Ace Aquatec, Hendrix Genetics partner on AI-driven fish growth and feeding optimisation

NETHERLANDS – Ace Aquatec and Hendrix Genetics have announced a collaboration to deploy A-BIOMASS® technology for individual fish monitoring, enabling more precise growth tracking, genetic selection, and feeding strategies in aquaculture.

The partnership will see Hendrix Genetics integrate Ace Aquatec’s imaging system to track fish weight and identify individual animals over time. 

The non-invasive technology allows producers to move beyond tank-level biomass estimates and analyse growth patterns at the individual-fish level.

This shift is expected to improve breeding decisions by identifying fish that perform better under specific environmental conditions. 

According to the companies, the data can help determine which fish grow faster in warmer temperatures and which perform better in colder conditions, enabling more targeted genetic supply to farms.

“Ace Aquatec’s camera has given us much more precise, individualised data collection of our fish’s growth, not just the biomass of the tank, how much feed we flow in, but in plotting the actual growth of the fish,” said Stephen Tapping, Breeding Program Manager at Hendrix Genetics. 

“This will ultimately benefit our customers by providing the best stock for their own farming practices.”

Beyond genetics, the system is also expected to enhance feed efficiency. 

By aligning feeding strategies with the growth stage and condition of individual fish, producers can reduce feed waste, one of the largest cost components in aquaculture, while improving water quality and overall farm performance.

Ace Aquatec said the collaboration demonstrates how biomass monitoring is evolving into a broader decision-support tool across aquaculture operations.

“Our work with Hendrix Genetics has proven the application of biomass technology outside of simply monitoring the biomass of the tank,” said Nathan Pyne-Carter, CEO of Ace Aquatec. 

“This project has shown us how data can influence everything from feed strategy to optimising fish stock for the conditions they are to be farmed, as well as early disease detection.”

The use of AI-driven monitoring systems is gaining traction across the aquaculture sector as producers seek to improve productivity while addressing sustainability pressures. 

Feed accounts for a significant share of production costs and environmental impact, making precision feeding technologies increasingly important.

“The future of aquaculture is increasingly data driven,” Pyne-Carter added. 

“By working with partners like Hendrix Genetics, we are building a detailed picture to inform how fish production will look in the coming decades.”

The collaboration reflects a broader industry shift towards digitalisation and precision aquaculture, where data analytics, genetics, and feeding strategies are increasingly integrated to optimise performance and resource use.

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