This publication is aimed at farmers, students and technicians in related areas who are interested in acquiring knowledge in the area of fish nutrition and feeding. It basically consists of an extensive literature review of research results and a compilation of studies carried out by researchers on the use of alternative feeds for tropical fish. In addition to the results of studies carried out by the authors and their collaborators based on theses, dissertations and end-of-course work by students supervised by the author and his collaborators, this publication contains data of relevant importance for the training of various professions related to fish farming. However, it is not intended to exhaust the entire subject, but to discern the rational use of various ingredients that can be used, and their recommended levels in complete rations for fish farmed in Brazil.