What Do They Feed the Farm Raised Salmon?

December 22, 2025 •

4 min read

Over half of the salmon consumed globally now comes from aquaculture, or fish farms. The feed given to these farm-raised salmon is a carefully formulated blend designed to mimic the nutritional profile of a wild salmon's diet, while also increasing efficiency and sustainability. This diet directly impacts the fish's health, growth, and nutritional content, including its levels of key omega-3 fatty acids.

Quick Summary

An examination of the processed pellets fed to farm-raised salmon, detailing the primary ingredients such as plant proteins, fishmeal, fish oil, and the addition of vitamins, minerals, and the antioxidant astaxanthin. The article explores how this diet compares to a wild salmon's and addresses key differences in nutritional profile, sustainability practices, and the modern push towards more innovative, plant-based alternatives.

Key Points

Balanced Feed Composition: Farm-raised salmon are fed a carefully formulated diet of processed pellets, which includes a mix of marine-based ingredients, plant proteins, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Marine and Plant Sources: Ingredients like fishmeal and fish oil are sourced from by-products of fisheries and forage fish, while plant-based components often include soy, wheat, and vegetable oils.
Astaxanthin for Color: The distinct pink-orange color of farmed salmon comes from astaxanthin, an antioxidant added to their feed, which wild salmon get naturally from crustaceans.
Innovation for Sustainability: The aquaculture industry is actively working to reduce reliance on wild-caught fish for feed by incorporating alternative, sustainable ingredients like insect meal and algae.
High Nutritional Value: Both farmed and wild salmon are excellent sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, and responsible farming practices ensure a healthy and safe product for consumption.

Understanding the Modern Farmed Salmon Diet

The composition of farmed salmon feed has evolved significantly over time due to advancements in nutritional science and a growing emphasis on sustainability. While early farmed salmon diets relied heavily on wild-caught marine ingredients, modern feed manufacturers have shifted towards a more balanced approach. Today's diets are carefully formulated pellets that are highly digestible and nutrient-dense to support the rapid growth and health of the fish.

Core Ingredients in the Salmon Feed Pellet

The modern farmed salmon diet is a complex recipe designed to meet all of the fish's nutritional requirements. The primary components can be broken down into marine and terrestrial sources, supplemented with essential micro-ingredients.

Marine-Based Ingredients:

Fishmeal: A protein source made from small, bony forage fish (like anchovies and sardines) not intended for human consumption, as well as trimmings and by-products from fish processed for human consumption. It provides high-quality protein and minerals.
Fish Oil: Sourced similarly to fishmeal, this ingredient is a critical source of the heart-healthy long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, that are vital for both the salmon's health and human consumption.

Terrestrial (Plant-Based) Ingredients:

Plant Proteins: Ingredients like soy protein, corn gluten meal, canola meal, and pea meal are used as protein supplements to reduce reliance on marine-based sources.
Vegetable Oils: Plant-based oils such as rapeseed, camelina, and soy oil provide energy and fatty acids.
Carbohydrates: Sources like wheat and peas provide energy for the fish.

Micro-Ingredients and Additives:

Vitamins and Minerals: A cocktail of essential micronutrients is added to ensure a complete and balanced diet, including Vitamin B complex, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Selenium.
Pigments: The antioxidant astaxanthin is added to the feed to give farmed salmon their characteristic pinkish-orange color. Wild salmon acquire this pigment naturally by eating krill and shrimp. Astaxanthin also supports the fish's immune system.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Some feeds include additives to promote gut health and immunity.

The Shift Towards Sustainability in Feed

Historically, concerns have been raised about the use of wild-caught forage fish to produce feed for farmed salmon. However, the aquaculture industry has made significant strides to reduce its dependence on these limited resources. Through research and innovation, feed formulations have evolved to incorporate a higher percentage of sustainable, plant-based alternatives and by-products. Some of the newer, more innovative feed ingredients being explored include insect meal and microalgae, which offer sustainable sources of protein and omega-3s, respectively.

