Nutritional insights into minor carps: a comprehensive review

Abstract Minor carps represent a diverse group of indigenous freshwater fish species that hold significant promise for sustainable aquaculture development in South and Southeast Asia. Despite their regional economic importance, nutritional research on these species remains limited and fragmented compared to major carps. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the dietary requirements and feeding practices of key minor carps, including Labeo gonius , Labeo fimbriatus , Labeo bata , Cirrhinus reba , Puntius spp. , and Osteobrama belangeri , across various life stages and culture systems. Crude protein requirements range widely from 19% to 45%, with lipid and carbohydrate levels similarly adjusted based on rearing system, developmental stage, and performance outcomes. Feeding strategies have been adapted for nursery, grow-out, and broodstock phases, with increasing use of formulated diets and integration into composite and polyculture systems. The review highlights the flexibility of minor carps in utilizing diverse nutrient inputs, their compatibility with short-duration and seasonal production systems, and their potential to diversify freshwater aquaculture. A better understanding of species-specific nutritional needs will support optimized feed formulation, improved productivity, and enhanced economic returns, particularly for smallholder farmers. Future research should focus on standardizing feeding protocols, assessing locally available feed ingredients, and advancing cost-effective, stage-specific diets to fully harness the aquaculture potential of these underutilized species.