Mineral Requirements of Fish
Minerals are a type of basic elements. Mineral elements are the inorganic elements that are required for the management and maintenance of important physiological processes in the organism. Some important minerals are Calcium, Phosphorus, Sodium, Sulfur etc. Minerals act as biological catalysts for enzymes, hormones and protein in the body.
About 23 types of inorganic minerals perform the necessary functions in the organism. Of these, 7 are the minerals that the body needs in sufficient amount and such minerals are referred to as macro-elements. On the other hand, 16 minerals are required in very small amounts in the body of the organism; such minerals are called micro-elements or Trace Minerals.
Secondary elements play a major role in the nutrition and production of fish along with other minerals. Supplemental food and water serve as a source of fish minerals. Fish can absorb these elements as ions with the help of gills and skin. Rui fish(Labeo rohita) get essential minerals from plankton and pond bottom animals and decomposed organic matter. In the absence of such elements, the growth of fish is reduced or diseases are caused by pests, their high presence also hinders the growth rate of fish. Fish not only absorb such inorganic nutrients through food but also from the external aquatic environment. Inorganic elements are inextricably linked with the way fish live.
General Functions of Minerals
Minerals play a role in regulating physiological functions and the maintenance the body of the organism. It plays the following role:
Classification of Minerals
Not all minerals are needed in the same amount in a fish diet. Minerals are mainly divided into the following two groups based on the amount of organisms needed.
1. Macro Elements: The minerals that are needed in large quantities for the normal growth of fish are called the main minerals or macro elements. Generally, 100 mg or more of these minerals are required in every kg of fish diet. There are 7 main minerals for fish such as Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium. Potassium, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Chlorine.
2. Micro Elements: For normal growth of fish, some minerals are required in very small amounts in the body of fish i.e. less than 100 mg per kg of balanced diet of fish and this small amount meets the nutritional needs of fish, such minerals are called secondary minerals or micro lements. There are 16 such minerals which are required in very small amounts in the body of the organism such as iron, iodine, copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt, molybdenum, silicon etc.
The following table lists the important major and minor mineral elements:
Macro Elements | Micro Elelents |
---|---|
Calcium (Ca) Phosphorus (P) | Iron (Fe) Chromium(Cr) |
Macro Elements
Calcium(Ca)
Calcium is a chemical mineral and has atomic number of 20. Calcium is found in the skeletons and scales of bony fish. It plays a role in regulating various physiological processes such as metabolism, nerve and muscle contraction and osmosis. Calcium is absorbed directly through the gastrointestinal tract, gills, skin and fins, and oral epithelium with the effectiveness of vitamin D3 and lactose. In freshwater fish, most of the calcium is absorbed through the gills and skin, and in marine fish it is absorbed through drinking water. Calcium intake varies due to differences in species and water chemistry. The required calcium intake of eel and carp is 0.34 percent.
Sources of Calcium
- Limestone
- Shell of snails and oysters
- Crushed bones
- Crab crushed
- Rocky phosphate (30-40%)
- Shrimp meal
- Fish meal
- Meat meal
- Kelp meal
- Alfalfa meal
- Poultry droppings
- Dry skim milk
Biological Function of Calcium
Calcium is directly involved in the development and formation of bones. It also plays an important role in a variety of physiological functions. Below are some important roles of calcium:
Phosphorus
It is a nucleic acid and an important component of the cell membrane. Phosphorus is a nonmetallic chemical mineral with atomic number of 15. It directly participates in cellular reactions in all types of energy production. It contributes to the metabolism of sugars, lipids and amino acids. Phosphorus is also found in skeletons and scales of bony fish. It acts as a component of different types of metabolic reactions and different types of molecules such as ATPase. Dissolved phosphorus is absorbed directly through the skin, fins and gills. Water usually contains very little phosphorus. Therefore, supplementary food plays an important role in filling the phosphorus deficiency. Vegetable foods such as cereals and oilseeds contain 50-60% phosphorus which is present as calcium or magnesium salts of phytic acid.
Sources of Phosphorus
- Limestone
- Bone meal
- Meat meal
- Fish meal
- Poultry droppings
- Rice husk,
- Wheat husk
- Yeast
- Sunflower Seed meal
- Cotton seed meal
- Rape seed meal
Biological functions of Phosphorus
The main biological functions of phosphorus are mentioned below:
Deficiency Signs of Phosphorus
Magnecium
It is a chemical mineral with atomic number of 12. It regulates the activity of important biological polyphosphate compounds such as ATP, DNA, and RNA and acts as a cofactor in a variety of enzymatic reactions. It plays an important role in respiratory adaptation of freshwater fish. It is absorbed directly through the digestive tract, gills, skin and fins. It is found in phytin (Ca or Mg salt of phytic acid) in vegetable foods along with calcium and phosphorus.
