Breakthrough | Summary of 25 Fishmeal Replacement Solutions for Aquafeed

Product R&D Department Chengdu Mytech Biotech Co., Ltd.  28, February, 2026

Author | Li Ya

Editor | Wang Lu

Translator | Deng Yikang

Early 2026 has seen fishmeal prices go through the roof—that means a sharp jump in aquafeed costs and even bigger risks to feed quality! So how are aquafeed companies that rely a lot on fishmeal gonna break through this mess?

Well, Mytech’s covered with SP900-H —an enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein made just for aquatic animals. It’s packed with tons of small-molecule active peptides, helps boost the health of aquatic animals’ liver and intestines, and makes feed protein way more efficient to use! Plus, we have 8 fishmeal replacement solutions co-developed with research institutions + another 17 fishmeal replacement solutions co-R&D with aquafeed companies side by side. All of this is here to help cut costs, improve quality, and finally crack the fishmeal replacement difficulty once and for all!

Systematically develop 8 fishmeal replacement solutions

in collaboration with scientific research institutions.

【Warm Reminder】Due to limited space, this brief research report doesn’t include details like feed nutrition background and experimental design. If you want the full solutions and actual application effects, you can check the references or get in touch with Mytech!

【Bass】 

■ Application Solution: Replace an equal protein content fishmeal with 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein. 

■ Application Effects: Boosted overall production performance — 20.1% jump in weight gain rate, 9% faster growth, and an 11.4% drop in FCR

■ Mechanism of Action: It fuels better intestinal development and nutrient digestion & absorption: lifts the relative intestine length, increases the height, width of the plica and increased thickness of the muscular layer, and ramps up digestive enzyme activity. It strengthens the intestinal tight junction structure, plus antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities; keeps the liver’s tissue structure healthy and normal, and promotes protein deposition. It ramps up the liver’s antioxidant capacity: eases liver pallor, blunted edges and oxidative damage caused by excessive oxytetracycline, bringing the liver back to the same healthy state as the control group

Joint R&D by Chengdu Mytech & Sichuan Agricultural University (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafr.2025.102152)

■ Application Solution: Reduce fishmeal by 10 percentage points and supplement with plant protein in largemouth bass feed; replace an equal protein content cottonseed protein with 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein, cutting the feed formulation cost by 700 CNY per ton.

■ Application Effects: Maintain growth performance – the weight gain rate was on par with the control group, and 10.2% higher than that of the negative control group with low fishmeal.

■ Mechanism of Action: Promotes intestinal development and nutrient digestion & absorption (elevated relative intestine length and viscerosomatic Index); Enhances intestinal anti-inflammatory capacity (alleviates intestinal inflammatory responses induced by dextran sulfate sodium, outperforming both the control group and the negative control group with low fishmeal).

Joint R&D by Chengdu Mytech & Sichuan Agricultural University (Article under publication)

【Yellow Catfish】

■ Application Solution: A basal feed formulation containing 23% fishmeal, then replace an equal protein content fishmeal with 3% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein.

■ Application Effects: Improved production performance – a 19.8% increase in weight gain rate and a 9.3% reduction in FCR.

■ Mechanism of Action: Enhances intestinal development (significant increases in relative intestine length, viscerosomatic Index, the height, width of the plica, as well as thickness of the muscular layer); Boosts digestive and absorptive capacity (elevated protease and lipase activities, and improved apparent crude protein digestibility); Strengthens intestinal anti-inflammatory capacity (enteritis induced by dextran sulfate sodium, the enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein group saw a 4.4% higher survival rate, an 80.2% lower incidence of enteritis, more intact intestinal structure, a 20-29% reduction in oxidative damage, and a 28-48% increase in antioxidant capacity); Improves stress resistance (a 27% higher survival rate under 9 hours of high ammonia-nitrogen stress).

