Vitamins are essential for the metabolic processes, growth, development, immune function, and reproduction of fish. Most vitamins cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by fish, so they must be continuously supplied through their diet. While natural feed ingredients contain some vitamins, these nutrients can be degraded during storage and processing, making it difficult to meet the full nutritional requirements of fish. In low-input or extensive farming systems, fish can obtain necessary vitamins from natural food sources, mixed feeds, or single ingredients. However, as aquaculture becomes more intensive, environmental conditions deteriorate, leading to higher levels of harmful substances such as ammonia, nitrite, and hydrogen sulfide in the water—byproducts of uneaten feed and fish waste. These factors increase stress levels in fish, and high-density farming further raises the risk of disease outbreaks.
As a result, the role of vitamins goes beyond just supporting growth; they also help reduce stress and strengthen the immune system. The amount of vitamins required is inversely related to the feed conversion ratio. For instance, if the feed conversion ratio is 2, the vitamin content should be 2.5 times that of a feed with a ratio of 5. This ensures that fish receive an adequate amount of vitamins regardless of how much they consume. That’s why intensive farming systems often require additional vitamin supplementation.
The demand for vitamins in fish can be categorized into five levels: excess, immune enhancement, maximum growth, minimal satisfaction, and deficiency. Typically, standard vitamin premixes only meet the minimal satisfaction level, at best reaching the maximum growth requirement. When fish face environmental stressors or pathogenic challenges, their immune system activates, which consumes additional vitamins. This can lead to an indirect vitamin deficiency. In high-density environments with poor water quality, the need for vitamins increases significantly. By increasing certain vitamins to immune-enhancing levels, farmers can help mitigate the negative effects of intensive culture and support healthier fish production. However, over-supplementation can lead to waste and even vitamin toxicity, so balance is key.
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