Ace Aquatec Smolt Humane Culling System (HCS)

Q: Do I still need an anaesthetic?

No — the A-HCS uses in-water electrical stunning, so juveniles can be culled humanely without anaesthetics.

Q: How many fish can it handle?

The standard model processes up to 1 tonne of fish per hour, and bespoke builds are available for other species and sizes.

Q: How do the fish get into the unit?

They are pumped or brailed into the entrance chute and fall straight into the stun tube water, where the electric field acts immediately.

Q: Can the fish recover?

No — the electric field in the stun tube ensures the fish lose consciousness immediately and never recover.

Q: Can I move it between sites?

Yes — it is a self-contained unit on a wheeled frame with an integrated water pump, and it is rated for indoor and outdoor use.

Q: How does it fit our biosecurity protocols?

It is built to withstand robust biosecurity measures and has a simple cleaning and disinfection protocol to reduce disease transmission risk.

Q: How do I get a price?

Request a quote with your species, fish size, the throughput you need in tonnes per hour and where the unit will be used, and we will confirm the standard model or a bespoke build and lead time.

A transportable in-water stunner for humanely culling smolt and juvenile fish.

Categories: In-Water Stunners

Applications: Hatchery, RAS

Brand: Ace Aquatec

Ace Aquatec Smolt Humane Culling System (HCS)

Ace Aquatec Smolt Humane Culling System (HCS) - Image 2

Product Information

Key Features

Humane in-water electrical culling of smolt and juvenile fish with no anaesthetics — the same stunning technology as the Ace Aquatec A-HSU™, scaled for juvenile production
Standard model processes up to 1 tonne per hour, with bespoke builds available for other species and fish sizes
Fish are pumped or brailed into the entrance chute and fall directly into the stun tube water, where the electric field renders them unconscious immediately and they never recover
About 40 seconds from the chute to the final dewatering grid, then into a harvest tub that can be iced to preserve the fish
Self-contained unit on a wheeled frame with an integrated recirculating water pump — move it between rooms or sites as needed, indoors or outdoors
Built to withstand robust biosecurity protocols, with a simple cleaning and disinfection routine to reduce disease transmission risk
Automated touchscreen controls with configurable settings, continuous data logging and secure remote access for internal or external auditing
Choosing your model: size the unit on culling throughput in tonnes of fish per hour — the standard model handles up to 1 t/hr with a transit time of about 40 seconds. Tell us your species, fish size and the volume you need to cull in a session and we will confirm the standard model or a bespoke build.

Specifications

Specification	Detail
Standard model capacity	Up to 1 tonne of fish per hour
Fish stage	Smolt and juvenile fish
Anaesthetic required	None — in-water electrical stunning only
Time from chute to dewatering grid	About 40 seconds
Fish delivery	Pumped or brailed into the entrance chute
Discharge	Final dewatering grid into a harvest tub; ice can be used in the tub to preserve the fish
Water	Recirculated by an integrated water pump
Frame	Self-contained wheeled frame, transportable between locations
Siting	Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Biosecurity	Designed for robust biosecurity protocols; simple cleaning and disinfection
Control system	Automated, touchscreen, configurable settings
Data	Continuous data logging, secure remote adjustment, data available for internal or external auditing
Bespoke builds	Available for other fish species and sizes
Model codes, dimensions and power draw	Confirmed at quotation. Contact us for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need an anaesthetic?

How many fish can it handle?

How do the fish get into the unit?

Can the fish recover?

Can I move it between sites?

How does it fit our biosecurity protocols?

How do I get a price?

Spare Parts & Consumables

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Ace Aquatec Smolt Humane Culling System (HCS)

Product Information

Key Features

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Spare Parts & Consumables

Related Products

Ace Aquatec Humane Stunner Universal (HSU)

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