How is stocking density calculated?
Stocking density (kg/m³) = Biomass (kg) ÷ Volume (m³)
Free toolFish Biomass CalculatorTypical ranges
At harvest, 15–25 kg/m³ is common for sea bass and sea bream in sea cages, 20–40 kg/m³ in trout raceways depending on water exchange, and 50 kg/m³ or more in intensive RAS. The right value depends on oxygen, water exchange and species.
Effects of high density
- Oxygen consumption rises and critical drops appear in the early morning.
- Competition and size variation increase, and FCR rises.
- Stress and disease risk increase, and mortality rises.
Plan stocking for density at harvest
When stocking juveniles, aim for the density at harvest, not today’s. Work backwards: harvest biomass from volume, fish count from harvest weight and juveniles from expected survival.
Free toolStocking Density CalculatorFCRSOFT
FCRSOFT does this for you automatically
You don’t need to do the calculations and checks on this page by hand every day. FCRSOFT derives them all automatically from the records entered in the field.
- Capacity, biomass and FCR are tracked separately for each cage.
- Mortality, feeding and behaviour events are recorded by camera.
- Maintenance of nets, boats and feeding equipment is tracked with work orders.
Last updated: 10/3/2026
