Amino acids in the natural food web of global fishponds: way forward for precision protein feeding in pond cyprinid aquaculture

The dataset is a review of published data from 30 studies (1950–2026) reporting protein and indispensable amino acid (IAA) composition of freshwater natural food resources, including algae, zooplankton, and zoobenthos. This review is conducted with the following objectives to connect nutritional ecology with feed optimization in aquaculture: (i) quantify and compare protein and IAAs quantities among algae, zooplankton, and zoobenthos; (ii) assess IAA quality (% of protein) against carp nutritional requirement; (iii) examine the relationship between RTP and IAA composition; and (iv) connect this biochemical pattern with ecological aspect to practically implicate it in feed formulations. By understanding trophic variation in AA profiles across food webs in lentic freshwater ecosystems, this dataset and Rscripts (analyses) will support the formulation of nutritionally balanced pond feed synchronising with natural food’s dynamics, providing insights into best-suited feed ingredients for feed formulations.