Why Shrimp Feed Pelleting Requires Ultra-Fine Grinding: Particle Size Explained

Shrimp do not process feed in the same way as finfish, and their digestive anatomy makes feed particle structure particularly relevant. The digestive tract of penaeid shrimp includes a gastric mill that mechanically breaks down food, followed by structures that separate finer particles for further digestion. For commercial producers, this makes ingredient grinding an important consideration before pelleting. A shrimp feed formulation may contain nutritionally valuable ingredients, but the way those materials are reduced and distributed can influence processing behavior and the physical characteristics of the final pellet. At FAMSUN, we approach shrimp feed production by considering raw materials, physiological requirements, processing conditions, and finished-feed control together.

Shrimp Digestive Anatomy and Particle Processing

Penaeid shrimp have a specialized foregut rather than a simple passage from mouth to intestine. After ingestion, food enters the proventriculus, whose posterior section contains the gastric mill. This structure uses internal ossicles and muscular action to mechanically process food. A filter-press structure then allows very fine material to move toward the digestive gland, while larger particles continue through the digestive tract.

That anatomy explains why particle structure deserves attention during feed formulation. The shrimp's digestive system is adapted to handle particles progressively, so feed preparation should provide a suitable physical structure rather than simply maximizing hardness. Feed texture, size, water stability, and palatability also affect ingestion, with FAO materials noting that dietary structure and feeding behavior are important considerations for prawns.

For this reason, shrimp feed manufacturing process design should begin before the material reaches the pellet mill. Grinding, dosing, mixing, conditioning, pelleting, cooling, and screening all contribute to the characteristics eventually presented to the animal.

Why Ultra-Fine Grinding Matters

Ultra-fine grinding can create a more uniform particle distribution and reduce the presence of oversized particles in the formulation. This becomes particularly useful when very small shrimp feed formats are required. FAO training material, for example, lists feed particle sizes from approximately 15 μm for certain early larval stages to 90–150 μm for later larval stages, demonstrating how particle requirements can change substantially with development.

The frequently discussed 100–150 μm range should not be interpreted as a universal specification for every shrimp diet. Published research has tested different particle ranges in shrimp diets, including 100–150 μm, 74–100 μm, and below 74 μm, with outcomes depending on the particular ingredient and dietary application. Consequently, grinding targets need to be established according to shrimp size, feed type, formulation, and production objective.

At FAMSUN, we consider fine grinding as part of the broader processing route rather than an isolated specification. The purpose is to create a suitable raw-material structure that can support subsequent mixing and pelleting while remaining compatible with the requirements of the finished diet.

From Fine Particles to Stable Pellets

Reducing particle size is only one part of the equation. A formulation containing finely ground ingredients still needs accurate dosing and homogeneous mixing before conditioning and pellet formation. Moisture, heat, ingredient composition, compression, and die characteristics can subsequently influence pellet density, durability, and water stability.

Shrimp feed often requires strong physical integrity because the animal's feeding behavior and the aquatic environment place different demands on the pellet than terrestrial feed production. FAO guidance notes that feeding behavior influences the required water stability of prawn diets. A formulation therefore needs to balance fine particle preparation with a finished structure that remains suitable during feeding.

Research on shrimp feed processing also illustrates this interaction. One published study used grinding to below 200 μm before producing experimental shrimp diets, while another reported pelleted diets produced after grinding ingredients to at least 80 mesh. These examples show that practical grinding specifications vary according to formulation and processing route rather than following one fixed number.

A well-designed shrimp feed line should consequently connect grinding targets with the desired pellet dimensions and physical properties. Finer material may support a more homogeneous feed matrix, but the final decision belongs to the complete formulation and process design.

Building a Practical Grinding Strategy

Particle-size control becomes especially important when a facility produces several shrimp feed grades. Larval diets, nursery feeds, and grow-out products can require substantially different physical formats. FAO references describe powder, flakes, crumbles, and pellets across different shrimp growth stages, with pellet diameters increasing as the animals become larger.

Quality control should therefore examine the particle-size distribution rather than relying only on an average value. A batch may have a nominal target while still containing an excessive proportion of coarse particles. Screening, sampling, and adjustment of grinding conditions can help production teams understand whether the material actually matches the intended specification.

Our approach at FAMSUN focuses on fitting processing technology to the physiological and nutritional requirements of shrimp while considering raw materials and finished-feed control. That perspective is particularly useful when developing a shrimp feed manufacturing process for multiple product sizes, since grinding requirements can change together with formulation and animal growth stage.

Conclusion

Ultra-fine grinding has a clear technical rationale in shrimp feed production, but there is no single particle size that should automatically be applied to every diet. Shrimp possess a specialized digestive system capable of mechanically processing food and directing finer material toward digestive structures. Feed particle requirements also vary considerably with developmental stage, as documented in aquaculture feeding references.

For FAMSUN, the practical question is not simply how fine the raw material can be ground. We consider whether the selected particle distribution fits the formulation, supports subsequent pelleting, and produces the physical characteristics required by the target shrimp.

A technically sound shrimp feed manufacturing process therefore connects particle-size control with mixing, conditioning, pellet formation, cooling, and finished-feed evaluation. The 100–150 μm range can be relevant to particular applications, but it should be treated as a reference point rather than a universal rule. Matching the grinding strategy to shrimp size, feed format, formulation, and feeding conditions provides a more useful basis for developing consistent aquafeed.