Joint R&D by Chengdu Mytech & Sichuan Agricultural University（https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aninu.2025.03.022；https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-025-01248-z）

【Grouper】 

■ Application Solution: Replace an equal protein content fishmeal with 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein

■ Application Effects: Enhanced production performance – 10.4% higher weight gain rate, 4.7% faster growth rate, and a 9.1% reduction in FCR

■ Mechanism of Action: Improves digestive and absorptive capacity (enhances the activities of amylase, lipase, trypsin and pepsin); promotes protein synthesis and deposition (boosts the gene signaling expression of IGF-1 and m-TOR); strengthens antioxidant capacity (significantly reduces MDA content and increases CAT and SOD levels).

Joint R&D by Chengdu Mytech & Guangdong Ocean University（https://doi.org/10.1111/anu.13134）

【Channel Catfish】

■ Application Solution: Replace 3% fishmeal with 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein on an equal protein content basis

■ Application Effects: Comparable growth performance; promotes intestinal growth and development (increases the height of the plica and thickness of the muscular layer)

Joint R&D by Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangdong XX Group & Chengdu Mytech（https://link.cnki.net/urlid/21.1169.S.20230815.1248.010）

【Basa Fish】

■ Application Solution: Replace an equal protein content fishmeal with 0.8% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein

■ Application Effects: Maintains favorable production performance (3.4% reduction in FCR); lowers feed cost per kilogram of fish (cost decreased by 0.07 CNY)

Joint R&D by Chengdu Mytech & Vietnam National University of Agriculture and Forestry

【Pacific White Shrimp】 

■ Application Solution: Replace an equal protein content fishmeal with 3% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein

■ Application Effects: Enhanced production performance – 18.6% higher weight gain rate, 5.2% faster growth rate, 19% lower FCR, and 9.4% increased condition factor

■ Mechanism of Action: Promotes protein deposition and strengthens stress resistance (the survival rate increased by 25% and 14.3% respectively after exposure to low pH stress for 1 hour and 1.5 hours).

Joint R&D by Chengdu Mytech & Guangdong Ocean University

【Soft‑shelled Turtle】

■ Application Solution: Replace an equal protein content fishmeal with 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein

■ Application Effects: Enhanced production performance – 10.6% higher weight gain rate, 4.1% faster growth rate, and 12.5% lower FCR

■ Mechanism of Action: Promotes intestinal growth and development (increases villus height and width, and muscle layer thickness); improves digestive capacity (significantly enhances protease and lipase activities); boosts intestinal immunity (increases anti-inflammatory factors and decreases the expression of pro-inflammatory factors) and non-specific immunity (significantly enhances the expression of serum total protein and serum globulin)

Joint R&D by Huzhou  Normal University, Zhejiang XXX Company & Chengdu Mytech（https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6628805）

17 Co-developed Fishmeal Replacement Solutions

in collaboration with aquaculture enterprises

【Largemouth Bass】

■ 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces imported fishmeal on an equal basis:

In 2023, a trial was conducted on 50g largemouth bass in outdoor net cages in Guangdong. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was more favorable, with better survival rate, viscerosomatic index and fish health.

■ 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces premium fishmeal on an equal basis:

In 2024, a trial was conducted on 150g largemouth bass in indoor aquarium barrel in Guangdong. The weight gain rate and FCR were equivalent, the survival rate increased by 3%, and the time to death under high ammonia‑nitrogen and low pH stress was delayed.

■ 3% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces Japanese-grade fishmeal on an equal basis:

In 2024, a trial was conducted on 150g largemouth bass in pond net cages in Sichuan. The weight gain rate was equivalent, and the mortality rate under high ammonia‑nitrogen stress was comparable even under severe Lernaea (anchor worm) infestation.

【Snakehead Fish】

■ 5 % enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces imported fishmeal on an equal basis.:

In 2023, a trial was conducted on 95g snakehead fish in indoor aquaculture barrels in Guangdong. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) and survival rate were equivalent, with high repeatability among 4 duplicates.

【Yellow Catfish】

■ 3% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces premium fishmeal and premium chicken meal on an equal basis:

In 2025, a trial was carried out in pond net cages in Guangdong. Production performance was equivalent, and formulation cost was reduced.

