Antimicrobial Peptides in Fish: Mechanisms of Action and Applications in Aquaculture

With the rapid development of global aquaculture, the frequent occurrence of fish diseases has had a serious impact on the efficiency of aquaculture and the ecological environment. Antimicrobial peptides, as a kind of natural immune active substance existing in organisms, participate in innate immunity and adaptive immunity. Due to their extensive antibacterial properties and low toxicity, they have gradually become a hot topic in scientific research. This article reviews the classification, tissue distribution, mechanism of action, extraction, and synthesis techniques of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from fish, as well as their applications in disease prevention in aquaculture, product preservation, and antibiotic substitution. Although antimicrobial peptides are expected to become alternatives to antibiotics, challenges such as environmental stability, production costs, and regulatory frameworks remain to be addressed. This article holds that antimicrobial peptides derived from fish are a feasible strategy for sustainable aquaculture. The future development direction lies in biotechnology-driven optimization, carrier innovation, and combined application with traditional antibiotics.