Sturgeon (Acipenser spp.)

BioMar became involved in the development of feed for sturgeon farming very early and we have over the years built a close relationship with the entrepreneurial sturgeon farmers who have invested in and developed caviar production through sturgeon farming.

One of the major challenges in finding the optimal nutritional solution for sturgeons is the growth cycle stretching over years and another one is that it is the caviar, not the meat which is the principal final product. The feed must be adapted to these facts. As for all other BioMar feed products our offer for sturgeons is based on elaborate research programs as well as tests carried out in partnership with our customers with comparisons made between caviar from wild sturgeon and farmed sturgeon. Our sturgeon range in this way summarises more than 15 years of experience with developing nutritional solutions for sturgeon.

EFICO Sigma 840

EFICO Sigma 840 is an extruded feed with a medium energy level, but at the same time based on prime quality raw materials and rich in fish meal and fish oil. The EFICO Sigma 860 has been optimised according to the specific needs for Omega 3 fatty acids (especially EPA and DHA). The Digestible Protein : Digestible Energy ratio makes it possible to reach an important growth rate while at the same time limiting the risk of infiltration of fatty acids in the roe.

EFICO Sigma 841

This feed has been based on the same principles as the EFICO Sigma 840 and presents the same optimised levels in vitamins and minerals, but it contains more digestible energy. It permits thereby farmers with good farm management to accelerate growth during the initial life stages.

EFICO Sigma 844

In order to maximize the weight of caviar yield per kg of female and to cover the nutritional needs of the sturgeon in the best possible way, BioMar has developed a finishing feed: EFICO Sigma 844, available in 9 mm pellets. This feed type contains selected proteins of marine and vegetable origin that cover the amino acid needs of the sturgeon. These needs have been determined by analysing the body texture of the sturgeons, combined with BioMar’s measurements of feed retention and conversion. Supply of long chained polyunsaturated fatty acids is based on oil from wild anchovies that are rich in ω3, EPA and DHA.

During the finishing stage the intestine fat should not invade the ovaries. Reducing the lipid energy content allows to have a better control of this phenomenon. Compared to grower feeds the dose of vitamins and minerals added to EFICO Sigma 844 is two times higher and it contains five times more vitamin C.
EFICO Sigma 844 9 mm pellets can be given about two years before the expected time of harvest of the caviar. The feed does not contain raw materials of land animal origins and no GMO products (max. limit of 0.9% accidental cross-contamination).

EFICO Plus 805

EFICO Plus 805, enriched with vitamins, immune stimulants and nucleotides, is a feed that provides an improved resistance to the fish in stress periods. We recommend feeding with EFICO Plus 805 as a preventive treatment in two or three weeks before planned grading or transfers, or when weather conditions change rapidly (spring and summer).