Researchers from the School of Agricultural Engineering and Natural Habitats (ETSIAMN) of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), Spain, have developed an extruded aquafeed for farmed octopus.

Professors Ana Tomas and Miguel Jover, Institute of Animal Science and Technology, who led the project, reported that in past studies feeds were developed that the octopus ate and on which they maintained weight, but did not gain. With the newest formulation the animals gain weight, although not as rapidly as with natural food sources. However, the researchers claim a major breakthrough. The feed includes fish meal, krill meal and gelatine, among other ingredients.

Tomas explained that in 2009, during the first phase of the project, "octopuses manipulated food, ate a little, but did not like it and did not fatten." She explained that one of the problems of the previous feed was that "the octopuses crack it into parts and much of the food was lost in the water."

With the new developed this problem could be solved. At this stage of the investigation, the octopuses were placed in separate cells, with enough space to live and feed. Today we are testing octopuses’ adaptation in the sea, and then nutrition tests with the new feed will be conducted".

Experts say octopuses are "extremely intelligent, selective and capable of learning", and can even detect the taste "with all their body and if they find the food unpleasant, they don’t eat it." [Source: Fis.com]