Carotenoids as a Dietary Supplement for Enhancing Pigmentation and Colouration in Ornamental Fishes: A Review

Abstract

Due to the rising demand for aquarium fish, the ornamental fish-keeping business has significantly increased its contribution to fisheries. The sector requires little investment and is socially and environmentally acceptable. Fish's skin colour, which is influenced by their diet and nutrition, is a major determinant of their market value. Fish have vivid colouring because they consume plants and animals that are naturally rich in pigment. Dietary carotenoids and coloration are intimately connected. Carotenoids are the major natural pigments, responsible for yellow to red coloration and are synthesized mainly by plants, algae and some photosynthetic bacteria. The core component of a successful culture of ornamental fish in a limited environment is properly formulated feed. Fish cannot produce carotenoids by own. Hence, diverse sources of carotenoid pigments, including pure carotenoid pigments, animal sources, and plant sources, have been added to fish diets to increase the pigmentation in ornamental fish. The significance of different sources of carotenoids as a dietary supplement for enhancing the pigmentation and coloration in aquaculture has been highlighted in this review paper.