The rising cost of fish meal (FM) in aquaculture feed has prompted the search for alternative protein sources like soybean meal (SBM). However, SBM-based diets can negatively affect fish growth, lipid metabolism, and intestinal health. One possible solution is to add cholesterol to SBM-based feeds to mitigate these adverse effects, but the optimal levels and the resulting benefits remain unclear. In this study, the impact of adding cholesterol to low FM and high soybean protein diets on the growth, lipid metabolism, and intestinal health of Monopterus albus was evaluated. Juvenile M. albus (in...