In modern aquaculture and pet feed industries, fsh oil serves as a vital nutritional additive, playing an increasingly critical role. It not only provides essential nutrients for aquatic organisms and pets but also exerts multiple positive efects on their health, growth, and development.

I. Roles of Fish Oil in Aquaculture

(1) Providing Essential Fatty Acids

Aquatic organisms such as fsh cannot synthesize ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are optimally sourced from fsh oil. These fatty acids are fundamental components of cell membranes, crucial     for maintaining cellular structure and function. During fsh growth and development, a defciency inessential fatty acids can lead to slow growth, reduced feed conversion efciency, and weakened immunity. For example, in salmon farming, appropriate fsh oil supplementation signifcantly enhances growth rate and feed utilization, resulting in tender, nutrient-rich fesh.

(2) Enhancing Immune Function

Fish oil regulates the immune system of aquatic organisms by promoting the proliferation and activity of immune cells and increasing antibody production, thereby improving disease resistance . Studies show that fsh fed with moderate fsh oil levels exhibit stronger resistance to bacterial and viral pathogens, reducing disease incidence. In shrimp farming, for instance, fsh oil addition helps lower the risk of infections like white spot disease, boosting farming success rates.

(3) Improving Reproductive Performance

For broodstock, fsh oil intake signifcantly impacts reproductive performance. It promotes gonadal development, enhances the quality of eggs and sperm, and increases fertilization and hatching rates. Adequate ω-3 PUFAs help regulate reproductive hormone secretion, creating a favorable physiological environment for reproduction. During the spawning period of some marine fsh,  rational use of fsh oil-enriched feed can notably improve fry yield and quality.

(4) Optimizing Meat Quality

The accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids from fsh oil in fsh muscle enhances both the taste and nutritional quality of fsh meat. It results in tender, juicy fesh with higher nutritional value, meeting consumer demands for high-quality aquatic products. The premium texture of popular deep-sea   fsh, for example, is closely linked to their natural intake offsh oil-rich diets.

II. Roles of Fish Oil in Pet Feed

(1) Promoting Coat and Skin Health

Pet owners highly value their companions' coat and skin health. EPA and DHA in fsh oil regulate skin oil secretion, alleviating dryness, itching, and dandruf. They also stimulate hair growth, leading to smoother, shinier coats. For pets with allergic dermatitis, the anti-infammatory properties of fsh  oil reduce symptoms and discomfort. Cats fed long-term with fsh oil-enriched diets, for instance,  often exhibit lustrous fur and improved skin conditions.

(2) Protecting Joint Health

As pets age, joint issues become prevalent. Fish oil's anti-infammatory efects reduce joint infammation, relieve pain, and slow down degenerative processes. For large dogs or pets with joint diseases like hip dysplasia, fsh oil supplementation improves mobility and quality of life. Research indicates that appropriate fsh oil inclusion in pet feed lowers the incidence of joint problems.

(3) Supporting Cardiovascular and Brain Health

DHA is essential for brain and retina development, positively impacting pets' cognitive function and vision. EPA helps regulate blood lipids, reduce blood viscosity, and prevent cardiovascular diseases . During the growth stage,sufcientfsh oil intake aids brain development, while in senior pets, it   protects cardiovascular health, lowering risks of heart disease and stroke.

(4) Boosting Immunity

Similar to its role in aquaculture, fsh oil enhances pets' immune systems by regulating immune   responses, improving disease resistance, and reducing infectious disease incidence. Its immune- boosting efects are particularly evident during seasonal changes or when pets are under stress, helping maintain overall health.

(5) Enhancing Digestion and Absorption

Fish oil promotes the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E, K) and improves intestinal digestive function, increasing the utilization rate of nutrients in feed. This is crucial for maintaining pets' overall nutritional status and ensuring they obtain adequate energy and nutrients from their diet.

III. Considerations for Rational Use of Fish Oil

While fsh oil ofers numerous benefts, its application must be rational. In aquaculture, dosage should be adjusted according to fsh species, growth stage, and farming environment to avoid excessive costs and water pollution. Quality control is also essential, as oxidized fsh oil can harm  aquatic organisms. In pet feed, supplementation should be scientifcally tailored to the pet's breed , age, weight, and health condition to prevent side efects. Additionally, proper storage—away from light and airtight—is necessary to prevent oxidation and maintain efcacy.

In conclusion, fsh oil plays an indispensable role in aquaculture and pet feed. By providing essential nutrients, regulating physiological functions, and enhancing immunity, it safeguards the health and development of aquatic organisms and pets. As the demand for high-quality aquatic     products and pet health continues to rise, the rational use of fsh oil will become even more pivotal in these industries.