In a newly published review article, researchers spotlight the role of krill meal and krill oil in improving feed intake, growth performance, and overall health for non-salmonids. The article reveals that krill meal drives up to 30% faster growth and 17% better feed efficiency in species including sea bream, seabass, and tilapia—even in low fishmeal diets.
A new review article, authored by researchers Kiranpreet Kaur from Aker ǪRILL Company and Dr. Silvia Torrecillas from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria with support from the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), explores the impact of krill-based ingredients on a range of non- salmonid aquaculture species, including sea bream, seabass, tilapia, and olive flounder. As aquaculture continues to diversify beyond salmon, this review evaluates how krill meal and krill oil can support fish health and growth even in low fishmeal and fish oil diets.
With growing demand for sustainable seafood and press mounting on wild fish stocks, the aquaculture industry is increasingly seeking efficient and effective feed ingredients that balance performance, cost, and sustainability. Krill has emerged as one such tool.
“Krill meal offers a unique combination of highly digestible protein, phospholipid-bound omega-3s, and functional compounds like astaxanthin and chitin,” explains Dr. Silvia Torrecillas, co-author of the review. “This makes it particularly valuable in diets for marine fish that are sensitive to changes in the feed formulation.”
ENHANCING FEED INTAKE, GROWTH, AND FEED CONVERSION
The review highlights strong evidence from multiple species showing that krill supplementation consistently improves feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). In some studies, juvenile fish fed krill meal grew up to 30% faster, with FCR improvements of up to 17% compared to control groups. This effect is largely attributed to krill’s palatability and nutrient bioavailability – even at low inclusion levels.
“Across many aquaculture species, we see improvements in not just growth but also in protein and lipid efficiency ratios, with is critical for feed optimization,” expresses Kiranpreet Kaur, Director RCD Aquaculture at Aker ǪRILL Company and co-author of the review.
FUNCTIONAL BENEFITS FOR GUT HEALTH AND RESILIENCE
In addition to performance, krill meal supports gut integrity and liver health, especially under stress or when diets are low in fishmeal or fish oil. The review points to improved gut morphology, reduced hepatic fat accumulation, and stronger mucosal protection, all linked to krill’s phospholipids, omega-3s, and choline content. Several studies also show improved immune responses and stress resilience, including higher survival rates under crowding or pathogen exposure.
“Krill-based diets are shown to help fish better tolerate stressful environments and support a stronger immune system. This is a major benefit in commercial production settings,” adds Kaur.
MAINTAINING FILLET QUALITY AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE
Fillet composition and nutritional value are naturally important factors for consumers. The review found that krill inclusion helps maintain EPA and DHA levels in fillets ensuring the end product remains a rich source of omega-3s. In broodstock diets, krill also supports better egg quality, hatchability, and larval viability across species such as red sea bream, Nile tilapia, and tongue sole.
Aker ǪRILL Company
A SMALL INGREDIENT WITH A BIG IMPACT
As aquaculture continues to grow and diversify, the review concludes that krill meal and krill oil can play a key role in enabling more sustainable, resilient feed formulations for different fish species.
The article, titled “Review: Impact of krill products on the growth, health, and fillet quality of farmed non-salmonid fish”, was authored by Kiranpreet Kaur and Silvia Torrecillas and is available in Aquaculture, volume 608, 30 September 2025: Impact of krill products on the growth, health, and fillet quality of farmed non-salmonid fish – ScienceDirect
