10-12 T/h fish feed machine
Designed for large-scale aquatic feed processing, the 10-12 t/h fish feed machine integrates high-efficiency extrusion, stable pelleting, and intelligent control. It ensures stable production of floating feed, sinking feed, and various aquatic pellets.
When combined with crushing, drying, coating, cooling, and packaging equipment to form a complete production line, this machine serves as the core unit, guaranteeing a continuous and balanced output of 10-12 tons per hour.
Overview of 5-6 T/H Fish Feed Pellet Extruder Machine
This capacity represents a mainstream large-scale configuration in the industry. It meets the efficiency demands of mass production while avoiding investment redundancy or equipment mismatching. Thus, it ensures high compatibility for both new line builds and old line upgrades.
Positioned after raw material crushing, ultra-fine grinding, and mixing, the extruder machine performs the core task of extruding, cooking, and shaping the mixed powder under high temperature and pressure. Its outlet directly connects to dryers, coaters, coolers, sieves, and automatic packaging systems.
The machine’s capacity is deeply synchronized with the entire production line. This ensures a balanced 10-12 T/H flow from mixing to extrusion, wet to dry pellets, and coating to cooling. It prevents upstream material accumulation and downstream idling, minimizing downtime and maximizing overall equipment utilization.
Technical Specifications
- Capacity: 10-12 T/H (10000-12000 kg/h)
- Model: SPHS185×2
- Main Power: 355 kW
- Feeding Power: 2.2 kW
- Conditioning Power: 11 kW
- Screw Diameter: Φ185 mm
- Equipment Type: Twin Screw Extruder Machine
Applicable Raw Materials
- High-starch raw materials (Ideal for floating feed)
- High-protein raw materials (Ideal for sinking feed)
- High-fiber raw materials
- Various other aquatic feed formula ingredients
Matching Production Line Process
Raw Material Grinding → Batching & Mixing → Conveying & Elevating → Steam Conditioning → Extrusion → Drying → Oil/Fat Coating → Cooling → Screening → Automatic Packaging
Feed Types Available
- Floating fish feed (e.g., high-starch formulas)
- Sinking fish feed (e.g., high-protein, high-fiber formulas)
- Aquatic pellet feed (in various particle sizes)
- Special aquatic feed (meeting different water stability requirements)
The Structure of the Fish Feed Pellet Extruder Machine
Essentially, the structure of the fish feed pellet extruder is designed around the continuous process of “conveying → compression → cooking → forming → expansion.” The entire machine features multiple functional modules that work in synergy, ensuring that raw materials are transformed from powder into expanded pellets in a short time.
It is not a single piece of equipment, but a system that highly integrates mechanical energy, thermal energy, and process control. Every structural module directly impacts the final feed quality and production efficiency.
1. Feeding System
Responsible for stably and continuously feeding the uniformly mixed raw materials into the barrel.
It typically uses variable frequency speed control, allowing the feed rate to be adjusted according to production capacity requirements to prevent material blockage or interruption.
2. Conditioning System (Exclusive to Wet Extruders)
Primarily used in wet extruders. By adding steam and moisture to the raw materials, it performs pre-cooking.
This significantly improves the degree of starch gelatinization and protein denaturation, making it a critical stage that determines feed quality.
3. Extrusion System (The Core Component)
Consists of the screw and the barrel. The screw is responsible for propelling, compressing, and shearing the material. The barrel provides a high-temperature, high-pressure environment.
During this process, mechanical energy is converted into thermal energy, achieving cooking and plasticization.
4. Heating System (Available for both Dry and Wet Models)
Used to assist in regulating the barrel temperature.
Dry Type: Primarily relies on mechanical friction for heating, supplemented by electric heating.
Wet Type: Primarily relies on steam heating, offering more precise temperature control.
5. Die System
Determines the final shape and size of the pellets. By changing dies with different apertures (e.g., 0.6–8 mm), various specifications of fish feed can be produced.
The cutter is responsible for cutting the continuously extruded material column into uniform pellets.
6. Cutting System
Installed at the die outlet. It controls the pellet length by adjusting the rotation speed, directly influencing the appearance and uniformity of the final product.
7. Drive System
Includes the motor, reducer, coupling, etc. It provides stable power output to the screw and is key to ensuring the long-term stable operation of the equipment.
