According to aquaculture best practices, should commercially produced fish feed contain vitamins and minerals?

The correct answer is that commercially produced fish feed should indeed contain vitamins and minerals. This is essential because fish, like all animals, require a balanced diet that includes a range of nutrients to support their growth, health, and overall well-being. Vitamins and minerals play critical roles in various physiological processes, including immune system function, metabolism, and energy production.

Vitamins are organic compounds that help regulate numerous body functions, while minerals are inorganic elements that contribute to structural and functional roles in the body. Both are necessary for optimal fish development and to prevent deficiencies that could lead to poor health or mortality.

Neglecting to include these crucial nutrients would mean the feed is inadequate, potentially leading to stunted growth, disease, and poor quality of fish. Therefore, best practices in aquaculture emphasize the importance of formulating feeds that are nutritionally complete, which includes a balanced composition of both vitamins and minerals.