Comparison: Farmed Salmon vs. Wild Salmon Diet


Feature	Farm Raised Salmon	Wild Salmon
Environment	Controlled, managed systems like sea pens or land-based tanks.	Natural habitats such as oceans, rivers, and lakes.
Diet	Processed, formulated pellets consisting of a mix of fishmeal, fish oil, plant proteins, vegetables oils, vitamins, minerals, and astaxanthin.	Varied, natural diet including zooplankton, crustaceans (like krill and shrimp), and smaller fish.
Nutrition Control	Scientifically managed to ensure balanced nutrients, with controlled inputs.	Dependent on the natural ecosystem, which can vary.
Omega-3s	Levels are controlled by the inclusion of fish oil and, increasingly, microalgae in the feed. The ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 may differ from wild salmon due to plant oil inclusion.	Rich in omega-3 fatty acids naturally from consuming krill and small fish.
Color	The pink color comes from astaxanthin added to the feed.	The pink color is derived naturally from the astaxanthin in their crustacean diet.
Sustainability	Relies on a combination of marine ingredients, by-products, and increasingly sustainable plant-based and novel ingredients to reduce pressure on wild fisheries.	Considered a sustainable option when harvested from well-managed fisheries, but is susceptible to overfishing pressure.

Are the Ingredients Safe?

Like all food production, the safety of farmed salmon feed is subject to regulations and oversight by government bodies. For example, feed labels provide information on composition, nutrients, and additives, and certified farms must adhere to strict guidelines. While concerns about contaminants like PCBs and dioxins have been raised in the past, stricter regulations on feed ingredients have led to significantly lower levels in farmed salmon in recent years. Furthermore, health organizations consistently find that the nutritional benefits of eating both farmed and wild salmon outweigh the minimal risks from contaminants.

The Evolving Future of Salmon Feed

The aquaculture industry is continually innovating to improve feed sustainability and nutritional efficiency. Researchers are developing new ingredients and technologies to further reduce reliance on wild marine resources. This includes expanding the use of insect meals, algae, and fermented products as viable feed components. The goal is to create a more circular food system, where nutrients are upcycled from by-products and waste streams. These efforts aim to make farmed salmon an even more eco-efficient source of protein while maintaining and even improving its nutritional value. For a deeper look at industry initiatives, organizations like the Global Salmon Initiative are transparently tracking progress in this area.

Conclusion

Contrary to common misconceptions, what they feed the farm raised salmon is a precisely formulated diet designed to promote healthy growth and a high nutritional yield. Modern farmed salmon feed consists of a balanced mixture of marine-based ingredients (fishmeal and fish oil), plant proteins (soy, wheat), vegetable oils (rapeseed), and vital vitamins and minerals. The industry is actively working toward a more sustainable future by incorporating innovative ingredients like insect meal and microalgae, reducing the pressure on wild fish stocks and addressing environmental concerns. Consumers can be confident in the nutritional quality and safety of responsibly-farmed salmon, which provides an excellent source of protein and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids.

Frequently Asked Questions

While early salmon feed relied heavily on wild-caught fish, modern formulas have dramatically reduced this dependence. Today's feed uses a smaller percentage of fishmeal and fish oil, often sourced from forage fish not fit for human consumption or by-products, and incorporates a majority of plant-based ingredients.

Wild salmon get their color naturally from their diet of krill and shrimp, which contain the antioxidant astaxanthin. Farmed salmon would be gray without the addition of this same antioxidant to their feed, which is included for both the desired color and its health benefits.

Both farmed and wild salmon are excellent sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Some argue that farmed salmon can be healthier due to its controlled diet, which allows for precise nutrient management, but the nutritional value of both types is comparable.

The use of antibiotics varies by location and farm. Many large producers, especially in Norway and Canada, have significantly reduced or eliminated their use of antibiotics, while some countries, like Chile, have had issues with excessive use. Many certified sustainable operations strictly limit antibiotic use.

In efforts to improve sustainability, the aquaculture industry is increasingly using alternative ingredients such as insect meal, microalgae, and single-cell proteins to replace marine-based components in salmon feed.

Like any farming operation, there is an environmental impact. Uncontained farms can release excess feed and waste, which can lead to localized nutrient pollution. However, modern regulations and better management practices, such as feeding technology and regular seabed monitoring, aim to minimize these effects.

Most retailers and restaurants are required by law to label salmon as either 'farmed' or 'wild'. If you are unsure, you can ask. Visually, wild salmon is often leaner with a slightly different color and texture due to its varied diet and more active lifestyle.