Ingredients

Reference glossary of fish food ingredients with linked foods and species suitability.

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89 ingredients
IngredientCategoryClassification
Alfalfa
Plant-derived ingredient sometimes used for fibre, micronutrients, and formulation support.
plantNeutral
Algae
Aquatic plant-based ingredient used for pigments, micronutrients, and herbivore support.
AlgaeGenerally beneficial
Amino Acid Supplement
Synthetic or purified amino acids added to fish food to balance protein nutrition.
AdditivesGenerally beneficial
Astaxanthin
Carotenoid pigment enhancing red/orange coloration.
ColourantsGenerally beneficial
Beta Glucan
Immune-supporting polysaccharide commonly used in aquaculture feeds.
AdditivesGenerally beneficial
Bloodworm
Aquatic insect larvae commonly used as a natural high-protein fish food ingredient.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Brewers Dried Yeast
Yeast ingredient used for B-vitamins, palatability, and functional support.
AdditivesGenerally beneficial
Brewers Yeast
Yeast source of B vitamins and beta-glucans.
AdditivesNeutral
By Products
Animal-derived processing remnants; quality varies significantly.
Animal proteinQuality varies
Calcium Carbonate
Mineral additive used as a calcium source and processing aid.
mineralNeutral
Calendula
Natural plant ingredient often used for pigment support and colour enhancement.
ColourantsGenerally beneficial
Carob Flour
Plant-derived flour sometimes used as a natural binder or fibre source.
BindersNeutral
Cassava
Starchy root ingredient used as a carbohydrate source and binder.
BindersNeutral
Cellulose
Plant fibre used as a structural ingredient in feed.
BindersNeutral
Cereals
Generic grain-based ingredients used as energy sources.
Plant proteinContext dependent
Chlorella
Green algae rich in nutrients and pigments.
AlgaeGenerally beneficial
Clam Extract
Marine extract used for palatability.
Animal proteinNeutral
Cod Liver Oil
Marine oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins.
oilGenerally beneficial
Corn
Common plant ingredient used as filler or carbohydrate source.
Plant proteinQuality varies
Crab Eggs
Marine protein ingredient derived from crab roe.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Derivatives
A label grouping term that may refer to processed by-products or derived ingredients.
OtherLabel group term
Dicalcium Phosphate
Mineral additive used to supply calcium and phosphorus.
mineralNeutral
Dl Methionine
Supplemental amino acid used to balance protein formulations.
AdditivesContext dependent
Dried Seaweed Meal
Seaweed-derived ingredient used for plant nutrients, minerals, and herbivore support.
AlgaeGenerally beneficial
Enzymes
Digestive enzymes added to improve nutrient utilisation.
AdditivesGenerally beneficial
Fish Meal
Concentrated animal protein derived from whole fish or fish trimmings.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Fish Oil
Marine-derived oil providing essential fatty acids.
Oils & fatsGenerally beneficial
Fish Protein Concentrate
Concentrated fish-derived protein used to boost digestible protein content.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Fruit
A broad label term covering one or more fruit-derived ingredients.
plantLabel group term
Garlic
Plant-derived additive commonly used to enhance palatability.
AdditivesNeutral
Grass Meal
Grass meal is a dried and ground plant material made from grasses or similar forage crops. It is commonly used in livestock feed and occasionally appears in fish food formulations as a plant-derived ingredient.
BindersContext dependent
Hemoglobin Powder
Animal-derived blood protein powder.
Animal proteinQuality varies
Herring Meal
Fish-based protein derived from herring.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Sucrose Polyesters
Highly processed additive term that may refer to modified vegetable-derived compounds.
AdditivesQuality varies
Inositol
Vitamin-like compound involved in metabolism and cell function.
AdditivesGenerally beneficial
Insect Meal
Protein source derived from insect larvae, commonly black soldier fly.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Inulin
Prebiotic fibre supporting gut health.
AdditivesGenerally beneficial
Kelp
Seaweed ingredient used for plant nutrients, trace minerals, and formulation support.
AlgaeGenerally beneficial
Kelp Meal
Seaweed-based ingredient providing trace minerals.
AlgaeNeutral
Krill Meal
Highly digestible marine protein rich in omega-3 fatty acids and natural astaxanthin.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Lecithin
Functional emulsifier used to stabilise fats and improve pellet consistency.
AdditivesNeutral
Maltodextrin
Processed carbohydrate used as a binder and energy source.
