Nutritional Precision in Aquaculture: Tailoring Threonine Intake to the Growth and Health Needs of Fish
Asra Imtiyaz Mattoo
Department of Fisheries Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
Malik Wasim Mushtaq
*
Department of Fish Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
Darve Sabina Iqbal
Department of Fisheries Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
Farooz Ahmad Bhat
Department of Fisheries Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
Tasaduq Hussain Shah
Department of Fisheries Resource Management, Faculty of Fisheries, SKUAST-Kashmir, Srinagar, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Threonine, an essential amino acid, plays a vital role in promoting growth, maintaining health, and enhancing the overall performance of fish in aquaculture. Different fish species require varying amounts of threonine due to their unique physiological and metabolic characteristics. An adequate supply of threonine is necessary for protein, mucin, and antibody synthesis that are key components that support growth and immune response. This amino acid also contributes to intestinal integrity, improves nutrient absorption, and helps reduce oxidative stress. Determining the precise threonine needs of each fish species is important for achieving better growth rates, efficient feed utilization, and stronger disease resistance. A deficiency in threonine can result in stunted growth, poor fillet quality, and higher vulnerability to infections. Therefore, incorporating the correct threonine levels in formulated diets is essential for enhancing fish productivity and sustaining aquaculture operations. Species-specific dietary formulations that meet threonine requirements can significantly improve fish production efficiency and contribute to long-term food security.
Keywords: Aquaculture, growth, dietary-threonine, amino-acids, fish