Fishmeal (FM) is a high-quality protein source for aquaculture, but its use is limited by sustainability issues, high cost, and environmental concerns. Plant protein sources are being explored as alternatives to FM due to their availability, low cost, and potential for sustainable aquaculture. However, plant proteins contain anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), low digestibility, and imbalanced amino acid profiles, which can negatively affect fish growth and health. Various methods, including enzymatic pretreatments, fermentation, and heat treatments, are used to improve the nutritional value and digestibility of plant-based feeds. Functional additives such as phytase, citric acid, and probiotics can enhance the nutritional value of plant-based feeds by improving digestibility and nutrient utilization. This review highlights the potential of various plant protein sources, including soybean meal, cottonseed meal, corn gluten meal, rapeseed meal, canola meal, peanut meal, guar meal, sunflower meal, moringa oleifera meal, almond meal, black cumin seed meal, lupin meal, rice protein concentrate, brewer's spent grains, and distiller's grains, as substitutes for FM. These plant-based proteins can be used in aquafeeds to reduce reliance on FM, improve sustainability, and enhance the economic viability of aquaculture. However, challenges such as ANFs, low digestibility, and imbalanced amino acid profiles need to be addressed through processing techniques and the addition of functional additives to ensure the effectiveness of plant-based feeds in aquaculture. The review also emphasizes the importance of further research to optimize the use of plant-based proteins in aquaculture and to develop sustainable and cost-effective feed solutions.Fishmeal (FM) is a high-quality protein source for aquaculture, but its use is limited by sustainability issues, high cost, and environmental concerns. Plant protein sources are being explored as alternatives to FM due to their availability, low cost, and potential for sustainable aquaculture. However, plant proteins contain anti-nutritional factors (ANFs), low digestibility, and imbalanced amino acid profiles, which can negatively affect fish growth and health. Various methods, including enzymatic pretreatments, fermentation, and heat treatments, are used to improve the nutritional value and digestibility of plant-based feeds. Functional additives such as phytase, citric acid, and probiotics can enhance the nutritional value of plant-based feeds by improving digestibility and nutrient utilization. This review highlights the potential of various plant protein sources, including soybean meal, cottonseed meal, corn gluten meal, rapeseed meal, canola meal, peanut meal, guar meal, sunflower meal, moringa oleifera meal, almond meal, black cumin seed meal, lupin meal, rice protein concentrate, brewer's spent grains, and distiller's grains, as substitutes for FM. These plant-based proteins can be used in aquafeeds to reduce reliance on FM, improve sustainability, and enhance the economic viability of aquaculture. However, challenges such as ANFs, low digestibility, and imbalanced amino acid profiles need to be addressed through processing techniques and the addition of functional additives to ensure the effectiveness of plant-based feeds in aquaculture. The review also emphasizes the importance of further research to optimize the use of plant-based proteins in aquaculture and to develop sustainable and cost-effective feed solutions.