We evaluated the growth performance and hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects of curcumin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in based on an 8-week feeding trial. A basal diet was supplemented with 0 (control), 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 mg/kg curcumin to formulate six experimental diets. At the end of the feeding trial, the growth performance was determined. Subsequently, CCl₄ was used for the model experiment. The plasma and liver were collected for the test after 72 h. Then, the expression levels of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) of plasma and liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) activities were detected. The liver tissues were also collected for anatomical analysis. The change of liver tissue structure was observed under a microscope. Results showed that there was a significant (<0.05) increase in weight gain rate (WG) and special growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diets supplemented with 60 and 120 mg/kg curcumin. When fish were exposed to CCl₄ after 72 h, fish fed diets supplemented with 60 and 120 mg/kg curcumin had significantly (<0.05) lower plasma GOT and GPT activities and MDA content, and higher contents of plasma TP and ALB, and activities of liver SOD, GSH, GSH-Px, and plasma T-AOC than those in other treatment groups. Curcumin (120 mg/kg curcumin per diet) obviously inhibited the damage of liver tissue structure caused by CCl₄ and resulted in the liver tissue structure returning to normal. Overall, the results indicated that appropriate dietary curcumin supplementation could enhance the growth (especially 60 and 120 mg/kg curcumin per diet) of fish and effectively protect the liver against CCl₄-induced injury (especially 120 mg/kg curcumin per diet). Therefore, curcumin can promote the growth of fish and increase the protective effect on liver injury of fish in a certain extent. However, as a Chinese herbal medicine, curcumin is complex, we need to further study its pharmacological mechanism in detail. Especially, because curcumin is insoluble in water, easy to metabolize, and not readily absorbed by the body, we need to develop a new formula to improve its solubility, pharmacological action, and medicinal administration. With an in-depth study of its pharmacological action and further elucidating the mechanism of action, curcumin will definitely play a bigger role in the treatment of fish diseases in the future.