82%
82% shrimp survival with biofloc and ozone nanobubbles
vs. 40% in clear-water culture. Result obtained in combination with biofloc.
Research paper · Liang et al. · 2025
Productivity > Aquaculture
Nanobubbles in Aquaculture
Oxygen nanobubbles are supplied to culture water in shrimp and fish farms and recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) to raise dissolved oxygen, supporting stable respiration for farmed species and oxygen management of culture water.
Culture conditions under dissolved oxygen deficiency
Dissolved oxygen drops easily during hot periods, at night and at high stocking densities, and accumulated feed residue and waste increase oxygen demand further. Dissolved oxygen deficiency can affect the respiration, metabolism, growth and survival of farmed species.
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Respiratory stress and reduced metabolism
When dissolved oxygen is low, fish and shrimp struggle to obtain enough oxygen, leading to respiratory stress and reduced normal metabolic activity.
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Lower feeding and slower growth
Prolonged oxygen deficiency restricts the energy metabolism needed for feeding and growth, slowing growth and lowering feed efficiency.
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Higher mortality risk and production loss
Severe oxygen deficiency or a sudden drop in dissolved oxygen can lead to mass mortality, and lower survival is a direct production loss for the farm.
Role of oxygen nanobubble supply
- Boosts dissolved oxygen in culture water Culture water is circulated and oxygen nanobubbles are added to raise dissolved oxygen.
- Works alongside existing aeration Paddlewheels and blowers continue to create currents, agitate the surface and mix the water, while nanobubbles reinforce the oxygen supply.
Expected benefits of oxygen nanobubbles in aquaculture
Oxygen nanobubbles strengthen the dissolved oxygen supply to culture water, improving respiration conditions for farmed species and helping maintain aerobic water quality and a stable culture environment. This potential is being examined in research papers; Honour Tech's aquaculture application is currently at the 'validation' stage.
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Action
More stable dissolved oxygen
- Boosts dissolved oxygen at night and in hot periods
- Softens sudden drops in dissolved oxygen
- Stabilizes respiration conditions for farmed species
Expected benefit
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Field effect
Supports aerobic water quality management
- Supplies oxygen for organic decomposition and nitrification
- Reduces oxygen-deficient zones at the bottom and in the water
- Supports the oxygen demand of RAS biofilters
Expected benefit
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Business effect
Better conditions for growth and survival
- Reduces stress and poor feeding caused by oxygen deficiency
- Helps manage growth rate and feed efficiency
- Lowers mortality risk and production loss
Expected benefit · Research papers
Aquaculture applications for oxygen nanobubbles
Any culture facility that can circulate its water can be considered. All three applications are currently at the 'validation' stage.
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Shrimp farming
Dissolved oxygen supply for outdoor ponds and land-based tanks
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Tank-based fish farming
Oxygen supply and water quality management in high-density tanks
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Recirculating aquaculture (RAS)
Oxygen supply for water recirculation and biofiltration
- Validation: field and economic validation in progress
Nanobubble products for aquaculture
Aquaculture nanobubble systems are selected based on culture water volume, oxygen demand, operating hours and the existing aeration setup. HEN, suited to high flow and long operating hours, is recommended first; HOA is also an option where dissolved oxygen supply is the main goal.
| Sub-application | HEN High efficiency | HOA Oxygen dissolver |
|---|---|---|
| Shrimp farming | Recommended | Optional |
| Tank-based fish farming | Recommended | Optional |
| Recirculating aquaculture (RAS) | Recommended | Optional |
| Details HEN | Details HOA |
Recommended Optional Multiple units are run in parallel when flow exceeds a standard model's capacity.
Selection factors
- Culture water volume (tank capacity, pond area and depth)
- Stocking density, normal and nighttime minimum dissolved oxygen, water temperature
- Target dissolved oxygen and daily operating hours
- How to run alongside existing aeration equipment
- Power conditions
- Water quality (check suitability first for seawater and brackish water)
Information to include in your inquiry
- Species
- Culture method (outdoor pond, tank, RAS)
- Water volume or tank capacity
- Current dissolved oxygen and existing aeration equipment
- Power conditions
Potential confirmed in research papers
Research papers on oxygen nanobubbles in aquaculture evaluate dissolved oxygen supply, culture conditions, and growth and survival indicators. Honour Tech uses these results to review application conditions in real farms, and publishes both positive and neutral results in its case studies.
