Dietary Interventions in Aquatic Animal Health

Dietary interventions encompass a broad portfolio of nutritional approaches aimed at promoting growth performance, disease resistance and physiological homeostasis in farmed aquatic animals. Central to these strategies is the optimisation of protein and lipid sources to reduce reliance on fish meal, alongside the incorporation of functional additives such as phytochemicals, probiotics and antioxidant compounds. Research has demonstrated that targeted dietary supplementation can modulate gut morphology and microbiota, bolster innate immune defences and attenuate oxidative stress. Innovative feed formulations increasingly employ agro-industrial by-products and plant extracts to enhance sustainability and lower production costs. Practical applications range from replacing traditional protein with alternative ingredients to enriching feeds with bioactive compounds that act as immunostimulants or growth promoters. Such interventions have global significance for food security and environmental stewardship, as they can improve feed efficiency, reduce waste and diminish the use of chemotherapeutants in aquatic farming. Interdisciplinary efforts are advancing the understanding of nutrient–host interactions, driving the development of customised diets that support both animal welfare and industry resilience in an era of mounting ecological and economic pressures.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Dietary Interventions in Aquatic Animal Health publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in dietary interventions in aquatic animal health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Feed conversion ratio (FCR): the amount of feed required to achieve a unit of body-weight gain.

Specific growth rate (SGR): the percentage increase in body weight per day over a feeding period.

Immunostimulant: a dietary compound that enhances the innate immune response of aquatic animals.

Antioxidant enzymes: molecules such as superoxide dismutase and catalase that protect cells from oxidative damage.

Phagocytic activity: the process by which immune cells engulf and destroy pathogens.

References

1. Exploring the Nutritional Potential of Spent Coffee Grounds as a Substitute for Rice Bran in Feeds for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus: An Evaluation of Growth Performance and Biological Indices. Aquaculture Nutrition (2024).
2. The Dietary Effects of Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) Extract on Growth, Hematological Parameters, Immunity, Antioxidant Status, and Disease Resistance of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) against Aeromonas hydrophila. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (2022).
3. Antioxidant, Immunostimulant, and Growth-Promoting Effects of Dietary Annona squamosa Leaf Extract on Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, and Its Tolerance to Thermal Stress and Aeromonas sobria Infection. Animals (2023).