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Fish Nutrition, Physiology and Management: Second Edition

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A Special Issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615) belonging to the section "Aquatic Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 8982

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Dr. Carlos Alfonso Alvarez-González

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Laboratorio de Fisiología en Recursos Acuáticos, División Académica de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa 86150, Mexico
Interests: fish nutrition; aquaculture; management
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to the application of nutrition, physiological studies, and management carried out on fish.

Fish constitute the most diverse and ecologically important group of vertebrates in the world and, as such, have been extensively studied to understand the basic aspects of their development and to implement industrial applications. One of the most significant applications is aquaculture, which plays an important role in promoting the consumption of highly nutritious foods among the human population. In recent decades, fish have become valuable model organisms for biotechnology research, where nutritional and physiological studies are fundamental to achieving profitable aquaculture. Thus, the knowledge acquired from morphophysiological studies, through understanding the relationships between metabolic pathways and molecular mechanisms, has been revealed through the application of omics sciences. Therefore, the analysis of physiological processes not only expands our understanding of these animals but also has important implications for basic research and its application in improving management techniques for a more efficient aquaculture industry.

Considering the success of our previous Special Issue, we are pleased to launch "Fish Nutrition, Physiology and Management: Second Edition". This Special Issue will attempt to provide information regarding the relevance of nutrition, morphological and management techniques, and their relationships with functions in fish.

In this Special Issue, original manuscripts, review articles, and short communications, alongside research with the potential for application, are particularly welcome.

You are invited to contribute to this theme or related research topics to improve the existing anatomical and physiological knowledge of fish.

Dr. Carlos Alfonso Alvarez-González
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

fish
aquaculture
production
physiology
sustainable production

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 1346 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Residue in Juvenile Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus): Effects on Growth, Antioxidant Status, Metabolism, and Whole-Body Amino Acid Profile

by Wei Pu, Youjiao Wu, Chenggui Zhang, Tingting Hu, Zhuanxing Shao, Jingjing Gao, Liyun Pu, Weile Chu and Xiaowen Long

Animals 2026, 16(15), 2398; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16152398 - 3 Aug 2026

Viewed by 362

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of post-extraction American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) residue (PAR) as a dietary feed ingredient on the growth performance, antioxidant defense, and whole-body amino acid profile of juvenile black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus). A total of 300 juvenile black carp (initial weight 17.19 ± 0.20 g) were fed five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets for 64 days. PAR was supplemented at inclusion levels of 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% (corresponding to progressive reductions in dietary fishmeal). The results showed that fish fed the diet with 5% PAR inclusion maintained growth performance and feed conversion efficiency comparable to those of the control group (p > 0.05). Thus, 5% PAR did not significantly improve growth performance, but it did not impair growth under the present experimental conditions. Moreover, 5% PAR supplementation significantly increased hepatic catalase activity and was associated with numerically higher values of several other antioxidant- and immune-related indices. PAR inclusion also increased whole-body glycine deposition, whereas high inclusion levels reduced whole-body methionine content and crude protein deposition. Dietary PAR inclusion at higher levels, especially 20%, was associated with a possible reduction in feed utilization, altered organ indices, altered serum glucose levels, suppressed hepatic transaminase activities, and changes in digestive enzyme activities. However, these responses should be interpreted as the combined outcome of ingredient substitution, amino acid imbalance, altered lipid source, possible essential fatty acid changes, chitin/fiber-like fractions, and metabolic burden, rather than as effects of chitin alone. In conclusion, 5% PAR may be a suitable practical inclusion level for juvenile black carp under the present experimental conditions, whereas excessive inclusion should be used with caution and may require amino acid balancing, improved processing, and further evaluation of dietary gross energy, fatty acid profile, and chitin content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Physiology and Management: Second Edition)

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17 pages, 4464 KB

Open AccessArticle

Physiological Effects of Dietary Protein and Its Optimal Requirement for Early Juvenile Chinese Tapertail Anchovy (Coilia nasus)

by Leimin Zhang, Xiaoru Chen, Dongyu Huang, Qunlan Zhou, Xiaodi Xu, Mingchun Ren, Lu Zhang and Hualiang Liang

Animals 2026, 16(12), 1887; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16121887 - 18 Jun 2026