No difference
No difference in fish growth or survival with air nanobubbles
Nitrite concentration was lower, 1.40 → 0.99 mg/L.
Research paper · Sean et al. · 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about growth and survival, existing aeration, management at night and in hot periods, seawater use and oxygen supply costs.
Do oxygen nanobubbles improve the growth and survival of shrimp and fish?
In aquaculture environments where oxygen shortage affects growth and survival, oxygen nanobubbles can improve rearing conditions.
When dissolved oxygen is insufficient, the respiration, feeding and energy metabolism of shrimp and fish are limited, which can lead to slower growth or lower survival. Oxygen nanobubble systems can be used to relieve this oxygen shortage.
Some research papers have reported improved growth and survival with nanobubbles. Honour Tech's aquaculture application is currently at the "validation" stage, and on actual farms it is best to judge the effect by comparing growth rate, feed efficiency and survival along with changes in dissolved oxygen.
Can existing paddlewheels or blowers be replaced with a nanobubble system?
The basic approach is to run it together with existing aeration equipment. The nanobubble system reinforces oxygen supply, and any adjustment to existing equipment is considered after actual performance is confirmed.
Paddlewheels and blowers not only supply oxygen but also mix the water and create currents. Because the nanobubble system is used to strengthen oxygen transfer, we consider running it alongside existing equipment to raise overall oxygen supply efficiency.
Honour Tech checks the current dissolved oxygen level, operating conditions of existing aeration equipment and circulation of the rearing water to review a suitable configuration. Whether to adjust the operating hours or number of existing aerators is best decided after confirming actual oxygen supply performance and flow conditions.
How should dissolved oxygen be managed when it drops at night or during hot periods?
It is important to manage dissolved oxygen around the times when oxygen shortage is likely and to secure the necessary oxygen supply.
During hot periods, the oxygen solubility of water falls while oxygen consumption by stock and microorganisms can rise. In ponds with abundant algae, dissolved oxygen can also fall sharply at night when photosynthesis stops.
Nanobubble systems can be used to reinforce oxygen supply during these periods. Honour Tech considers normal and night-time minimum dissolved oxygen, water temperature, stocking density and water volume to review the required system capacity and operating method.
In high-density aquaculture, it is also advisable to have emergency oxygen supply in place in case of equipment failure or power outage.
Can oxygen nanobubble systems be used in seawater or brackish water?
Application to seawater and brackish water can be considered, but equipment materials and operating conditions suited to the salinity must be chosen.
Seawater dissolves oxygen differently from fresh water, and salinity increases the risk of corrosion in pumps, piping, seals and bubble mixers.
Honour Tech checks the salinity, water temperature, flow rate and target dissolved oxygen of the feed water to review the suitability of the system and wetted-part materials. For seawater systems, it is important to select based on actual water quality and operating hours rather than applying freshwater standard specifications as they are.
Can a nanobubble system reduce oxygen supply costs on a fish or shrimp farm?
Improving oxygen transfer efficiency and the operation of existing aeration equipment can help optimize the energy cost of oxygen supply.
Oxygen supply costs on a farm depend not only on the power consumption of pumps, blowers and paddlewheels but also on the use of oxygen generators or liquid oxygen. When considering adoption, it is important to compare the power and oxygen consumption of existing equipment and the nanobubble system against the same dissolved oxygen target.
Honour Tech checks rearing water volume, target dissolved oxygen, and operating hours and energy use of existing equipment to review a suitable system configuration. For high-flow facilities that run for long hours, it is best to compare annual operating costs as well as initial investment.
Tell us your species, culture method, tank capacity and current dissolved oxygen, and we will review a configuration for your site.
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