Fish Feeding Control System Based on Visual Monitoring of Foraging Quantity in Fish Schools

Due to individual variations in foraging abilities, there is an uneven distribution of feed consumption among individuals within a fish school. To address this issue, a visual monitoring system is introduced to assess the foraging quantity of individual goldfish, and a precise feeding system is developed based on the differences in foraging quantity among different areas of the fish school. First, the foraging quantity of each individual in the fish school is determined by analyzing the fish school images collected during the feeding process. Then, the feeding amount for each area is determined based on the foraging quantity of individuals in that specific area. Finally, a PLC-controlled feeding system is employed to achieve precise feeding in different areas. Experimental results from a physical simulation system demonstrate that the developed system enables precise feed distribution based on the differences in individual foraging quantity within the fish school. This system will contribute to improving foraging efficiency in fish schools, thus providing a technological foundation for enhanced feed utilization and scientific aquaculture practices.