Fish are one of the most efficient animals in converting food nutrients into body tissues. This efficiency is due to a number
of factors—they are poikilotherms, they excrete waste efficiently, and they require little energy for support and transportation (Halver 1989). In addition to the basal metabolic rate, temperature, stress, and health status are important determinants of energy requirements. Diets should be compounded with the above factors in mind while making sure that the energy requirements include all essential nutrients.