Sources of Magnecium
- Meat and bone meal
- Rice husk
- Kelp meal
- Sunflower Seed meal
- Wheat husk
- Tishi seed meal
- Shrimp meal
- Cotton seed meal
- Crab crushed
- Grass chicken droppings
Biological functions of Magnecium
The main biological functions of magnesium are mentioned below:
Deficiency Signs of Magnecium
Sodium
It is a chemical mineral element with atomic number of 11. Sodium is the monovalent ion of extracellular fluid. It is found in the bloodstream and 93% of the total ions are sodium ions. It regulates osmotic pressure and pH levels. This material is absorbed directly through the alimentary canal, gills, skin and fins.
Sources of Sodium
- Shrimp meal
- Fish meal
- Meat meal
- Bone meal
- Molasses
- Alfalfa meal
- Wheat husk
- Rice husk
- Cotton seed meal
- Soybean meal
- Sunflower Seed meal
- Salt
Biological Functions of Sodium
Deficiency signs of Sodium
Potassium
Potassium is a chemical mineral and its atomic number is 19. It plays role in activating all the functions of the cells of the organism. It helps in nerve stimulation in the organism and without it, the heart cannot function properly. Potassium is the main positive ion of intracellular fluid and is absorbed directly through the digestive tract, gills, skin and fins. It also meets the needs of fish through supplementary food.
Sources of Potassium
- Shrimp meal
- Fish meal
- Meat meal
- Bone meal
- Molasses
- Wheat husk
- Rice bran
- Cotton seed meal
- Soybean meal
- Sunflower seed meal
- Potassium chloride
Biological Functions of Potassium
Chlorine
Chlorine is a chemical mineral with atomic number of 18. It is the main monovalent negative ion of extracellular fluid. It makes up 65% of the total negative ions in blood cells and other extracellular fluids. This material is absorbed directly through the digestive tract, gills, skin and fins when dissolved in water. In addition, the fish get it through supplemental food.
Sources of Chlorine
- Shrimp meal
- Fish meal
- Meat meal
- Bone meal
- Molasses
- Wheat bran
- Rice bran
- Cotton seed meal
- Soybean meal
- Sunflower Seed meal
- Rape seed meal
- Potassium chloride
Biological Functions of Chlorine
Deficiency Signs of Chlorine
Sulfur
It is a chemical mineral and has atomic number of 16. It is found in essential amino acids such as methionine and non-essential amino acids such as cysteine, cysteine and taurine. It is also found in vitamins thiamine and biotin. It plays a role in the production of bile for digestion. It is absorbed directly through the digestive tract, gills, skin and fins.
Sources of Sulfur
- Fish meal
- Kelp meal
- Eggs
- Feather meal etc.
Biological Functions of Sulfur
Deficiency Signs of Sulpher
Micro Element
Iron(Fe)
Iron is a chemical mineral with atomic number of 26. Iron is an essential element of cellular respiration. It participates in cellular respiration through oxidation and deoxidation and electron transfer. It is present in the body as complex compounds with proteins such as hemoglobin (hemoglobin and myoglobin), heme enzymes (eg. cytochrome, catalase). Iron adequacy and absorption are affected by phosphorus, calcium, phytate, copper and zinc. It is absorbed directly through the digestive tract, gills, skin and fins. The amount of iron required for catfish is 30 mg / kg of food.
Sources of Iron
- Bone meal
- Sunflower Seed meal
- Alfalfa meal
- Crab crushed
- Fish meal
- Poultry droppings
- Yeast
- Molasses
- Rice bran
Biologicl Functions of Iron
Deficiency Signs of Iron
Zinc(Zn)
It is a chemical mineral and has atomic number of 30. Fish usually absorb zinc from water and supplements. It is absorbed directly through the digestive tract, gills, skin and fins. The presence of zinc in the diet is influenced by phytate, phosphorus, calcium and copper.
Sources of zinc
- Fish meal
- Chicken excrement
- Wheat bran
- Wheat husk
- Rice husk
- Crab crushed
- Sunflower seed meak
- Yeast
- Cattle excrement etc.
Biological Function of zinc
Deficiency signs of Zinc
- Aversion to food
- Decreasing the growth rate
- Skin and fins erosion
- Dwarfism
- Higher mortality
- Decreased immunity
- Bone loss
- Decreased egg production etc.
Manganese(Mn)
Manganese is a chemical mineral. Its atomic number is 25. It is not found in nature as a free ingredient but is found simultaneously with calcium. It is absorbed in the digestive tract, gills, fins and skin through the dissolved state of water. Its adequacy and absorption are affected by phytate and calcium.
