Amino acid requirements of Mediterranean fish species

The purpose of this paper is to review the available information on dietary amino acid requirements of Mediterranean fish species. Currently available information, although limited, shows considerable similarities between species in terms of essential dietary amino acid profiles. Data on quantitative requirements for maintenance and for unit protein growth show some degree of inter-species differences. We stress the need for using standardised methodologies in the determination of requirements. Given the importance of proteins and amino acids in fish nutrition and given the context of research on alternatives to fishmeal, much more concerted research on amino acid utilisation and metabolism is required, considering major critical aspects in their determination and suggesting topics of research in this field, to be addressed in the future.