Nutrition and feeding

Information relating to nutrition and feeding in aquaculture.

Creative Commons Attribution.

Related

Subject tags

A collection of subject tags relating to technical matters.

In this collection

Aquaculture Asia Magazine, April-June 2025

In this issue:

  • From risk to resilience: Innovative crop insurance solutions for securing shrimp aquaculture in India
  • Efforts to rejuvenate primary fisher cooperative societies in South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal
  • Captive production of Gangetic mystus (Mystus cavasius): A guide for farmers
  • Shrimp farm biosecurity in Saudi Arabia: A journey from past practices to future vision
  • Wolffia globosa (duckweed) in aquafeeds for profitability and eco-friendly sustainable aquaculture
  • NACA Newsletter

Wolffia globosa (duckweed) in aquafeeds for profitability and ecofriendly sustainable aquaculture

The increasing demand for cost-effective and sustainable aquafeeds has prompted interest in alternative protein sources to replace fishmeal. Wolffia globosa (duckweed), is a fast-growing, rootless duckweed with high protein content and favorable nutrient composition, offers significant potential as a feed ingredient in aquaculture. Studies conducted at the College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University in Tripura, India, demonstrated the feasibility of using Wolffia as a primary feed for rohu fry, yielding promising growth and health outcomes comparable to those achieved with conventional formulated feeds.

Beyond its nutritional value, Wolffia contributes to environmental sustainability through phytoremediation, improving water quality in aquaculture systems, and reducing the reliance on fishmeal and chemical fertilisers. Challenges remain, particularly due to anti-nutritional factors common in plant-based feeds, but these can be mitigated through thermal and enzymatic treatments. With proper processing, Wolffia globosa emerges as a viable, eco-friendly protein source for aquaculture, supporting both profitability and environmental stewardship.

Aquaculture Asia Magazine, January-March 2025

In this issue:

  • Promoting farmed shrimp consumption in India’s domestic market: A step towards sustainability
  • Leveraging indigenous minor carp for sustainable aquaculture in Northeast India
  • Shaping the future of Indian aquaculture: A path to captive catfish seed success
  • Sustainable freshwater snail farming: Advancing nutrition security and rural livelihoods in Northeast India
  • Promotion and protection of small fish species through farming: An initiative in Tripura
  • NACA Newsletter

Aquaculture Asia Magazine, October-December 2024

In this issue:

  • Some practices and techniques in cost-effective small and medium-scale aquaculture in West Bengal
  • Food and feeding habits of some peninsular carps
  • Inland saline aquaculture: Prospects and challenges
  • A success story of freshwater prawn farming as an alternative livelihood for self-help and user groups in Mayurbanja District, Odisha, India
  • NACA Newsletter

Food and feeding habits of some peninsular carps

Carps are a vital component of global freshwater fish production, particularly in India, where both Indian major carps and indigenous species contribute to aquaculture. This study reviews the food and feeding habits of select peninsular carps, highlighting their potential for aquaculture diversification and biodiversity conservation. Indigenous species such as Hypselobarbus pulchellus, Barbodes carnaticus, Labeo fimbriatus, Labeo kontius, and Tor khudree demonstrate adaptability to natural productivity, reducing reliance on artificial feeds. Gut content analyses reveal dietary patterns ranging from herbivory to omnivory, with species consuming vascular plants, algae, molluscs, and insects. Feeding behavior varies across life stages, with juveniles relying on zooplankton and diatoms, while adults shift to macrophytes and benthic organisms. Integrating these species into polyculture systems could enhance aquaculture efficiency and support conservation efforts for threatened endemic fish.