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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stuttgart, Arkansas » Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #319097
Research Project: Developing Nutritional, Genetic, and Management Strategies to Enhance Warmwater Finfish Production

Location: Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Cntr

Title: Minerals

Author
item Webster, Carl
item LIM, CHHORN - Retired ARS Employee

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/1/2013
Publication Date: 7/17/2015
Citation: Webster, C.D., Lim, C.E. 2015. Minerals. In: Webster, C.D, Lim, C.E., editors.Dietary Nutrients, additives, and Fish Health. Hobokon, NJ: Wiley Blackwell. p. 195-210.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Over the past two decades, the aquaculture industry has expanded rapidly throughout the world and is expected to continue to grow in the years to come due to the high cost of harvesting fish from the oceans, the un-sustainability of ocean fishing methods, and the increased demand for fish as a result of rapid population growth, increased disposable income and preferences for fish over other animal protein for personal, cultural, geographic, ethnic, and health reasons. Thus, there has been an intensification to produce higher yields per unit area. Under intensive production systems, fish are exposed to numerous potential stressors which could include: poor water quality, crowding, transport and handling, and poor nutrition. These factors may directly or indirectly affect the health of the fish. It has generally been recognized that under intensive culture operations, good nutrition plays a key role in promoting good growth and maintaining health and well-being of cultured animals. Essential nutrients should be provided at adequate levels in the diets to sustain health and maintain the ability of fish to withstand stress and resist disease-causing agents. Evidence has indicated that most, if not all, essential dietary nutrients, as well as feeding practices, influence disease resistance. Dietary deficiencies of essential nutrients, such as minerals, could adversely affect the immune system. Further, addition of some minerals may increase immuno-competence of fish, making them less susceptible to diseases. This chapter will only report the general functions of minerals in fish and their effects, when added as a dietary supplement on immune response and disease resistance of aquacultured organisms and will not discuss any effects when present in the water as an environmental pollutant.