Fish Meal: Nutrition, Benefits, Uses & How to Choose the Best

Created on 08.21

Fish meal – sometimes called "fishing meal" or "fishmeal" – is a staple in many industries. Let’s break down the key details through common questions and answers. 

What’s in fish meal, nutritionally speaking? 

Fish meal packs a powerful nutritional punch. Its protein content typically sits between 55% and 72%, which is why "high protein fish meals" are so sought after. It’s loaded with essential amino acids like lysine and methionine, plus a rich mix of minerals – think calcium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc – and vitamins such as A, D, and B - complex. 

When it comes to fat, fish meal contains 2% to 15%, with unsaturated fatty acids like EPA and DHA. These are great for boosting animal reproduction and immunity, making fish meal a smart choice for "fish meal food" applications. 

How does fish meal benefit animals? 

Speeds up growth: The oligopeptide protein in fish meal gets absorbed by animals directly, leading to bigger daily weight gains. For example, large pigs can put on up to 2.5 catties a day. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the "best fish meals" for growth.

Bolsters immunity: The unsaturated fatty acids and trace elements like zinc and selenium in fish meal help animals handle stress better. 

Improves meat quality: In aquaculture, adding fish meal makes fish taste better. 

Makes feed go further: Its amino acids match up closely with what animals need, so almost all of it gets digested – close to 100% – cutting down on waste. 

Where is fish meal used? 

Aquaculture: It’s a core ingredient in aquatic feed, usually making up 20% to 50% of the mix. It helps fish and other aquatic creatures grow faster and fight off diseases. 

Livestock and poultry farming: Adding fish meal to poultry feed, for instance, boosts egg production and makes the meat better. That’s why "fish meal for chickens" is a common practice. 

How is fish meal different from fish and bone meal? 

Fish meal is made from whole fish or fish processing leftovers, focusing on delivering that full range of nutrients we talked about. Fish and bone meal, on the other hand, comes mainly from fish bones. It has more minerals like calcium but less protein than regular fish meal. 

How do you pick good fish meal? 

Quality fish meal – the kind that fits the "best fish meals" label – has protein between 55% and 72%, a good balance of amino acids, and just the right amounts of fat, minerals, and vitamins. It should look evenly colored, smell fresh (no rotten or stale odors), have no more than 10% moisture, and an acid value of 7mg KOH/g or less. These traits mean it’s top - notch for its intended use. 

References​

"Efficacy and Advantages of Fish Meal as a Feed Raw Material" – dives into fish meal’s nutrients, benefits for animals, and where it’s used. Published on [specific website], May 22, 2025, 15:50.​

"Fish Meal Products - Encyclopedia of China Third Edition Online Edition" – offers in - depth info on fish meal’s properties and uses. Published on [specific website], November 20, 2024, 00:00.

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