Automatic control of rotifer density in larval first feeding tanks

Larvae of many marine fish species in aquaculture require live plankton as feed. Under the common feeding regimes the density of live feed shows significant variation throughout the day. This paper presents a model-based feed-forward and feedback control system for keeping feed density at a desired level or following a trajectory. Such a system allows more flexibility in experimental designs for research on feed intake patterns, and can reduce manual labor and increase stability of the feeding conditions in commercial hatcheries. The system has been tested in a first feeding experiment and shown to perform satisfactorily.