Viewed by 475

Abstract

To determine the optimal dietary protein level for early juvenile Chinese tapertail anchovy (Coilia nasus, initial body weight: 0.87 ± 0.01 g), five feeds containing graded protein levels (35.42%, 39.16%, 42.96%, 46.83%, and 50.65%) were used in an eight-week feeding experiment. Results showed that the growth performance and health status of C. nasus were significantly affected by dietary protein. Compared with the 35.42% group, the 42.96% and 46.83% groups’ WGR and SGR are notably higher, and FCR is notably lower. The 46.83% group showed higher crude protein and lower crude lipid contents. The activities of CAT and SOD, and the level of T-AOC, were significantly enhanced in the 42.96% and 46.83% groups. The 42.96–50.65% groups showed significantly higher GPx activities and lower MDA levels, and GR activity was increased in the 46.83% and 50.65% groups. In addition, the 39.16–50.65% groups upregulated the expressions of il-1β and tgf-β and downregulated tnf-α. For endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis, the 42.96–50.65% groups significantly downregulated the expressions of atf4, chop, and apaf1, and the 39.16–50.65% groups upregulated cflar, bcl-2, and tradd, downregulated bax, casp9, and casp3. Quadratic regression analysis using WGR and FCR as indices showed that the optimal protein levels in feed for early juvenile C. nasus were 44.31% and 46.56%, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Physiology and Management: Second Edition)

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25 pages, 15703 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Acanthus ebracteatus (Sea Holly) Aqueous Extract as a Functional Feed Additive on Growth Performance, Immune Responses, and Hepatopancreatic Histology in Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

by Wassana Prisingkorn, Pattama Wiriyapattanasub, Prasoborn Rinthong, Phadet Hongmanee, Sutee Wongmaneeprateep, Jariyavadee Suriyaphan, Apichet Pholoeng, Worapat Horjarlearn, Kanjana Thumanu, Kanokwan Kamkajon and Eakapol Wangkahart

Animals 2026, 16(12), 1842; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16121842 - 15 Jun 2026

Viewed by 825

Abstract

Intensive shrimp aquaculture has led to increased disease outbreaks and a greater reliance on antibiotics, driving the need for sustainable alternatives. This study examined the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, and effects of Acanthus ebracteatus (AC) aqueous extract as a natural feed additive on growth performance, and health in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Phytochemical analysis of AC aqueous extracts revealed high concentrations of phenolics (162.1 ± 11.78 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (75.8 ± 2.32 mg RE/g), tannins (38.4 ± 0.78 mg TAE/g), and verbascoside (0.48 ± 0.01% w/w). Strong antioxidant capacity was confirmed with DPPH IC₅₀ of 42.6 ± 11.78 µg/mL, ABTS IC₅₀ of 2.93 ± 0.02 mg/mL, and FRAP value of 1.41 ± 0.08 mmol FeSO₄/g extract. A feeding trial was conducted over eight weeks using 300 shrimp randomly assigned to four treatments: control diet and diets supplemented with 1%, 2%, and 3% AC aqueous extract. AC 2% supplementation showed optimal results for growth performance, including improved final body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. AC 3% treatment maximally enhanced immune responses, significantly elevating catalase, lysozyme, total antioxidant capacity, and hemocyanin, and glutathione peroxidase activity showed a numerical increase in AC-supplemented groups, particularly at the 3% inclusion level, although the differences were not statistically significant. AC 2% supplementation also improved hepatopancreatic histology through oxidative stress modulation and enhanced lipid metabolism. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of AC aqueous extract by integrating phytochemical characterization, antioxidant profiling, and in vivo assessment of growth, immune response, and hepatopancreatic morphology in Pacific white shrimp. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Physiology and Management: Second Edition)

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19 pages, 4104 KB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Ochetoibus elongatus (Kner) Dietary Habits Based on Digestive System Morphology, Histology, and Intestinal Content Sequencing Technology

by Feng Gao, Zhiliang Zuo, Qifan Wu, Hewei Xiao, Zhitao Peng, Li Zou, Guomin Jiang, Xing Tian, Zhifeng Feng, Xuan Xie and Lu Tian

Animals 2026, 16(9), 1369; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16091369 - 29 Apr 2026

Viewed by 593

Abstract

Ochetobibus elongatus (Kner) is a migratory fish found in the Yangtze River basin and areas south of it, and listed as a critically endangered (CR) fish on the China Red List of Vertebrates. To achieve group recovery and artificial breeding, this study investigated the dietary characteristics of O. elongatus based on high-throughput sequencing of its intestinal contents, and its digestive system morphology, and its histology. Results showed that the digestive system of O. elongatus lacked a stomach and mainly consisted of the oropharynx, pharyngeal teeth, esophagus, intestine, and anus. The gut index was 0.88, with clear segmentation of the foregut, midgut, and hindgut, and the visceral mass index was 7.35%. Histological analysis of the digestive system revealed the presence of keratinized dental plates or pharyngeal teeth in the pharynx, as well as a high density of taste bud cells in the soft palate of the oral cavity. The surface layer of the intestinal villi contained numerous mucous cells, with the average number of mucous cells per villus gradually increasing from the esophagus to the hindgut, and the foregut having the longest and most abundant mucosal folds. The esophagus exhibited well-developed circular and longitudinal muscle layers, while in the hindgut, both the circular and longitudinal muscle layers were slightly thicker than those in the midgut. High-throughput sequencing of the intestinal contents of O. elongatus revealed the following phyla based on 18S V4 meta-barcoding: Chlorophyta, Diatoms, Arthropoda, Basidiomycetes, and Ascomycetes, with the genus Hypophthalmichthys and algae being the main classifications. In contrast, based on COI meta-barcoding, the study newly identified the phyla Cnidaria and Mollusca, with the genera Chlorophyta, Scenedesmus, Pectinodesmus, and zooplankton such as Pseudodiaptomus. Metagenomic sequencing revealed that the gut microbiota at the phylum level was predominantly composed of Pseudomonadota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Chytridiomycota, and Bacillota, with key genera including Cetobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, and Clostridium. This study indicates that O. elongatus is an omnivore with carnivorous tendencies. Basic biological research on O. elongatus is of great significance for the restoration of the population, artificial breeding, and the development of its artificially formulated feed. It also provides important data for the formulation of biodiversity conservation measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Physiology and Management: Second Edition)