8. Control System
Used for centralized control of equipment operating parameters, such as feeding speed, main unit speed, and temperature. High-end models can achieve automated control, improving production stability and consistency.
Application of Fish Feed Pellet Extruders in Aquatic Feed Production
The fish feed pellet extruder is the core equipment in the aquatic feed production process. Its application covering the key stages from raw material conditioning to the output of finished pellets.
Thanks to its flexible adjustment capabilities for formulas, moisture content, expansion degree, and pellet structure, the fish feed pellet extruder has been widely applied in various aquatic feed production scenarios, including:
Fish Feed Pellets
Meet the diverse needs of freshwater and marine fish. Our extruder produces floating, slow-sinking, or sinking pellets with precise control over size and durability. The high-temperature process ensures a safe feed by eliminating harmful microorganisms and anti-nutrients.
Shrimp Feed Pellets
Built for durability. Our extruder creates dense, stable pellets that withstand water for long periods, perfect for slow-feeding shrimp. This reduces feed loss and water pollution, maximizing feed efficiency and lowering costs.
Tilapia Feed Production →
Tilapia are fast-growing with high appetites, making floating pellets the ideal choice. Our extruded pellets float for extended periods, allowing easy monitoring of feeding activity and minimizing waste from sinking.
Catfish Feed Production →
Catfish forage at the bottom, requiring sinking pellets. By adjusting process parameters, our extruder produces pellets that sink rapidly, feature excellent water stability, and meet the needs of slow, bottom-feeding consumption.
Sea Bass Feed Production →
As a high-value carnivorous fish, Sea Bass demand premium nutrition and pellet quality. Our extruder produces high-protein floating pellets that are uniform and stable, designed to maximize your aquaculture returns.
Ornamental Fish Feed Production →
Ornamental fish feed requires attractive appearance and long-lasting water stability. Our extruder creates pellets in various colors and shapes that resist softening in water, keeping aquariums clean and visually appealing.
Shrimp Feed Production →
Shrimp feed slowly, requiring feed that remains intact in water. Our extruded sinking pellets are smooth-surfaced and dense, offering over 24 hours of water stability to significantly reduce feed loss.
Crab Feed Production →
Crabs use claws to hold and consume feed slowly, demanding high pellet density. Our extruder produces high-density sinking pellets that remain stable in water, preventing disintegration and minimizing water pollution.
Cat Food Pellets
Cats are carnivores with high protein needs, requiring pellets that are both palatable and nutritionally balanced. Our extruder allows precise control over expansion, shape, and formulation to create crisp, tasty, and nutrient-rich pellets. It also supports customization in various shapes and flavors to meet diverse market demands.
Dog Food Pellets
Dog food formulas are omnivorous, requiring different shapes, sizes, and hardness levels for puppies, adults, and seniors. Our extruder features interchangeable molds to produce unique shapes—such as bones, rings, and triangles.
Performance Features of Fish Feed Extruder
During operation, the fish feed extruder delivers stable output and precise process control. It ensures thorough cooking and uniform expansion of materials, guaranteeing consistent pellet quality.
The equipment boasts strong raw material adaptability, handles diverse formulas, and supports long-term continuous operation. With overall stable performance and high product uniformity, it meets aquatic feed production needs of various scales.
High-Capacity Continuous Operation
Rated capacity: 5,000–6,000 kg/h, meeting the needs of production lines with a daily output of over 40 tons.
The structural design supports 24-hour continuous operation, ideal for industrial mass production.
Dual-Purpose for Floating & Sinking Feed
The same machine can switch between floating and sinking feed production.
By adjusting screw configuration, die structure, and process parameters, it precisely controls the expansion ratio and density.
Consistent Pellet Quality
The pressure field in the die area is optimized, ensuring consistent flow across all die holes even under high-volume output.
Pellets feature uniform length and neat cuts, with minimal diameter deviation within each batch.
High Cooking Level & Excellent Water Resistance
Starch gelatinization is over 90%, promoting easy digestion and absorption by fish.
Floating feed stays stable in water for ≥120 minutes, and sinking feed for ≥60 minutes, minimizing debris during transport and feeding.
Strong Formula Adaptability
The screw combination is optimized for complex formulas with high fat, protein, and fiber content.
It adapts to fluctuations in fish meal content and the addition of unconventional raw materials without compromising operational stability.
Automated Control
Temperature, pressure, feed speed, and screw speed are monitored and adjusted in real time.
