Abstract
With the rapid growth of the aquaculture industry, challenges to the health of cultured organisms have also intensified, leading to frequent disease outbreaks that disrupt production and impact market stability. In response, nanotechnology has emerged as a transformative tool in aquatic animal health management, offering innovative solutions for challenges in disease prevention, water quality maintenance, and environmental sustainability. Nanotechnology is involved in many applications for the well-being of aquatic animals, such as nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, their role as feed additives and antimicrobial agents, their use in water purification, and the development of nanosensors for disease detection and water quality monitoring. These technologies have shown significant promise in enhancing the health and productivity of aquaculture systems by enabling targeted, efficient, and sustainable interventions. For instance, nanoparticles improve vaccine delivery, enhance immune responses, and reduce pathogen loads, while nanosensors enable real-time monitoring of environmental parameters and early detection of diseases. Despite these advancements, challenges such as high production costs, potential environmental toxicity, scalability issues, and the lack of comprehensive regulatory frameworks impede their widespread adoption. This review emphasizes the need for biodegradable and biocompatible nanomaterials to mitigate environmental risks and enhance sustainability. Moreover, robust regulatory frameworks and interdisciplinary collaborations are crucial to ensuring the safe and effective implementation of nanotechnology in aquaculture. By highlighting the current trends, key achievements, and future prospects, this review underscores the potential of nanotechnology to revolutionize aquatic animal health management, paving the way for more sustainable and resilient aquaculture practices.