Designing and modeling an intelligent system for managing the distribution and scheduling of farmed fish feed using the Arduino Uno microcontroller

Introduction: One of the vital activities in the economic and environmental sector of the country is fish farming, which requires precise management for optimal efficiency and profitability. The distribution and timing of feeding are crucial aspects influencing the productivity and profitability of fish farming. In this regard, an intelligent system has been designed to automatically distribute the fish feed and provide an ideal schedule for fish nutrition. This system utilizes advanced technologies such as programmable control systems and precise distribution mechanisms to improve issues related to manual fish feeding. By the Arduino output components, the system injects feed into the aquaculture environment using mechanisms like servo motors. Additionally, the system has the capability to adjust the feeding schedule based on the nutritional needs of the fish, enhancing efficiency and minimizing the need for human intervention. This system assists fish farm managers in automating and efficiently managing the feeding operations, ultimately leading to improvements in the quality and quantity of their fish production.
Materials and methods: The main components of the fish feed distribution and scheduling system consist of three essential elements: the Arduino Uno board, serving as a programmable platform; a servo motor with a single output shaft capable of positioning itself at a specific angle by receiving encoded signals; and a feeder, functioning as a storage and dispensing container for fish feed in the aquaculture system. The system operates by the Arduino board, utilizing pre-stored code, and making decisions based on predetermined time intervals between feeding sessions. These decisions include the timing and quantity of the feed, planned according to the fish type. In this system, at the specified time, the Arduino board sends a command to activate the servo motor. Upon activation, the gears of the servo motor rotate in four different positions, determined by the set time for the feeding session, causing the feeder connected to the motor to rotate. Consequently, the feed is uniformly distributed across the pond's surface.
Results and discussion: In the realm of fish farming, one of the main challenges is the efficient and effective management of fish nutrition. Traditional methods of nutritional management, reliant on human labor, result in human errors and uneven food distribution, jeopardizing the health and growth of fish. These methods require time-consuming planning and can lead to issues such as water pollution, disease outbreaks, and increased costs due to overfeeding or underfeeding. To address these challenges, this study proposes an intelligent feeding and scheduling system using the Arduino microcontroller. This automated system offers balanced food distribution, precise timing and frequency of feeding, and control over the amount of consumed food. By setting accurate feeding times based on fish type and preventing food wastage, the system enhances the performance of fish feeding. Leveraging its strengths, including cost-effectiveness, high precision in feeding, optimal management of feed rations, and easy accessibility, this system is practically applicable in fish farms and ponds.
Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, the intelligent fish-feeding device can bring significant improvements in nutritional efficiency, growth, and health of fish and enhances the performance of fish-feeding systems, contributing to the improvement of fish farming conditions and increasing profitability in the aquaculture industry.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Funding: This study has received no funding from any organizations.