Bionetix® biological treatments improve fish growth, water quality in Brazil aquaculture trials

BRAZIL – Canadian biotech producer, Bionetix Technologies, says long-term aquaculture trials in Brazil showed its biological treatment programme improved fish growth, water quality and survival rates while reducing sludge build-up and water replacement needs.

The eight-year trials, conducted with Ennesul Tecnologia in Mato Grosso and Santa Catarina, evaluated biological solutions designed to improve pond management and production efficiency in commercial fish farming systems.

According to the company, the programme supported healthier fish growth, improved feed conversion, and more stable water conditions, while reducing dependence on chemical treatments and the need for frequent pond maintenance.

“These results demonstrate that a well-designed biological program can significantly improve fish productivity and water stability, while reducing dependency on water exchange and chemical interventions,” said David S. Llano, Product Manager at Bionetix.

The first trial, launched in Mato Grosso in 2017, reported consistent fish weight gain, significant reductions in sludge and odour, and an extension of pond water life from 6 months to up to 3 years before full replacement was required.

Additional field observations from other Brazilian operations included increased fish stocking density without adding tanks, earlier harvests, and improved fish survival during low-oxygen events and power outages.

One trial reported sludge accumulation of only 5 cm compared with an expected 70 cm under conventional conditions, highlighting the role of biological treatment in managing organic waste.

Feed additives and oxygen management

The programme combined three products: AQUA-FEED™, a probiotic feed additive; BCP54 ™, a microbial blend designed to degrade organic matter and improve water clarity; and AEROBOOSTER-O2, a slow-release oxygen technology aimed at stabilising dissolved oxygen during critical periods.

Bionetix said the biological approach can help reduce reliance on antibiotics when used in conjunction with proper farm management systems, aligning with industry efforts to improve sustainability and operational efficiency.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, aquaculture production has recently surpassed capture fisheries as a source of aquatic food, and demand has continued to outpace population growth over the past six decades.

The Asia-Pacific region remains the dominant production hub, while South American exporters such as Ecuador and Chile continue to expand their market share.

As producers face rising feed, water and environmental management costs, biological treatment systems are attracting interest as tools to improve productivity while reducing environmental pressure.

For the aquafeed sector, the trials highlight growing integration between feed efficiency, water quality management and microbial technologies in intensive aquaculture production systems.

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