Optional PLC control system and HMI interface are available to reduce manual intervention.
Features of Feed Produced by Fish Feed Pellet Extruder
Twin screw extruders offer superior process control during material mixing, cooking, and forming. As a result, the fish feed produced shows distinct advantages over conventional equipment in the following six aspects:
● Uniform Cooking
The twin-screw system ensures thorough mixing, making the inside and outside of the pellets equally cooked with no raw core.
● Consistent Pellet Shape
Stable discharge and precise cutting ensure consistent pellet length and neat edges.
● Strong Water Resistance
The pellets form a dense gelatinized surface layer that holds up in water without breaking or clouding it.
● Adjustable Floatability
The same machine can produce both floating and sinking feed.
● Flexible Formulation
It can stably process complex formulas with high fish meal, high fat, or high fiber content.
● Smooth Surface
The pellets are smooth with minimal debris and good palatability.
Other Capacities of Fish Feed Extruder Machine
Our extruders offer a range of production capacities, designed to meet the diverse needs of customers—from small-scale farms to large industrial feed plants. The entire production line is fully customizable based on raw materials, formulas, pellet sizes, and automation levels. It supports the production of floating fish feed, sinking fish feed, and shrimp & crab feed.
The price for a twin screw fish feed production line (0.5-10 T/H) typically ranges from 150,000 to 1,200,000 USD. The exact cost depends on the capacity configuration, equipment model, and specific project requirements.
0.3-0.4 T/H Fish Feed Machine
- 8-hour output: 2,400–3,200 kg/day (2.4–3.2 tons/day)
- Main power: 37kw
- Screw diameter: 90mm
- Feeding power: 0.75kw
0.5-0.6 T/H Fish Feed Making Machine
- 8-hour output: 4,000–4,800 kg/day (4–4.8 tons/day)
- Main power: 37kw
- Screw diameter: 90mm
- Feeding power: 7.5kw
- Conditioning power: 1.1kw
0.8-1.0 T/H Floating Fish Feed Extruder Machine
- 8-hour output: 6,400–8,000 kg/day (6.4–8 tons/day)
- Main power: 90kw
- Screw diameter: 160mm
- Feeding power: 3kw
1.5-2.0 T/H Fish Feed Extruder Machine
- 8-hour output: 12,000–16,000 kg/day (12–16 tons/day)
- Main power: 90kw
- Screw diameter: 120mm
- Feeding power: 1.5kw
- Conditioning power: 11kw
3-4 T/H Floating Fish Feed Machine
- 8-hour output: 24,000–32,000 kg/day (24–32 tons/day)
- Main power: 110kw
- Screw diameter: 120mm
- Feeding power: 1.5kw
- Conditioning power: 11kw
5-6T/H Fish Feed Pellet Extruder Machine
- 8-hour output: 40,000–48,000 kg/day (40–48 tons/day)
- Main power: 200kw
- Screw diameter: 150mm
- Feeding power: 1.5kw
- Conditioning power: 11kw
Upstream and Downstream Equipment for Fish Feed Machine
While the fish feed making machine turns powder into expanded pellets, it only covers the extrusion stage. For a complete feed production line from start to finish, you need to configure auxiliary equipment before and after the extruder.
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Front-End Equipment: Raw Material Pre-processing
The extruder has strict requirements for incoming material—raw ingredients must meet specific fineness and uniformity standards. Otherwise, the expansion effect and pellet quality will be compromised.
– Grinder: Crushes granular raw materials (such as soybean meal, corn, and wheat) into fine powder. For fish feed, the raw material fineness usually needs to be over 40 mesh. Insufficient fineness leads to rough pellet surfaces and unstable expansion.
– Mixer: Thoroughly blends various ingredients (e.g., plant protein, animal protein, premixes, and additives).
The mixing uniformity ensures that every pellet contains consistent nutrition. Horizontal ribbon mixers or double-shaft paddle mixers are commonly used to meet these requirements.
2
The Fish Feed Extruder Machine
This is the core machine, responsible for conditioning, extruding, expanding, and shaping the material. Users can configure a single-layer or double-layer conditioner based on production needs. The double-layer conditioner offers better cooking effects and is ideal for producing floating feed that requires high expansion.
3
Back-End Equipment: Pellet Processing
Pellets fresh from the extruder are hot (usually 80-100°C) and have high moisture content. They cannot be packaged or fed directly and require post-processing.
