Floating or sinking on demand
Extrusion gelatinizes starch so the same fish feed extruder can produce buoyant pellets for tilapia and catfish or a denser sinking pellet for shrimp.
Feed Processing Equipment
A fish feed pellet machine (extruder) cooks and shapes raw ingredients into floating or sinking feed pellets under heat and pressure, sized from a single-farm unit to a production-scale fish feed pellet mill.
15+ years in aquaculture engineering · Trusted by Japfa Group, Japan Nissui & Tropo Farms · Shipped worldwide in one container
A fish feed pellet machine — also called a fish feed extruder — cooks and shapes raw ingredients into uniform feed pellets under heat and pressure, instead of leaving farmers to buy pre-made bags at whatever price the market sets that week. The extrusion process gelatinizes the starch in the mix, which is what lets a pellet float or sink on command: a floating fish feed extruder machine traps steam in the pellet core so it stays buoyant, while a sinking-feed setting produces a denser pellet for shrimp and bottom feeders.
Capacity is the main thing to size correctly. A small electric fish feed extruder machine suited to a single farm or hatchery typically runs 60–120 kg/h, while a production-scale fish feed pellet mill for a feed mill or co-op can run several hundred kg/h to multiple tons/h. Pellet diameter, floating time and hardness all depend on the die and moisture settings used during extrusion, so SIGMA configures each fish feed pellet making machine around the target species and pellet size before shipment.
Typical species fits include floating pellets for tilapia and catfish, sinking pellets for shrimp and crab, and smaller-diameter trout feed pellets and carp feed pellets for cold-water species.
Specifications
Capacity, pellet size and power draw are the standard indicative range - final configuration is confirmed by SIGMA before shipment.
| Model | Capacity | Typical use | Core configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIGMA-FE-60 | 60-120 kg/h | Single farm / hatchery | Small electric fish feed extruder machine, floating pellets |
| SIGMA-FE-150 | 150-250 kg/h | Mid-size farm / co-op | Floating or sinking die, dryer optional |
| SIGMA-FE-500 | 500 kg/h - 1 t/h | Commercial feed mill | Twin-screw extruder, floating & sinking dies |
| SIGMA-FE-2000 | 1-2+ t/h | Production-scale feed mill | Full line: mixer, extruder, dryer, coater |
| Process | Extrusion - raw mix is cooked under heat and pressure, gelatinizing starch for shape and buoyancy control |
|---|---|
| Pellet type | Floating (buoyant, steam-trapped core) or sinking (denser die setting) on the same platform |
| Pellet size | Typically 1-10 mm die range, matched to species and grow stage |
| Drive | Electric motor (standard) or diesel engine option for off-grid sites |
| Line options | Mixer, dryer and oil-coating stages can be added ahead of / after the extruder |
System composition
Extrusion gelatinizes starch so the same fish feed extruder can produce buoyant pellets for tilapia and catfish or a denser sinking pellet for shrimp.
From a small electric fish feed extruder machine for one farm to a production-scale fish feed pellet mill for a feed business.
Uniform diameter and hardness cut feed waste and water fouling compared with hand-mixed or low-cost mash feed.
Interchangeable dies cover trout feed pellets and carp feed pellets alongside standard tilapia and catfish sizes.
Application
Gallery
FAQ
Floating fish feed pellet machine settings trap steam in the pellet core during extrusion so it stays buoyant - suited to surface feeders like tilapia and catfish, and easy to observe feeding behaviour. Sinking feed uses a denser die setting and suits shrimp, crab and bottom-feeding species.
A small electric fish feed extruder machine at 60-120 kg/h covers a single farm or hatchery. A mid-size 150-250 kg/h unit suits a farm cooperative, while a production-scale fish feed pellet mill at 500 kg/h and up serves a commercial feed business supplying multiple farms.
Yes - changing the die and adjusting pellet diameter lets the same fish feed pellet making machine produce trout feed pellets, carp feed pellets, and standard tilapia or catfish sizes.
Extruded pellets carry moisture from cooking, so a dryer stage (inline or standalone) is recommended before bagging to prevent mould and extend shelf life; SIGMA can supply this as an add-on line.
Fish feed extruder machine price scales mainly with capacity (kg/h), whether it's a dry-type or wet-type extruder, and whether a dryer/coating stage is included. A small fish feed making machine for one farm costs a fraction of a production-scale fish feed pellet mill line.
Tell us your species, target density and site — our engineers size the system and reply within one business day.