Sources of Manganese
- Kelp meal
- Rice husk
- Dry excrement of ducks
- Palm fronds
- Crab crushed
- Wheat husk
- Dry excrement of cattle
- Molasses
- Mustard oil cake meal
- Rape seed meal
- Sesame seed meal
- Sun flower seed meal
- Shrimp meal etc.
Biological Function of Manganese
Deficiency Signs of Manganese
Copper (Cu)
Copper is a chemical mineral with atomic number of 29. It is a flexible metal rich in high heat and electrical conductivity. It is absorbed into the digestive tract, gills, fins and skin through water. Its adequacy and absorption are affected by phytate, zinc, iron, molybdenum, cadmium, inorganic sulfate and calcium carbonate.
Sources of Copper
- Molasses
- Soybean meal
- Crab crushed
- Cotton seed meal
- Poultry droppings
- Fish meal
- Maize meal
Biological Functions of Copper
Deficiency Signs of Copper
Cobalt (Co)
Cobalt is a chemical mineral with atomic number of 27. It is the active ingredient of cobalamin or vitamin B12 which is essential for all kinds of animals. The adequacy and absorption of cobalt is affected by iodine levels. It is absorbed in the digestive tract, gills, fins and skin through the dissolved state of water.
Sources of Cobalt
- Fish meal
- Rape seed meal
- Meat meal
- Cotton seed meal
- Soybean meal
- Coconut curnels etc.
Biological Functions of Cobalt
Deficiency Signs of Cobalt
Iodine (I)
Iodine is a chemical mineral with atomic number of 53. It regulates the normal metabolism of cells. Fish absorb dissolved water through the digestive tract, gills, fins and skin. Fish also get the necessary iodine through supplemental food. Adequacy and absorption of iodine is affected by cobalt levels
Sources of Iodine
- Sea weed meal
- Marine fish meal
- Marine crustacean meal
Biological Functions of Iodine
Deficieny Signs of Iodine
Selenium(Se)
It is a chemical mineral with atomic number of 34. It is needed in very small amounts in the body of the animal which keeps the cell tissue activity active but if taken in large quantities, poisoning occurs in the animal body. Dissolved selenium is absorbed by water through the digestive tract, gills, fins and skin. Fish also get the required selenium through supplemental food.
Sources of Selenium
- Fish meal
- Rape seed meal
- Meat meal
- Alfalfa meal
- Dry poultry droppings
- Maize meal
- Wheat bran
- Feather meal
- Yeast
Biological Functions of Selenium
Deficiency Signs of Selenium
Chromium (Cr)
Chromium is a chemical mineral and its atomic number is 24. It contributes to the metabolism of glucose, carbohydrates and lipids. Animals need a very small amount (trace amount) but if they take more than they need, poisoning occurs in the body. Fish absorb selenium dissolved in water through the digestive tract, gills, fins and skin. Fish also get the required selenium through supplemental food.
Sources of Chromium
- Shellfish meal
- Liver
- Dried poultry droppings
- Artemia
- Shrimp meal
- Yeast
Biological Functions of Chromium
Deficiency Signs of Chromium
Table: Sources of minerals, metabolic functions, deficiency symptoms and required levels at a glance
Name of Minerals | Sources | Metabolic functions | Deficiency symptoms | Required dose / kg in dry food |
---|---|---|---|---|
Calcium | Limestone, oyster shells, bone meal, shrimp shells | Forming fish bones and shrimp shells, helping blood to coagulate, activating catalysts. | Decreased physical growth, reluctance to eat, bone decay | 5 gm |
Phosphorous | Fish meal, Rice bran, Bone meal, Dried poultry droppings | Fish bone and shell formation, energy conversion, accelerating metabolism, controlling the body's acid-base balance. | Decreased physical growth, reluctance to eat, bone decay | 7 gm |
Magnecium | Rice bran, meat meal, crab crushed, Dried chicken droppings, seasame seed meal, sunflower seed meal | Fish and shrimp shell formation, catalytic activation, regulation of body acid-base balance and acceleration of metabolism. | Decreased physical growth, reluctance to eat, bone loss | 500 mg |
Sulfur | Fish meal, Eggs | An important component of amino acids, resistant to toxins in the body of fish, plays a role as a component of organic matter. | Skin problems, muscle inflammation, blood circulation is disrupted | 3-5 gm |