– Cooler: Lowers the temperature of hot pellets to room temperature and removes excess moisture. Cooled pellets are harder, more durable, and resistant to mold. The counter-flow cooler is a common choice due to its even cooling and low energy consumption.
– Crumbler: Breaks large diameter pellets into smaller ones. This is used when producing small-sized feed (like shrimp post-larvae feed or fish fry starter). The process involves extruding large strands, then crushing and screening them to get uniform small particles. This is an optional configuration based on actual needs.
– Screener: Removes fine powder and debris from the finished pellets. It also separates oversized or undersized particles to ensure the neatness and quality of the final product. For commercial feed intended for market sale, this equipment is highly recommended.
4
Auxiliary Equipment (Optional Configuration)
– Steam System: If your conditioner requires steam, a boiler or steam generator is needed. Some small-scale models feature electric heating for conditioning, eliminating the need for steam.
– Conveying System: Transfers materials between machines (e.g., bucket elevators, screw conveyors). This reduces manual labor and enhances continuous operation efficiency.
5
Key Considerations
Grinding fineness and mixing uniformity directly affect the extruder’s capacity and pellet quality. We advise against over-saving on the front-end equipment.
The cooling step cannot be omitted. Insufficiently cooled pellets are prone to overheating and molding after packaging, resulting in the loss of the entire batch.
If you already have a ring die pelletizer for sinking feed, this extruder can serve as a supplementary unit for producing floating extruded feed. Both can share the same front-end grinding and mixing equipment.
Core Equipment Configuration of Small-Scale Fish Feed Production Line
Once the overall production line structure is clear, the next step is to understand the specific role of each key machine.
A stable small-scale fish feed production line relies on the seamless cooperation of multiple functional modules. From raw material processing to the final output, every stage directly impacts pellet quality and production efficiency.
Below, we explain the core components of the small-scale fish feed line from an equipment perspective. This will help you clearly understand the system and choose the right equipment combination based on your raw materials and capacity needs.
Cylindrical primary cleaning screen
Production: 1-25 tons/hour
Power: 30-160 kW
Removes large impurities like stones, ropes, and debris.
Hammer mill
Grinding fineness：0.5-20mm
Rotational speed ：2980 rpm
Uses high-speed rotating hammers to crush raw materials into the desired particle size.
Paddle mixer
Effective volume ：0.5-4 m3
Mixing amount per batch ：250-2000 kg/P
Thoroughly mixes multiple raw materials and additives according to the formula.
Belt dryer
Pellet Size ：6-8mm
Mesh belt width ：0.8-1.6 m
Uses continuous conveying to evenly dry formed materials, reducing moisture content.
Vacuum spraying machine
Matching production capacity:1- 15 t/h
Batch working time: 6 min
Uniformly sprays oil or functional liquids onto pellet surfaces under vacuum conditions.
Cooler
Drying area：13-58m2
Mesh belt width ：0.8-1.6 m
Uses counter-flow cold air to cool hot pellets.
Screener
Output: 2-50 tons/hour
Screen angle ：19°
Separates qualified pellets from powder, oversized, or undersized particles.
Packaging machine
Package range ：10-50kg/bag ( adjustable )
Packaging speed ：2-8 packs/minute
Automatically weighs, fills, and seals finished feed products.
RICHI’s Completed Aquaculture Feed Plant Projects
With years of deep expertise in the R&D and manufacturing of fish feed equipment, RICHI has successfully completed numerous delivery projects worldwide.
From single-machine solutions for small-scale production to large-scale automated factories, we consistently build highly stable and cost-effective production systems for our clients, adhering to the standards of a professional fish feed machinery manufacturer.
Below are some of our project cases that have been commissioned and are operating stably long-term, helping you to more intuitively understand our capabilities and delivery capacity.
DRC Fish Feed Plant
Capacity: 1 t/h
Region: DRC, Africa
Application: Feed production for Tilapia and Catfish.
Pellet Size: 1.5-6 mm fish feed pellets.
Iranian Fish & Shrimp Extruded Feed Production Line
Capacity: 2 t/h
Region: Iran, Asia
Application: Feed production for fish and shrimp.