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18 pages, 607 KB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Varying Dietary Lipid and Starch Levels on Growth Performance, Biochemical Components, and Hepatic Glycolipid Metabolism in Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ × E. fuscoguttatus ♀)

by Songhang Li, Kun Wang, Mengyao Chen, Yuan Li, Chong Wang, Kai Song, Yichuang Xu and Jidan Ye

Animals 2026, 16(9), 1304; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16091304 - 23 Apr 2026

Viewed by 596

Abstract

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of varying dietary lipid and starch levels on growth performance, biochemical components, and hepatic glycolipid metabolism in hybrid grouper. Nine isonitrogenous diets were formulated to contain three levels of lipid (6%, 10%, or 14%) and starch (14%, 21%, or 28%) using a 3 × 3 factorial design. Juvenile fish (initial body weight: 19.06 ± 0.03 g) were randomly allocated to 27 floating net cages (25 fish per cage, three replicates per diet) in an indoor seawater recirculation system and hand-fed to apparent satiation twice daily. Two-way ANOVA was conducted to check treatment effects of dietary lipid and starch levels. No interaction effect between lipid and starch on growth and feed utilization was observed across all treatments; however, significant interactions between the two were observed for condition factor (CF), and some serum biochemical indicators and some hepatic glycolipid metabolic enzyme activities. Growth rate, specific growth rate, and feed efficiency (FE) exhibited a declining trend with increasing dietary lipid levels (p < 0.05). Conversely, hepatosomatic index (HSI), viscerosomatic index (VSI), condition factor, hepatic lipid and glycogen contents, muscle lipid content, serum triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol contents, as well as hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT-1) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities, showed an increasing trend (p < 0.05). As lipid levels increased, serum total cholesterol (TC) and total protein (TP) contents dropped to a minimum at the intermediate lipid level (10%) and then rose, regardless of starch level. Hepatic fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP) activity increased significantly when lipid level rose from 6% to 10% (p < 0.05). With increasing dietary starch levels, HSI, VSI, hepatic and muscle glycogen contents, and serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol content increased, while FE and serum TP content decreased (p < 0.05). Hepatic CPT-1, LPL, FBP, and pyruvate kinase activities were significantly enhanced when starch levels increased from 14% to 21% or 28% (p < 0.05). Serum aspartate aminotransferase activity was significantly higher in fish fed 14% lipid compared to those fed 6% or 10% lipid. These findings indicate that there is no interaction of dietary lipid and starch on growth and feed utilization, but high dietary lipid (14%) may enhance hepatic lipid oxidation while suppressing glycolysis, thereby limiting growth and promoting hepatic lipid deposition. The results provide a practical reference for optimizing dietary lipid and starch levels in cost-effective feed formulations for hybrid grouper. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Physiology and Management: Second Edition)

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24 pages, 2277 KB

Open AccessArticle

Optimized Solid-State Fermentation of Sugar Beet Pulp with Mixed Microbes Improves Its Nutritional Value and Promotes Growth, Health, and Intestinal Function in Yellow Catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

by Ning Qiu, Tanqing Chi, Xuan Luo, Hao Yang, Chi Zhang, Hongsen Xu and Xin Liu

Animals 2026, 16(6), 915; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16060915 - 14 Mar 2026

