Herbs/spices as feed additive in aquaculture

Abstract

Nutrition of fish is an important consideration in fish health management of farmed finfish and shellfish. The shift in some countries from extensive to semi-intensive and intensive farming of fish demands that nutritionally complete feeds be provided by the farmer. The use of nutritionally inadequate feeds can result in reduced growth and production due to stress, but more seriously, the use of such feeds can result in loss of fish from nutritional deficiency syndromes and/or from mortality brought on by increased susceptibility of nutritionally compromised fish to infectious diseases. Medicinal plants are the main sources of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds. A large number of plants have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment and control of several diseases. The present article gives an idea about the use of medicinal plants in aquaculture.