Also does DORIN, the winter feed for seabream, and our transition 3-mm pellet feed for marine species. Beyond a 4-mm diameter pellet, Aquasoja displays ATIVIA, a 100% natural-based supplement that can be added to any grower conventional feed and used in a continuous or non-continuous protocol, according to the farm exact needs,” the company concluded.