Pellet Size: 1-8 mm feed pellets
Indonesian Shrimp Feed Pellet Production Line
Capacity: 2 t/h
Region: Indonesia, Asia
Application: Feed production for shrimp
Pellet Size: 0.6-8 mm
Malaysia Animal Feed Processing Plant
Capacity: 1-3 t/h
Region: Malaysia, Asia
Application: Feed production for Tilapia, Catfish, Grouper, Shrimp, as well as Chicken and Duck.
Pellet Size: 1-8 mm for fish/shrimp; 2-5 mm for chicken/duck.
Vietnam Aquatic Feed Processing Plant
Capacity: 4 t/h
Region: Vietnam, Asia
Application: Feed production for Tilapia, Catfish, and White Shrimp.
Pellet Size: 0.8-5 mm for fish; 0.8-2 mm for shrimp.
Turkish pet food and floating fish feed production line
Capacity: 1 t/h
Region: Turkey, Asia
Application: Feed production for trout, bass, and snapper; pet food pellets
Pellet Size: 5-8 mm fish feed; 2-6 mm cat, dog food pellets.
FAQ About Fish Feed Machine
If you have any questions about extruders or feed production, you can first take a look at these answers.
1. Can this machine produce both floating and sinking feed? Do we need to change any parts?
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Yes, absolutely. By adjusting process parameters such as the formula, conditioning temperature, and screw speed, the same machine can switch between floating and sinking pellets. Floating feed requires a higher expansion rate, which is achieved by adjusting the steam input and screw configuration—no major parts need to be replaced. However, for frequent switching, we recommend having different dies (ring molds) to ensure the best forming quality.
2. What is the pellet size range achievable by changing the die?
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By changing the die with different hole diameters, our fish feed machine can produce pellets ranging from 0.8mm to 14mm.
The 0.8mm to 1.5mm size is suitable for fry and shrimp starter feed; the 1.5mm to 4.0mm size applies to Tilapia and Shrimp; the 4.0mm to 8.0mm size is ideal for adult fish and frogs; and the 8.0mm to 14.0mm size is suitable for cat and dog pet food. One single fish feed machine covers a wide range of applications, from small-scale aquaculture to pet food production.
3. Can this fish feed pellet machine be used alone, or does it require other equipment?
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The machine can operate independently. You can feed the pre-mixed powder directly into the extruder to produce expanded pellets.
However, if you want to produce shelf-stable finished feed, you need to add drying and cooling equipment. If you are processing from raw ingredients, you will also need a grinder and mixer. We offer complete turnkey solutions, providing all equipment—grinding, mixing, extruding, drying, cooling, and packaging—to help you build a full production line from raw material to finished product.
4. Is professional training required to operate this machine?
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No. The machine features a variable frequency feeding system and an intuitive control panel. Key parameters (temperature, speed, cutter position) are clearly marked. An ordinary worker can master daily operations like starting, production, and stopping after just 1-2 days of video training. We provide detailed English manuals and operation videos. We also offer online support for overseas customers.
Aquatic Feed Pelleting Machine by Capacity
Begin production at 0.3T/H, starting from just $7,500. Versatile in handling multiple formulations and ingredients, it delivers uninterrupted
manufacturing of aquatic feed, pet food, and animal feed pellets – all with reliable, consistent quality control.
Company Profile
Founded in 1995, RICHI Machinery Co., Ltd. is a manufacturer of feed machinery processing equipment and complete plant engineering, primarily focused on the feed machinery industry. We specialize in animal feed pellet mills, aquatic feed pellet mills, wood chip pellet mills, grain storage systems, and steel structure buildings. The research and development and production of aquatic feed pellet mills are a crucial component of our business.
In the aquaculture field, we offer complete production lines including fish/shrimp/crab feed pellet machines, feed extruders, crushers, mixers, dryers, coating systems, coolers, sieving equipment, and fully automatic packaging systems. We can customize efficient and energy-saving feed production solutions for customers according to the needs of various aquatic animals and pets.
300+
We have helped build hundreds of shrimp/fish feed production lines from scratch.
140+
Our feed pelletizing equipment has been sold to 140+ of the 200+ countries and regions in the world.
1000+
We now offer our related services to so many feed producers worldwide.
International Certification
All our equipment has passed ISO9001:2008, CE, CU-TR and other certifications.
We are a top maker and supplier of machines for shrimp/crab/fish feed and pet food.
For many yearsour shrimp/fish feed equipment have reached the USA, Canada, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, lran, Indonesia, Romania, Angola, Pakistan, Ethiopia, the UK, etc.