【Sturgeon】

■ 2% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces imported fishmeal on an equal basis:

In 2022, a trial was conducted on 100g sturgeon in outdoor square concrete tanks in Sichuan. Growth performance was equivalent, intestinal development and health were improved, and enteritis rate was reduced.

■ On the basis of 5% chicken meal replacing 5% fishmeal, 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replacing Peruvian fishmeal on an equal content basis:

In 2024, a trial was conducted on 195g sturgeon in outdoor circular elevated pond in Guizhou. Growth performance was equivalent; liver health was improved (liver hemorrhage reduced by 30%), intestinal health was improved (enteritis reduced by 66%), and stress resistance was enhanced (reduce abdominal stress response by 8–24%).

【Pacific White Shrimp】

■ 2% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces winter-stored fish meal on an equal basis: 

In 2022, a trial was conducted on 1g shrimp in indoor elongated concrete tank in Shandong. Survival rate increased by 6%, FCR decreased by 3%, transport loss was below 2%, and feed cost per half kg of shrimp reduced by 0.3 CNY.

■ 3% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces premium fishmeal on an equal basis:

In 2024, a trial was carried out on 2–3g shrimp at an outdoor breeding farm in Fujian. All harvest results were positive. A cost-reduction comprehensive program using enzymatically hydrolyzed protein was applied in the second round, also with fully positive harvest results.

■ 5% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces an equal protein content Peruvian super steam fishmeal:

In 2024, a trial was conducted on 1.5g shrimp in indoor aquarium tanks in Guangdong. Weight gain rate increased, with equivalent FCR.

■ 3% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces an equal protein content fishmeal:

In 2024, a trial was carried out on 0.6g shrimp in outdoor net cages in Vietnam. Growth performance was equivalent.

■ 3% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replacing premium fishmeal on an equal basis:

In 2024, a trial was conducted on juvenile shrimp in indoor square concrete tanks. Growth gain rate and FCR were equivalent, and formulation cost reduced by 150 CNY/ton.

【Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)】

■ 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces imported fishmeal on an equal basis:

In 2023, a trial was conducted on 1.8g prawns in indoor recirculating aquaculture barrels in Hubei. Feed efficiency was better, and feed cost reduced by 300 CNY/ton.

【Soft-shelled Turtle】

■ 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replacing white fishmeal (2%, 4%, 6%) on an equal content basis:

In 2023, 30g soft-shelled turtles were fed extruded feed in indoor industrialized aquaculture systems in Hubei. Growth performance was equivalent, with high repeatability among 3 duplicates.

■ 10% reduction in fishmeal and supplementation with plant protein. Replacement of fishmeal by 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein, with supplementation of fish scrap meal:

In 2024, a trial was conducted on 40g soft-shelled turtles in greenhouse aquaculture in Zhejiang. Growth performance was equivalent to the control group and superior to the low-fishmeal negative control group.

■ 4% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replacing white fishmeal (2%, 4%, 8%, 16%) on an equal content basis:

In 2025, a trial was carried out on 50g soft-shelled turtles at an outdoor soft-shelled pilot base in Hunan. Weight gain rate and FCR were improved.

【Common Carp】

■ 2% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein replaces fishmeal on an equal basis:

In 2023, a trial was conducted on 200g common carp in outdoor pond net cages in Northeast China. Weight gain rate and FCR were better.

【Tilapia】

■ Complete replacement of fish meal with 2% enzymatically hydrolyzed functional protein:

In 2025, a trial was carried out on 70g tilapia in outdoor pond net cages in the Philippines. Weight gain rate and FCR were equivalent, and feed cost was reduced.

Through co-operative research with 5 scientific research institutes and joint R&D with 15 aquafeed enterprises, Mytech has accumulated 25 fishmeal replacement cases and developed mature and stable "Fishmeal Replacement Solutions". We look forward to joining hands with aquafeed enterprises in 2026 to break through the challenges of fishmeal replacement!

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