Aquafeeds are the primary ingredients
in fish feed. They are essential for the nutrition of aquatic animals and
plants. Many commercially available feed contain plant-based ingredients as
well as marine animals. They also contain de-oiled cakes, meals, beans, brans,
and animal-processing by-products. The nutrients and vitamins found in the
feeds help keep fish healthy and strong. The nutritional composition of feedvaries
by species. Some of the ingredients used in aquafeeds
include plant and animal proteins. The main sources of these compounds are fish
meal and fish oil. However, these sources are becoming scarce and
unsustainable, so more sustainable alternatives are needed. Insects are
considered a sustainable alternative. This is especially true when compared to
their high-value protein content. Insects are a highly beneficial ingredient
for aquatic animals. These products can help to improve the health of the
livestock.
They are largely based on fishmeal,
but other protein sources, including vegetables and legumes, are also
available. Lipids, or fats, comprise approximately 15-30% of the feed. The fats
and oils are considered to provide two to three times more energy per gram of
protein than proteins. Typically, the lipids are extracted from fish, though
alternative sources can be found.
Using these ingredients to feed
aquatic animals is an increasingly popular option, which impacts the efficiency
of feed ingredient selection, as well as the flexibility of different
approaches to meet nutritional requirements. These characteristics are critical
to the efficiency of production and management of aquatic animals, and
embracing these changes requires a collaborative approach to address the
issues.
Sustainable aquafeeds are
increasingly available to meet the needs of global aquaculture while minimizing
the environmental footprint of fish farming. They must include a balanced
mixture of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Traditional
carnivorous fish diets have been made up of 70 percent or more fishmeal. The
use of alternatives continues to grow, and researchers are discovering new
combinations of ingredients that achieve the same balance of 40 essential
nutrients.