Color and Vitality: How Phycocyanin and Spirulina Support Shrimp and Fish Pigmentation

In aquaculture, color is commercial value. The market price of ornamental fish, salmonids, and shrimp is closely tied to visible coloration, and feed is the primary lever producers use to influence it. Spirulina, rich in carotenoids and the blue pigment-protein phycocyanin, has become a well-established natural input in premium aquafeed.

Why spirulina is used in aquafeed

• Pigmentation: Spirulina supplies natural pigments that support vivid coloration in ornamental species and contribute to the desirable appearance of farmed shrimp and fish.
• Nutrition: With a high protein content (often cited around 60-70 percent by dry weight) and a favorable amino-acid profile, spirulina supports growth and feed efficiency.
• Resilience: Carotenoids and phycocyanin are studied for antioxidant and immune-supporting properties that may help animals cope with handling and environmental stress.

Formulation considerations

Inclusion rates in aquafeed are typically modest (often in the low single-digit percentage range) and depend on species, life stage, and the target outcome. Because pigments are heat- and light-sensitive, processing conditions and storage affect retained activity, so quality-consistent material matters more than headline numbers.

Planning ahead

Global aquaculture continues to expand as a share of total seafood supply, and demand for natural, traceable feed inputs is rising alongside it. For feed producers planning into 2027, securing consistent-grade material with full documentation is the practical way to protect both performance and label claims.

Forward-looking note: SPIRUVA is in a pre-launch phase, with commercial production scheduled for July 2027. The above reflects general aquafeed practice and published nutritional data, not product-specific claims.