Aquaculture is a rapidly growing global industry, comprising cultivation of various freshwater and marine
species of finfish, shellfish, mollusks and ornamental fish. By the year 2020, as much as 20% of the world
production of fish will be based on aquaculture. Properly formulated feeds are significant part of successful
aquaculture. Carotenoids play a major role in commercial aquaculture. Various biological and nutritional role of
carotenoids in aquatic animals are documented along with the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on carotenoids
transport and retention and final flesh pigmentation. Pigmentation is one of the important quality attributes of
the aquatic animal for consumer acceptability. Carotenoids are responsible for pigmentation of muscle in food
fish and skin color in ornamental fish. The functions, sources and importance in aquaculture are discuss