An overview of the importance of macroalgae in the aquaculture industry (with an emphasis on fish)

The increase in the price of fish meal as well as the decrease in its availability has led to a rapidly expanding search for suitable herbal alternatives over the years. Macroalgae are a good alternative because of its easy growing and reasonable price. Macroalgae are used as dietary supplements to enhance the health and growth and feeding performance of many species of marine and fresh water fish and ornamental fish. Most studies have reported acceptable results in using macroalgae as a relative alternative to fish meal. Meanwhile, the amount of crude protein and polysaccharides in red macrophages is higher than in other species. The results show that although the use of algae flour by up to 10 % in the culture of some species such as red seabream (Pagrus major), European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labraxa) and Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer) has increased the growth and feeding performance but using more from algae flour in the diet of some species, the difference was not observed between treatments and even had negative effects. Therefore, it seems that more research is needed in this field.