Feed What Fish Were Born to Eat
Crab-based protein ingredients that mirror the natural diet of farmed species
— with proven results from feeding trials.
At Decameal, we process European green crab (Carcinus maenas) into two complementary aquafeed ingredients: our Crab Meal and our Crab Concentrate. Both are produced sustainably from crabs harvested along the Danish coastline, transforming an overpopulated pest into high-value protein ingredients.
Documented Performance in Rainbow Trout
Digestibility trials evaluated our crab protein concentrate in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) diets. Over a 78-day trial period, fish fed the test diet showed significantly higher feed intake compared to the fishmeal-based control, indicating strong palatability of crab-derived ingredients.
The trial confirmed that our crab protein concentrate performs comparably to conventional protein sources in trout feeds, while offering a distinct marine amino acid profile and the added functional benefits unique to crustacean-derived ingredients.
A Natural Fit for Benthic Species — Including Farmed Cod
Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) is a classic benthic predator that naturally feeds on a broad range of seafloor-dwelling organisms. Stomach content studies confirm that crustaceans constitute a major and consistent part of cod’s diet across all life stages: juvenile cod rely on crustaceans, including amphipods, isopods and small crabs, for up to 80% of their diet by prey count, while adult cod continue to encounter crustaceans regularly as they forage along the seabed.
A 2025 study investigated the short-term effects of incorporating crab and shrimp shell meals into commercial Atlantic cod diets. The researchers concluded that crustacean shell meals align with the natural dietary profile of Atlantic cod and can help address nutritional gaps arising from plant-based feed formulations. Cod fed a diet with 15% crab shell meal showed improved amino acid digestibility compared to control groups.
The Role of Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is the dominant pigment carotenoid in aquaculture, responsible for the characteristic pink-red flesh colour of wild salmon and trout. Farmed salmonids cannot synthesise astaxanthin on their own and must obtain it entirely from their diet. The pigment represents an estimated 15–25% of the total production cost of commercial salmon feed.
Today, over 95% of the astaxanthin used in aquaculture is produced synthetically from petrochemical precursors. Natural astaxanthin — the form found in our products — supports superior antioxidant activity and better tissue retention compared to synthetic mixtures. It is not approved for direct human consumption in the EU.
Our crab meal and crab concentrate deliver astaxanthin within a whole-ingredient matrix alongside protein, calcium and chitin. For producers in markets where natural provenance carries a premium, or where “no added synthetic pigments” is a label claim worth making, crab-derived ingredients offer a credible, stable and traceable natural alternative.
Chitin as a Functional Component
Our crab meal contains a fraction of the shells from the crabs, and the shell contains up to 25% chitin. Chitin is a naturally occurring biopolymer and the world’s second most abundant polysaccharide after cellulose. Research published in Fish & Shellfish Immunology and reviewed in MDPI’s Fishes journal (2025) indicates that bioavailable chitin in farmed fish can promote growth, boost innate immunity, and exhibit immunostimulant and antimicrobial effects that increase resistance to pathogens.
Crab Meal
Crab meal with natural chitin, astaxanthin, calcium and protein. >43% raw protein. Ideal for aquaculture diets requiring mineral content and natural pigmentation.
Crab Concentrate
High-protein concentrate with superior digestibility and palatability for premium diet formulations. >55% raw protein, >15% lipids.
Discuss Your Formulation
Request technical data sheets or talk to our team about incorporating crab-based ingredients into your aquafeed formulation.