Best Choice
Peristaltic (Hose) Pump
The hose is the only wetted part, so whole fish and shrimp pass through intact. Handles ice, scales, and abrasion, and self-primes for intermittent offloading.
Resources — Pump Selection
Short answer: a peristaltic (hose) pump. Here's why it beats the alternatives for moving whole fish, shrimp, and shellfish without damage — and when a different pump makes sense.
The Short Answer
For moving whole fish, shrimp, and shellfish, the best pump is a peristaltic (hose) pump. Because the hose is the only wetted part — no impellers, seals, or valves in the flow path — product passes through intact, and the design shrugs off ice, scales, and abrasives. Enviroflex peristaltic pumps handle this duty from small transfers up to pumping fish heads in fish oil plants.
Why It Wins
The reason comes down to what touches the product. In a peristaltic pump, a rotor squeezes a flexible hose to push product along, so the only surface the fish or shrimp ever contacts is the smooth inside of the hose. There is no impeller to strike it, no seal to catch it, and no tight clearance to crush it.
That matters because whole fish and shrimp are graded on appearance and integrity. A pump that bruises, breaks, or shreds product drops its value directly. The peristaltic pump moves it gently at low speed, then reverts to shape to self-prime for the next cycle — ideal for intermittent offloading from trawlers, totes, and chill tanks.
The Alternatives
The honest ranking. Because IPE carries every one of these, there's no reason to oversell the wrong one.
The hose is the only wetted part, so whole fish and shrimp pass through intact. Handles ice, scales, and abrasion, and self-primes for intermittent offloading.
Better suited to fillets, portions, and whole-muscle than raw whole fish — it holds cut-product shape where a hose pump would be overkill.
The right call for offal, trimmings, and mixed solids rather than premium whole product — it passes chunky waste and runs dry safely.
Efficient for brine and water, but the spinning impeller shears and shreds whole fish and shrimp. Keep it to process water and CIP, not product.
Before You Buy
The Equipment
The seal-less workhorse for whole fish and shrimp — hose pumps from 3/8" to 6", plus AODD pumps for offal and waste.
View the Enviroflex line →
When the product is fillets or portions rather than whole fish, twin-piston systems hold shape and particle integrity.
View the Marlen line →
Related: Peristaltic pump guide → | AODD pump guide → | Seafood processing →
Questions
What is the best pump for whole fish?
A peristaltic (hose) pump. The hose is the only wetted part, so there are no impellers or seals to bruise or break whole fish, and the design handles ice, scales, and abrasives. Enviroflex peristaltic pumps are built for this duty.
Will a pump damage whole fish or shrimp?
A peristaltic pump will not, because product only contacts the smooth inside of the hose. A centrifugal pump will, because its spinning impeller shears and shreds whole product. Matching the pump type is what protects the fish.
Can you pump fish in ice or refrigerated seawater (RSW)?
Yes. Peristaltic pumps handle ice slurry and refrigerated seawater well, and the hose tolerates the cold and the abrasion from ice and scales.
Peristaltic or AODD for seafood?
Peristaltic for whole and delicate product, because it is the gentlest option. AODD for offal, trimmings, and mixed waste, where passing solids and running dry matter more than protecting whole pieces.
What pump should I use for fish fillets or portions instead of whole fish?
Twin-piston systems, such as Marlen's, hold the shape and particle integrity of fillets and portions. Peristaltic pumps still work well for gentle transfer of cut product.
How do I size a pump for pumping fish?
Describe the product, flow rate, whether it travels in ice or RSW, and the distance and lift, and IPE will size the right pump. Call 206-790-0775, email [email protected], or use the quote form.
Tell us the product, flow, and process step, and IPE will recommend and size the right pump.
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