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Freshwater Cage Technology

Tilapia cultured with soy feeds in China
Tilapia cultured with soy feeds in China.
  • Tilapia cultured with soy feeds in China
  • Tilapia cultured with soy feeds in LVHD cages in China
  • Common carp cultured in cages in Indonesia with a soy-based feed
  • Tilapia cultured in traditional cages in a lake in Latin America
  • Soy-based feed being fed to tilapia in cages in Egypt
  • Tilapia being cultured in cages with soy feeds in a marine bay

Some freshwater fish species are adaptable to culture in cages in freshwater lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and canals.

The three species of freshwater fish most typically cultured in cages are common carp, tilapia and channel catfish.

A variety of cage sizes and styles are used to culture freshwater fish.

The ASA-IM program uses low-volume high-density (LVHD) cage technology to demonstrate the production of fish in cages with soy-based feeds. LVHD cage fish culture is defined as the raising of fish at densities of 400-500 fish per cubic meter (m3) in cages of size 1-m3 to 4-m3, with optimum yields of 150-250 kg/m3. ASA-IM uses the LVHD cage technology because it is inexpensive to demonstrate production techniques and feeds in, and provides significantly higher productivity per unit of cage volume than larger cages. The high productivity rate in LVHD cages is due to the rate of water exchange that allows for a well-oxygenated culture environment.

In comparison, larger traditional cages generally yield only 20-25 kg/m3.