Iron | Blood meal, Bone meal, Dried poultry droppings, Crab crushed, Coconut cornels, sunflower seed meal, Alfalfa meal, kelp meal | The main components of blood such as hemoglobin, myoglobin production, oxygen supply to different parts of the body, essential elements of catalysts, lipid oxidation, cytochrome and other enzyme production. | Anemia, decreased physical growth, reluctance to eat. | 50-70 mg |
Zinc | Fish meal, Poultry droppings, Wheat husk, Sunflower seed mael | Metabolism of lipids, proteins and sugars, important components of metallic catalysts, co-regulators of catalysts, synthesis of nucleic acid metabolism, inhibition of virus attack, increase in antibody production, co-role of hormones. | Loss of appetite, fins and skin decay, dwarfism, increased mortality, bone loss, decreased egg production, decreased physical growth, etc. | 10-100 mg |
Cobalt | Fish meal, Meat meal, Coconut cornels, cotton seed meals, Rape seed meal, Soybean meal | Vitamin B12 synthesis, formation of red blood cells, maintenance of nerve cells, activation of catalysts of various enzyme systems. | Anemia, Decreased physical growth, Impaired reproduction, Neurological weakness | 4-10 mg |
Sodium | Kelp meal, shrimp meal, fish meal, meat meal, bone meal, Molasses, Alfalfa meal. Yeast, Wheat husk, Rice bran, Cotton seed meal, Sunflower seed meal, peanut or nut meal, Rape seed meal, salt and potassium chloride. | Acid-base equilibrium control, osmosis control | Loss of appetite, reluctance to eat, drowsiness, muscle contractions etc. | 1-3 mg |
Chlorine | Kelp meal, shrimp meal, fish meal, meat meal, bone meal, Molasses, Alfalfa meal. Yeast, Wheat husk, Rice bran, Cotton seed meal, Sunflower seed meal, peanut or nut meal, Rape seed meal, salt and potassium chloride. | Controlling digestive juices production, controlling acid-base balance | Normal growth is lost, aversion to food, bone loss | 1-5 gm |
Potassium | Kelp meal, shrimp meal, fish meal, meat meal, bone meal, Molasses, Alfalfa meal. Yeast, Wheat husk, Rice bran, Cotton seed meal, Sunflower seed meal, peanut or nut meal, Rape seed meal, salt and potassium chloride. | Playing a role in the functioning of the nervous system, controlling osmosis | Decreased physical growth, aversion to food, imbalance etc. | 1-3 gm |
Copper | Whaet bran, Rice bran, Cotton seed meal, Soybean meal, Fish meal | Ingredients of hemocyanin (cephalopod), tyrosinease and ascorbic acid as cofactors of oxidase | Decreased physical growth, blindness, | 1-4 gm |
Manganese | Rice bran, Kelp meal, Crab crushed, Wheat husk, Dried poultry droppings | Cofactors of arginase and other metabolic enzymes, bone formation and red blood cell formation, epithelial tissueformation and maintenance, sugar metabolism, amino acid metabolism etc. | Decreased physical growth, loss of appetite or loss of appetite, imbalance, dwarfism, abnormal growth of tail fin, increased mortality, blindness, etc. | 20-50 mg |
Iodine | Marine fish meal, Sea weed meal | Ingredients of thyroxine hormone, reproduction, growth and replenishment, help in blood supply to the body, control of all metabolic functions in the body, control of oxygen consumption | Thiroid hyperplasia | 100-300 mg |
Molybdenum | Fish meal, cotton seed meal, Yeast, Bone meal | Acts as a cofactor of xanthine, oxidase hydrogenase and reductase | Decreased physical growth, reluctance to eat | Trace amount |
Chromium | Bone meal, Shrimp/snail shell crushed, Liver | Collagen formation, increasing the effectiveness of insulin, regulating the rate of glucose metabolism | Fish growth is curtailed, reluctance to eat or loss of appetite | 0.7 mg |
Selenium | Fish meal, cotton seed meal, Yeast | Protects cells from the effects of peroxide, acts as an antioxidant in conjunction with vitamin E, helping to keep the body stress free. | Slows down the growth of fish, increases mortality, anemia, blindness or cataracts, loss of muscle tissue | 0.19 mg |
Table: Symptoms of fish poisoning due to excess mineral content
Minerels | Fish Species | Symptoms of Poisoning |
---|---|---|
Zinc | Cyprinus carpio | Decreased physical growth |
Copper | lctalurus punctatus | Decreased physical growth |
Serenium | Oncorhynchus mykiss | Decreased physical growth, higher mortality rate, increased calcium levels in the kidneys |
Cadmium | Oncorhynchus mykiss /Cyprinus carpio | Scoliosis, low calcium levels in the bones, |
Lead(Pb) | Oncorhynchus mykiss | Scoliosis, lordosis, anemia, caudal fin loss |
Chromium | Oncorhynchus mykiss | Decreased physical growth |