An automated system for administering food to laboratory animals housed in aquatic tanks includes a plurality of individual feeding units that independently communicate with a common feed management hub. Each feeding unit includes a rack for holding a collection of aquatic tanks and a wireless robotic feeder configured to move in three dimensions relative to the rack. The robotic feeder precisely meters and delivers liquid and/or dry food to each rack-mounted tank in accordance with user-modifiable feed schedules which are maintained by the feed management hub. To compensate for any adjustments to the particular arrangement of tanks within a feeding unit, the robotic feeder periodically scans the rack for tanks and transmits the scan data back to the feed management hub. Accordingly, the feed management hub ensures that the proper type of food is accurately and timely delivered to each aquatic tank in compliance with the stored feed schedules.

A method for shrimp aquaculture, in which, all growth phases and essential operations are modularized and integrated to form a multi-phasic synchronous super-intensive shrimp production system controlled by a custom designed cyber-physical platform. Modular components include, for example, post-larvae nursery modules, grow-out production modules, recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) modules, feed distribution modules, and regulatory elements comprised of Program Logic Controllers (PLCs) integrated with Human Interface Modules (HIMs).

A method for shrimp aquaculture, in which, all growth phases and essential operations are modularized and integrated to form a multi-phasic synchronous super-intensive shrimp production system controlled by a custom designed cyber-physical platform. Modular components include, for example, post-larvae nursery modules, grow-out production modules, recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) modules, feed distribution modules, and regulatory elements comprised of Program Logic Controllers (PLCs) integrated with Human Interface Modules (HIMs).

A feeding apparatus includes an inner compartment having a first opening; and an outer compartment having a second opening. At least one of the inner compartment and the outer compartment is configured to be movable relative to the other one of the inner compartment and the outer compartment from a first position in which the first opening is out of alignment with the second opening to a second position in which the first opening is aligned with the second opening.

A feeding apparatus includes an inner compartment having a first opening; and an outer compartment having a second opening. At least one of the inner compartment and the outer compartment is configured to be movable relative to the other one of the inner compartment and the outer compartment from a first position in which the first opening is out of alignment with the second opening to a second position in which the first opening is aligned with the second opening.

A system includes a housing; a water tank positioned within the housing, wherein an inside of the water tank is sealed to prevent contact between material forming the water tank and water within the water tank; a water movement subsystem causing water to circulate within the water tank, including a baffle extending along the center of the water tank dividing the water tank into a circular raceway, and a pump causing water to circulate; an aeration subsystem maintaining an oxygenation level suitable for crustaceans to live within the water tank; a temperature control subsystem maintaining a water temperature suitable for crustaceans to live within the water tank; a water quality monitoring subsystem monitoring a water quality parameter of water within the water tank; a feeding subsystem configured to dispense food into the water tank; a biofloc removal subsystem configured to remove biofloc from the water tank; and a control system.

A system includes a housing; a water tank positioned within the housing, wherein an inside of the water tank is sealed to prevent contact between material forming the water tank and water within the water tank; a water movement subsystem causing water to circulate within the water tank, including a baffle extending along the center of the water tank dividing the water tank into a circular raceway, and a pump causing water to circulate; an aeration subsystem maintaining an oxygenation level suitable for crustaceans to live within the water tank; a temperature control subsystem maintaining a water temperature suitable for crustaceans to live within the water tank; a water quality monitoring subsystem monitoring a water quality parameter of water within the water tank; a feeding subsystem configured to dispense food into the water tank; a biofloc removal subsystem configured to remove biofloc from the water tank; and a control system.

A distribution device automates and meters distribution of feed in a commercial shrimp production facility utilizing a stacked shallow tank configuration. The device includes an elongated support surface positioned over and extending along an elongated tank having an open top. A shuttle moves along the support surface to move along a length of the tank. A hopper to hold feed is coupled to the shuttle. A spreader is in environmental communication with the hopper to distribute feed from the hopper and a meter is operationally coupled between the hopper and the spreader for controlling an amount of the feed delivered to and distributed by the spreader.

A distribution device automates and meters distribution of feed in a commercial shrimp production facility utilizing a stacked shallow tank configuration. The device includes an elongated support surface positioned over and extending along an elongated tank having an open top. A shuttle moves along the support surface to move along a length of the tank. A hopper to hold feed is coupled to the shuttle. A spreader is in environmental communication with the hopper to distribute feed from the hopper and a meter is operationally coupled between the hopper and the spreader for controlling an amount of the feed delivered to and distributed by the spreader.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer-storage media, for underwater feed movement detection. In one aspect, the method may include the actions of obtaining images captured at different time points, where the images are captured by a camera and indicate feed that has been dispersed by a feeder for aquatic livestock inside an enclosure; determining, for each image, respective locations of the feed indicated by the image; determining, from the respective locations of the feed, a respective movement of the feed over the different time points; determining, based on the respective feed movement of the feed over the different time points, water current movement within the enclosure for the aquatic livestock; and outputting an indication of the water current movement.