The review highlights strong evidence from multiple species showing that krill supplementation consistently improves feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR). In some studies, juvenile fish fed krill meal grew up to 30% faster, with FCR improvements of up to 17% compared to control groups. This effect is largely attributed to krill’s palatability and nutrient bioavailability – even at low inclusion levels.
“In species like European seabass and Nile tilapia, we see improvements in not just growth but also in protein and lipid efficiency ratios, with is critical for feed optimization,” says Kiranpreet Kaur, Director R&D Aquaculture at Aker QRILL Company and co-author of the review.
In addition to performance, krill meal supports gut integrity and liver health, especially under stress or when diets are low in fishmeal or fish oil. The review points to improved gut morphology, reduced hepatic fat accumulation, and stronger mucosal protection, all linked to krill’s phospholipids, omega-3s, and choline content. Several studies also show improved immune responses and stress resilience, including higher survival rates under crowding or pathogen exposure.
“Krill-based diets are shown to help fish better tolerate stressful environments and support a stronger innate immune system. This is a major benefit in commercial production settings,” adds Kaur.
Fillet composition and nutritional value are naturally important factors for consumers. The review found that krill inclusion helps maintain EPA and DHA levels in fillets, even in low fishmeal or fish oil diets, ensuring the end product remains a rich source of omega-3s. In broodstock diets, krill also supports better egg quality, hatchability, and larval viability across species such as red sea bream, tilapia, and tongue sole.
As aquaculture continues to grow and diversify, the review concludes that krill meal and krill oil can play a key role in enabling more sustainable, resilient feed formulations for non-salmonid species.
The article, titled “Review: Impact of krill products on the growth, health, and fillet quality of farmed non-salmonid fish”, was authored by Kiranpreet Kaur and Silvia Torrecillas and is available upon request.