Article

Composition of sandhopper, Talitrus saltator and potential as a novel aquaculture feed

Details

Citation

Albalat A, Spence R, Sprague M & Powell A (2025) Composition of sandhopper, Talitrus saltator and potential as a novel aquaculture feed. Crustacean Research, 54, pp. 9-17. https://doi.org/10.18353/crustacea.54.0_9

Abstract
Accelerated aquaculture production has driven demand for novel ingredients in aquaculture feeds. Potential alternatives include single cell organisms, transgenic crops and terrestrial arthropods for example the black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens. Underutilised aquatic taxa, such as amphipods, possess a wide range of unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids valued by the aquaculture feed industry. However, information regarding composition of semi-terrestrial talitrid amphipods remains at an exploratory stage. For instance, Talitrus saltator is a common European sandhopper currently lacking published, comprehensive body composition and lipid analysis data. In this study, monthly sampling of T. saltator (July–September) showed a distinct increase in body size, energy value, protein content and storage lipids (triacylglycerols) likely due to increased foraging potential during the warmer and more productive summer period. Toward the end of the summer, sandhopper proximate composition was comparable to other arthropod meals (Krill, Euphausia superba, amphipod Gammarus sp., and H. illucens). Whilst T. saltator fatty acid composition was biased toward monounsaturated fatty acids (ranging from 44.1–57%), samples also contained a range of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including valuable omega 3 long chain fatty acids. However, there remains scant information on T. saltator harvesting or culture potential, likely essential to produce biomass of sufficient quantity or composition for commercial use.

Keywords
DHA; EPA; omega 3; fatty acid; amphipod; aquafeed

Journal
Crustacean Research: Volume 54

StatusPublished
Publication date31/12/2025
Publication date online28/02/2025
Date accepted by journal10/01/2025
PublisherCarcinological Society of Japan
ISSN0278-0372
eISSN1937-240X

People (3)

Professor Amaya Albalat

Professor Amaya Albalat

Professor, Institute of Aquaculture

Dr Adam Powell

Dr Adam Powell

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Aquaculture

Dr Matthew Sprague

Dr Matthew Sprague

Lecturer in Nutrition, Institute of Aquaculture