Total biomass calculator for aquaculture

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Calculator for “Total biomass calculator for aquaculture”

Accurately calculating total biomass is critical for optimizing aquaculture production and sustainability. This calculation estimates the total weight of aquatic organisms in a culture system, enabling better management decisions.

This article covers essential formulas, practical tables, and real-world examples to master total biomass calculations in aquaculture. Learn how to apply these techniques for efficient farm management and yield maximization.

  • ¡Hola! ¿En qué cálculo, conversión o pregunta puedo ayudarte?
Pensando ...

Example User Inputs for Total Biomass Calculator in Aquaculture

  • Number of fish: 10,000; Average weight per fish: 250 grams
  • Stock density: 20 kg/m³; Pond volume: 500 m³
  • Initial biomass: 1,000 kg; Growth rate: 2% per day; Days cultured: 30
  • Feed conversion ratio: 1.5; Total feed given: 2,000 kg

Comprehensive Tables of Common Values for Total Biomass Calculation in Aquaculture

SpeciesTypical Stocking Density (kg/m³)Average Harvest Weight (g)Growth Rate (% per day)Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)
Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)20 – 40300 – 5002.0 – 3.0%1.2 – 1.8
Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)15 – 253,000 – 5,0001.5 – 2.5%1.0 – 1.3
Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)80 – 12015 – 253.0 – 4.0%1.2 – 1.6
Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)10 – 30500 – 1,0001.8 – 2.5%1.5 – 2.0
Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)10 – 201,000 – 2,0002.0 – 3.0%1.3 – 1.7
ParameterTypical RangeUnitsDescription
Stocking Density10 – 120kg/m³Mass of organisms per unit volume of water
Average Individual Weight15 – 5,000gramsMean weight of a single cultured organism
Pond or Tank Volume1 – 10,000Total water volume available for culture
Growth Rate1.5 – 4.0% per dayDaily increase in biomass or weight
Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR)1.0 – 2.0unitlessFeed input required per unit biomass gain

Essential Formulas for Total Biomass Calculation in Aquaculture

Calculating total biomass in aquaculture involves several key formulas that integrate biological and environmental parameters. Below are the fundamental equations with detailed explanations.

1. Total Biomass (TB) Calculation

The total biomass is the aggregate weight of all cultured organisms in a system.

TB = N × Wavg
  • TB: Total biomass (kg)
  • N: Number of organisms (unitless)
  • Wavg: Average individual weight (kg)

Note: Average weight must be converted to kilograms if initially in grams (divide by 1000).

2. Biomass Based on Stocking Density and Volume

When stocking density and culture volume are known, total biomass can be calculated as:

TB = D × V
  • TB: Total biomass (kg)
  • D: Stocking density (kg/m³)
  • V: Volume of culture system (m³)

3. Biomass Growth Over Time

To estimate biomass after a certain culture period, considering exponential growth:

TBt = TB0 × (1 + r)t
  • TBt: Biomass at time t (kg)
  • TB0: Initial biomass (kg)
  • r: Daily growth rate (decimal, e.g., 0.02 for 2%)
  • t: Number of days cultured (days)

4. Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and Biomass Gain

FCR relates feed input to biomass gain, useful for estimating biomass from feed data:

Biomass Gain = Feed Given / FCR
  • Feed Given: Total feed input (kg)
  • FCR: Feed conversion ratio (unitless)

5. Average Weight from Biomass and Number of Organisms

To find average individual weight when total biomass and number of organisms are known:

Wavg = TB / N
  • Wavg: Average individual weight (kg)
  • TB: Total biomass (kg)
  • N: Number of organisms (unitless)

Detailed Real-World Examples of Total Biomass Calculation in Aquaculture

Example 1: Calculating Total Biomass in a Tilapia Pond

A tilapia farm stocks 15,000 fish with an average weight of 350 grams each. Calculate the total biomass in kilograms.

  • Given:
    • N = 15,000 fish
    • Wavg = 350 grams = 0.35 kg

Step 1: Use the formula TB = N × Wavg

Step 2: Calculate total biomass:

TB = 15,000 × 0.35 = 5,250 kg

Result: The total biomass of the tilapia pond is 5,250 kilograms.

Example 2: Estimating Biomass Growth Over 30 Days in a Shrimp Farm

A shrimp farm starts with an initial biomass of 800 kg. The daily growth rate is 3%. Calculate the biomass after 30 days.

  • Given:
    • TB0 = 800 kg
    • r = 3% = 0.03
    • t = 30 days

Step 1: Use the biomass growth formula:

TBt = TB0 × (1 + r)t

Step 2: Calculate (1 + r)t:

(1 + 0.03)30 ≈ 1.0330 ≈ 2.427

Step 3: Calculate biomass after 30 days:

TB30 = 800 × 2.427 ≈ 1,941.6 kg

Result: After 30 days, the shrimp biomass is approximately 1,942 kilograms.

Additional Technical Insights on Total Biomass Calculation

Accurate biomass estimation is foundational for aquaculture management, influencing feeding regimes, water quality control, and harvest scheduling. Variability in individual weights, mortality rates, and environmental factors can affect calculations, necessitating periodic sampling and adjustment.

  • Sampling Techniques: Regular sampling of representative organisms helps refine average weight estimates, reducing error in biomass calculations.
  • Mortality Adjustments: Biomass calculations should account for mortality by subtracting dead biomass or adjusting organism counts.
  • Water Quality Impact: High biomass densities can degrade water quality, so biomass calculations inform aeration and filtration requirements.
  • Growth Models: More complex models incorporate temperature, feed quality, and genetics to predict biomass growth more precisely.

Integrating sensor data and AI-driven analytics can further enhance biomass estimation accuracy, enabling real-time farm management and predictive insights.

Authoritative Resources and Standards for Aquaculture Biomass Calculation

Utilizing these standards ensures that biomass calculations align with global best practices, promoting efficient and responsible aquaculture production.