BindersNeutral
Mealworm Meal
Insect-based protein derived from mealworms.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Meat Meal
Rendered animal protein derived from mixed meat sources.
Animal proteinContext dependent
Menhaden Fish
Marine fish source used in aquafeeds.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Middlings
By-product of grain milling, often used as filler.
Plant proteinQuality varies
Minerals
A label grouping term referring to one or more mineral supplements.
mineralLabel group term
Molluscs And Crustaceans
Animal-based ingredient group covering mollusc and crustacean material used for protein and palatability.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Monocalcium Phosphate
Mineral additive used to supply calcium and phosphorus.
mineralNeutral
Mycoprotein
Protein derived from fungal fermentation.
Plant proteinContext dependent
Nettle
Plant ingredient occasionally used for micronutrients.
plantNeutral
Oils And Fats
A label grouping term referring to one or more added oils or fats.
Oils & fatsLabel group term
Paprika
Natural pigment source for colour enhancement.
ColourantsNeutral
Pea Protein
Plant-derived protein often used in grain-free formulas.
Plant proteinContext dependent
Peas
Plant ingredient providing fibre and moderate protein, commonly used in omnivore formulations.
Plant proteinNeutral
Plankton
Natural aquatic organisms used as a nutrient-rich food source.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Potato
Carbohydrate ingredient used for digestible starch and pellet binding.
carbohydrateNeutral
Poultry Meal
Rendered poultry protein source.
Animal proteinContext dependent
Probiotics
Beneficial bacteria supporting gut health.
AdditivesGenerally beneficial
Rapeseed Oil
Plant-derived oil used as an alternative lipid source.
oilNeutral
Reishi Mushroom
Medicinal mushroom sometimes used in functional feeds.
AdditivesNeutral
Rice
Digestible carbohydrate source often used in aquafeeds.
Plant proteinNeutral
Rosemary
Plant-derived additive commonly used for antioxidant support and preservation.
AdditivesNeutral
Salmon
Ingredient used in aquaculture feeds.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Salmon Meal
Marine protein derived from processed salmon.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Salmon Oil
Oil extracted from salmon, used to supply marine omega-3 fatty acids.
Oils & fatsGenerally beneficial
Sardine
Marine fish ingredient rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Seaweed
Natural marine plant ingredient rich in minerals, fibre, and trace nutrients, commonly used in herbivore and omnivore fish foods.
Plant proteinNeutral
Shrimp Meal
Protein ingredient derived from dried and ground shrimp.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Silkworm Pupae
Insect-derived protein source.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Soy
Plant-based protein with variable digestibility in fish.
Plant proteinQuality varies
Soy Protein
Plant-based protein derived from processed soybeans.
Plant proteinQuality varies
Spices
Generic label for plant-derived flavour additives.
plantNeutral
Spinach
Leafy vegetable providing micronutrients.
plantNeutral
Spirulina
A nutrient-dense blue-green algae used for pigmentation and supplemental protein.
AlgaeGenerally beneficial
Squid Meal
Marine protein source with strong palatability.
Animal proteinGenerally beneficial
Starch
Carbohydrate used for pellet stability and extrusion.
BindersNeutral
Tocopherol
Fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin (Vitamin E) used to support immune function and protect fats from oxidation.
vitamin_mineralNeutral
Turmeric
Plant-derived spice containing the compound curcumin.
plantNeutral
Various Sugars
A label grouping term indicating one or more added sugars or sweeteners.
carbohydrateLabel group term
Vegetable Protein Extracts
Plant-derived protein concentrates used to raise protein percentage in formulations.
Plant proteinContext dependent
Vitamins
Vitamin premix used to supply essential micronutrients.
AdditivesGenerally beneficial
Wheat
Grain ingredient used as carbohydrate and binder.
BindersContext dependent
Wheat Flour
Common binding agent used in pellet formation.
BindersNeutral
Wheat Gluten
Plant protein fraction derived from wheat.
Plant proteinContext dependent
Xanthan Gum
Food-grade stabiliser used to improve pellet structure.
BindersNeutral
Yeast
Functional ingredient used for palatability and micronutrient support (often B-vitamins).
AdditivesGenerally beneficial
Yeasts
A broad label term referring to one or more yeast-derived ingredients.
AdditivesLabel group term
Zeolite
Mineral additive used for binding and ammonia control.
AdditivesNeutral