Viewed by 1248

Abstract

The rising cost of conventional protein sources such as soybean meal has prompted the search for sustainable and economical alternatives in aquafeeds. Sugar beet pulp (SBP), an abundant by-product of the sugar industry, possesses nutritional potential but is limited by its high fiber and anti-nutritional factors. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) offers a promising approach to enhance its nutritive value and functional properties. This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of mixed microbial solid-state fermented beet pulp (FBP) on the growth, systemic health and intestinal function of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). First, orthogonal optimization determined Lactiplantibacillus plantarum:Saccharomycopsis fibuligera:Bacillus subtilis = 1:3:3 as the optimal ratio, significantly improving the nutritional profile of FBP. Based on this optimized FBP, an 8-week feeding trial, five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated by replacing 0–12% soybean meal with FBP. The results demonstrated that 9% FBP inclusion yielded optimal growth performance and significantly improved muscle texture. At the systemic level, FBP supplementation reduced serum lipid markers and liver enzyme activities while enhancing antioxidant capacity. At the intestinal level, FBP promoted intestinal health by increasing key digestive enzyme (lipase, trypsin, amylase) activities, stimulating villus development, and improving intestinal antioxidant status. Furthermore, gut microbiota analysis revealed that dietary FBP supplementation significantly modulated intestinal microbial composition, with notable enrichment of genera such as Leucobacter. In conclusion, FBP is a multi-functional ingredient that enhances growth, product quality, systemic physiology, and intestinal health in yellow catfish aquaculture. These findings provide a viable strategy for the sustainable utilization of agricultural by-products in aquafeeds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Physiology and Management: Second Edition)

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24 pages, 2634 KB

Open AccessArticle

Different Colours, Different Outcomes: Tank Colour Shapes Larval Survival, Growth, and Endocrine Response in Cichlasoma dimerus

by Agustina C. Beriotto, María P. Di Yorio, Julieta E. Sallemi, Carlos A. Alvarez-González and Paula G. Vissio

Animals 2026, 16(3), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16030466 - 2 Feb 2026

Viewed by 2305

Abstract

Early environmental conditions play a critical role in shaping fish physiology and behaviour, with tank colour emerging as a relevant yet often overlooked factor in aquaculture and experimental research. This study investigated how rearing tank colour affects larval performance in the cichlid fish Cichlasoma dimerus. Larvae were reared in white, light-blue, or grey tanks, and survival, growth, pigmentation, sex ratio, skeletal development, and the endocrine responses of somatolactin (Sl) and growth hormone (Gh) were evaluated. Survival was significantly lower in white tanks. Conversely, larvae reared in white tanks reached a higher final body weight, while total length showed a similar but non-significant trend. Gh-immunoreactive cells exhibited significantly larger nuclear areas in larvae reared in white tanks and a tendency toward smaller cytoplasmic areas compared with those from light-blue tanks. Melanophore number did not differ among treatments, whereas larvae from grey tanks showed a higher number of Sl-immunoreactive cells. Sex ratios tended to be female-biased in white tanks. Skeletal development did not differ among tank colours and followed the expected chondrogenesis and ossification sequence. Overall, tank colour influenced multiple aspects of larval development, particularly survival, growth, and endocrine responses, underscoring its relevance in fish rearing and experimental design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Physiology and Management: Second Edition)

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17 pages, 3993 KB

Open AccessArticle

Early Nutrition Impacts on Growth, Skeletal Anomalies and Organ Ontogeny in Larval Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua)

by Joana Pedro, João Henriques, Maria Bergvik, Konstantinos Tzakris, Michael Viegas, Katerina Loufi, Jorge M. O. Fernandes, Benjamín Costas, Nils Tokle and Luís E. C. Conceição

Animals 2025, 15(20), 2985; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15202985 - 15 Oct 2025

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1603

Abstract

Early life nutrition is a critical factor influencing subsequent performance and quality, including skeletal development, in farmed Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). This study investigated the effects of a novel start-feed protocol utilizing barnacle nauplii and plankton eggs and two experimental microdiets on larval survival, growth, skeletal anomalies, and organ ontogeny. Atlantic cod larvae were reared using three feeding protocols (COM, D1, and D2): COM used enriched rotifers and a commercial microdiet, while D1 and D2 protocols incorporated blue mussel eggs (Cryo-µ) and barnacle nauplii (Cryo-S, Cryo-L), followed by inert microdiets that differed in their phospholipid (PL) source (D1 richer in vegetable PL; D2 richer in marine PL). Larvae were sampled up to 66 days post hatching (dph) for morphometric, skeletal anomaly, and histological analyses. Survival averaged 21.3% and was unaffected by the diets. The control group had slightly higher standard length and dry weight at 66 dph compared to the experimental groups. However, larvae fed the D1 protocol exhibited a significantly lower overall prevalence of skeletal anomalies (52%) compared to the control group (91%). Moreover, D1 showed a lower occurrence of severe anomalies and a significantly reduced prevalence of scoliosis compared to both D2 and COM groups. Histology showed that group D1 achieved an overall accelerated organ ontogeny, with greater villi length and goblet cell abundance in the anterior intestine at 66 dph. In conclusion, the novel D1 feeding protocol, incorporating barnacle nauplii and a microdiet richer in vegetable phospholipids, enhanced larval quality by effectively reducing skeletal anomalies and accelerating internal organ development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fish Nutrition, Physiology and Management: Second Edition)

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