Aquaculture Technologies

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Aquaculture technologies

Aquaculture technologies are tools and techniques designed to help farmers produce more fish and shellfish, ensuring they are healthy and safe to eat.

Techniques include methods for breeding and caring for baby fish (i.e. larviculture) and preventing of monogenean parasites commonly found in cultured fish.

Tools include specialised systems for water and disease management, as well as systems for cultivating rotifers.

SFA, in partnership with industry and academia, conducts R&D on various aquaculture technologies suitable for local farms. There are two main types of aquaculture farms in Singapore.

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Sea-based aquaculture farms

Examples of sea-based farms include coastal net cage farms and close-containment floating farms located in the Johor Straits, as well as open deep-sea net cage farms in our southern waters.

Technologies such as auto-feeders and Internet-of-Things (IoT) are utilised in modern net cage farms, while close-containment farms deploy Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS).

Land-based aquaculture farms

Culture methods in land-based farms range from open pond culture and tank-based systems to, more recently, indoor multi-tier systems. Most of them are located in Lim Chu Kang and Murai.

Tank-based or multi-tier farms utilise technologies such as IoT, water-monitoring systems, and RAS which enable them to maximise productivity in a smaller footprint.

Resources on aquaculture technologies

Aquaculture farms in Singapore can use the resources below to improve their yields and increase resource efficiency in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

	Preparing Fish Farms for El Niño A practical guide to help fish farms prepare for and manage the heat stress brought on by El Niño. Preparing Fish Farms for El Niño (English)
	Application of Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) technology in hatchery production Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) are closed-loop systems where water is re-circulated and water quality is maintained with technology (e.g. filters, biofiltration, treatment). Fish are healthy and thrive when the water quality is good and consistently maintained. Download the PDF below to learn about the benefits of RAS compared to older methods, and how you can set up RAS for hatchery production. Application of RAS technology in hatchery production
	Rotifer culture technology for hatchery production Rotifers are tiny organisms that serve as food for baby fish. To feed baby fish, farmers culture or grow rotifers. Download the PDF to learn how to set up a rotifer culture system and management protocols for the stable and efficient production of healthy rotifers, including how to develop an intensive recirculating aquaculture system and use AI-powered software to assess and analyse rotifer culture health. Rotifer culture technology for hatchery production
	Development of hatchery technology for red snapper Fingerlings (toddler fish) that are raised in outdoor ponds are subject to weather conditions, which make it harder for them to survive. Additionally, the outdoor ponds also take up considerable space. SFA partnered with the industry and the academia to conduct R&D to explore raising red snapper fingerlings on a commercial-scale in indoor hatcheries. Download the PDF to learn how you can overcome key challenges associated with indoor culture such as shock syndrome experienced by fingerlings when there are sudden changes in lighting and water temperature. Development of hatchery technology for red snapper
	Application of endocrine techniques in fish spawning Fish spawning is the process where the adult fish release eggs and sperm into the water. The fertilised eggs eventually develop into baby fish. Spawning is seasonal. SFA explored the use of endocrine techniques to spawn (breed) fish in farm environments year-round. Download the PDF to learn more about the factors that led to successful fish spawning, and to get tips on inducing spawning for different types of fishes. Application of endocrine techniques in fish spawning
	Breeding of aquaculture species – Jade Perch Jade perch is a freshwater finfish with high omega-3 content, high nutritional value, and good taste. Usually, the fry (young fish) are imported, grown here, and then sold on maturity. Download the PDF to learn more about the use of endocrine techniques to spawn (breed) jade perch and larviculture techniques to care for baby perches in farm environments. The findings of salinity tolerance trials to understand the impact of salt content on the growth of jade perches can also be found in the PDF. Breeding of aquaculture species – Jade Perch
	Prevention and control of monogenean parasites in fish The monogenean parasite is one of the common parasites faced by local farmers. This parasite affects the health and the survival rate of fish. Download the PDF to learn how to identify fish that have been affected by monogenean (i.e. the clinical signs), the types of monogenean, and the treatment methods. Prevention and control of monogenean parasites in fish (English) 鱼类中的单殖寄生虫 (中文)