Nutrient Requirements in Diets: Fundamental Issues in Sustainable Aquaculture Development

Abstract

The dietary requirements for essential nutrients serve as fundamental guidelines for formulating animal feeds. Insufficient intake of these nutrients can lead to biological issues, while excessive intake can result in economic inefficiencies and environmental harm. Despite their importance, these dietary requirements have not been consistently determined or reported, with data often varying across different sources, even within the same species. This paper critically examines the mechanisms behind these inconsistencies and proposes several strategies to address them. Although the primary focus is on dietary phosphorus in fish nutrition, the concepts discussed may also be relevant to other nutrients and animal species.