Herbal Medicines and Probiotics: Synergistic Applications for Sustainable Aquaculture and Future Optimization

ABSTRACT With the transformation of aquaculture toward green and sustainable development, the research and application of natural feed additives have become a research focus in the field. As two types of green additives with high efficiency and low residue, herbal medicines and probiotics show significant potential in improving the health of fish and enhancing aquaculture benefits. This paper systematically reviews the research progress of their applications in aquaculture, summarizing the core active components of herbal medicines as well as their mainstream isolation and purification techniques. It further analyzes the high functional consistency between the two in promoting growth performance, regulating gut microecological balance, enhancing immune function, optimizing nutritional metabolism, and improving muscle nutritional composition and quality. Moreover, this paper illustrates the synergistic interaction modes of herbal medicines and probiotics. Their combined application produces functional superposition and mutual complementation, which jointly enhance physiological regulation. More importantly, the interaction between herbal medicines and probiotics during the production of fermented herbal medicines is more pronounced. It can generate new active substances, increase the concentration of effective components, and promote digestion and absorption, thus greatly enhancing the overall physiological regulatory effect. Finally, the paper identifies current research limitations and prospects future directions, highlighting that artificial intelligence can help achieve full‐cycle intelligent control and precise application of herbal medicines and probiotics in aquaculture. This review will provide new insights to address practical industrial challenges, thereby providing a comprehensive reference for the theoretical research and practical application of green feed additives in aquaculture.