Fish require a supply of essential minerals for healthy growth. In the wild these are obtained from the surrounding water and the tissues of prey items. The main ones are calcium and phosphorus which are added to diets in the form of carbonates and phosphates. As synthetic minerals are much cheaper to produce than vitamins and are much more stable, mineral additives do not contribute greatly to higher feed costs. Other minerals required include iron, magnesium, manganese, sodium, potassium and cobalt.
