Krill Meal in Fish Food
Highly digestible marine protein rich in omega-3 fatty acids and natural astaxanthin.
Found in 10 foods in the AquaIndex database.
What Is Krill Meal?
Krill meal is produced from small Antarctic crustaceans known as krill. After harvesting, krill are processed and dried into a concentrated protein-rich meal.
Unlike many standard fish meals, krill meal contains naturally occurring astaxanthin, a carotenoid responsible for red pigmentation in fish and crustaceans. It is also rich in marine-derived omega-3 fatty acids.
Because krill are lower on the marine food chain, they are often considered a cleaner marine protein source compared to larger predatory fish.
Why Is It Used in Fish Food?
- • - High-quality marine protein source
- • - Enhances palatability
- • - Natural colour enhancement (astaxanthin)
- • - Source of omega-3 fatty acids
Nutritional & Functional Role
Krill meal typically contains 55–65% protein. It offers high digestibility and contains phospholipid-bound omega-3s, which may improve absorption compared to some fish oils.
Is Krill Meal Good or Bad?
Generally considered beneficial when used in balanced formulations.
Most relevant for carnivorous and omnivorous feeding profiles.
Benefits
- • - Highly digestible
- • - Supports colour development
- • - Strong feeding response
Risks and concerns
- • - Expensive ingredient
- • - Sustainability concerns in some fisheries
- • - Overuse unnecessary in herbivorous diets
Best Fish Foods Containing Krill Meal
Highest scoring: Hikari Micro Pellets (100)
| Food | Score | Nutrition | Ingredients | Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hikari Micro Pellets | 100Elite | 40 | 40 | 20 |
| Hikari Micro Wafers | 100Elite | 40 | 40 | 20 |
| FishScience Micro Granules | 94Very good | 40 | 34 | 20 |
| FishScience Tropical Flakes | 90Good | 40 | 34 | 20 |
| FishScience Tropical Granules | 90Good | 40 | 34 | 20 |
| Hikari Vibra Bites | 90Good | 40 | 36 | 20 |
| NT Labs Probiotic Granules | 89Good | 37 | 34 | 18 |
| Pet Friend Sinking Carnivore Pellets | 89Good | 34 | 37 | 18 |
| Hikari First Bites | 80Okay | 26 | 40 | 14 |
| NT Labs Algae Wafers | 80Okay | 36 | 34 | 20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Krill Meal good for fish?
Generally considered beneficial when used in balanced formulations. Highly digestible marine protein rich in omega-3 fatty acids and natural astaxanthin.
Why is Krill Meal included in fish food?
- High-quality marine protein source. - Enhances palatability
Is Krill Meal natural?
Naturalness depends on source material and processing method. Highly digestible marine protein rich in omega-3 fatty acids and natural astaxanthin.
Is Krill Meal better than fish meal?
Krill Meal can perform well in specific formulas, but suitability depends on species, digestibility, and inclusion rate. Fish meal remains a common benchmark protein source.