QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE NUTRIENT REQUIREMENTS OF 



FISHES: A REVIEW 1 



Mark R. Millikin 2 



ABSTRACT 



Qualitative and quantitative protein, amino acid, lipid, fatty acid, carbohydrate, vitamin, and min- 

 eral requirements are summarized for salmonids and warmwater fish species. Special emphasis is 

 placed upon amino acid, vitamin, and mineral requirements of fishes, since recent research with 

 these nutrients has contributed to a better understanding of fish physiology and nutritional require- 

 ments. Protein requirements of fishes briefly stated are as follows: 30 to 55% dietary protein depen- 

 dent upon age and feeding habit and dietary essential amino acids which include arginine, histidine, 

 isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Dietary 

 lipid concentrations as high as 12 to 24% have demonstrated sparing action of protein for growth 

 rather than energy utilization in fishes. Essential fatty acids for fishes usually include linolenic acid 

 or an elongated form in the <u3 fatty acid family, while some fish species appear to derive nutritional 

 benefit from linoleic acid. Vitamins required by fishes in the diet include thiamine, riboflavin, 

 pyridoxine, niacin, pantothenic acid, ascorbic acid, choline, folic acid, cyanocobalamin, biotin, 

 inositol, vitamin A. cholecalciferol, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Minerals required in thediet of fishes 

 include phosphorus, magnesium, and trace amounts of manganese, zinc, iron, copper, selenium, and 

 iodine. Carbohydrate is an important dietary energy source for herbivorous and omnivorous species 

 and can be incorporated into diets of carnivorous species for protein sparing action at slightly higher 

 concentrations than those occurring in their natural diets. 



A paucity of information exists concerning qualitative and quantitative nutrient requirements of 

 various life stages of several species currently reared in large quantities in fish hatcheries. Inter- 

 actions of various macronutrients and micronutrients as related to artificial diet formulation for 

 fish culture are also discussed. Additionally, recommendations for future research are outlined. 



Determination of nutrient requirements for fish- 

 es fed formulated diets has contributed to health- 

 ier, more rapidly growing fishes cultured in 

 hatcheries and commercial facilities. For in- 

 stance, formulated diets designed specifically 

 for several salmonid species and channel catfish, 

 Ictalurus punctatus, have been instrumental in 

 the recent growth of salmon, trout, and catfish 

 commercial culture. Recent production values of 

 catfish, trout, and salmon by aquaculture in the 

 United States are listed in Table 1. Information 

 has also been gained on many physiological simi- 

 larities and differences between fishes and other 

 aquatic and terrestrial species. 



Reviews dealing with nutrient requirements 

 of fishes include those by Halver (1972a) and the 

 National Research Council (1973, 1977, 1981). 

 Halver (1972a) dealt with macro- and micronu- 

 trient requirements of fishes, known and pro- 



Table 1.— United States aquaculture production of cat- 

 fish, trout, and salmon. 1979 and 1980. ' 



'Contribution No. 82-13C, Southeast Fisheries Center, Na- 

 tional Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, Charleston, S.C. 



Southeast Fisheries Center Charleston Laboratory, Na- 

 tional Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, P.O. Box 12607 

 Charleston, SC 29412. 



'Adapted from Thompson (1981) Data represent live weight har- 

 vest for consumption. Excluded are eggs, fingerlings. and other in- 

 termediate products. 



posed biochemical pathways in fishes, feed for- 

 mulation strategy, fish cultural practices, and 

 feeding aspects of fish culture. However, since 

 this thorough description of nutrient require- 

 ments of fishes, much additional information has 

 been gained on fish nutrition. Synopses have 

 been compiled of chemical composition of feed 

 ingredients commonly used in formulated fish 

 feeds, recommended test diet ingredient com- 

 position for determination of nutrient require- 

 ments of fishes, and feed formulation strategies 

 on use of various combinations of protein or lipid 

 sources (National Research Council 1973, 1977, 

 1981). Brief reviews of qualitative and quantita- 



Manuscript accepted April 1982. 



FISHERY BULLETIN: VOL 80. NO. 4. 1982. 



655 



