Effect of Commercial Probiotics on Growth Performance of Sabaki tilapia, Oreochromis spilurus

Abstract

The use of beneficial bacteria to improve fish health and growth is an innovative method in aquaculture practice.  A study was conducted to test the efficiency of two commercial probiotics, such as Sanolife Pro-W and Protexin Balance on the microbial load in culture water and growth performance of Sabaki tilapia, Oreochromis spilurus in fiber glass tanks (400 liters) for a period of 75 days. Sanolife was supplied at 3ppm in the rearing water daily, and designated as Treatment 1. Protexin was incorporated at the rate of 1ppm in a supplementary feed, containing 35% protein in diet and considered as treatment 2. A control was also maintained without treating with probiotics in culture water or feed. Healthy and uniform size fish (3.1 ± 0.5g) were stocked at the rate of 25peaces/tank and both treatments and control tanks were set on a randomized design and triplicated. Water quality parameters (physical and chemical), microbial load in water, growth performance and body composition (nutrients) of fish were assessed during the culture period. Significant difference (p<0.01) on growth was observed between control and treatments, the highest growth was recorded in Protexin treated fish. Water quality parameters did not show significant variations. Carcass protein and lipid content showed significant difference between control and treatments. Considerable reduction in bacterial population and improved growth were observed in Sanolife Pro W treated water, when compared to Control. The result shows that Sanolife significantly reduce the bacterial population in culture water and Protexin improves the growth of fish. The outcome of the study has great application in the field of tilapia aquaculture sector in the Kingdom.