Effects of probiotic bacteria on growth parameters and immune defence in Eurasian perch Perca fluviatilis L. larvae under intensive culture conditions

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to examine whether a mixture of bacteria composed of Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus pumilus has a beneficial impact on survival, growth, lysozyme activity and total immunoglobulins (Ig) in perch larvae. In experiment 1, control fish were compared with fish receiving bacteria (4.93 × 107 CFU L−1 day−1) through tank water or both through tank water and Artemia metanauplii enriched with two bacteria doses (2 × 1010 or 4 × 1010 CFU L−1). Treatments were performed in 40 L triplicate tanks of 200 fish [initial body weight (IBW)=2.3 mg] each, placed in separated recirculating water systems. Experiment 2 evaluated the combining effects of bacteria feeding and densities (10 vs. 20 fish L−1, IBW=9.5 mg). In both experiments, the bacteria added to live food or both live food and water induced higher growth rate at the highest dietary dose and this was associated with higher Ig levels on days 14 and 28. In experiment 2, higher survival was associated to lower type‐2 cannibalism (ingestion of whole prey) at the two dietary bacteria doses, and such positive effect was observed for fish fed bacteria at high density. Bacteria administration through water had no effect on growth and survival. In conclusion, the results show that high dietary concentrations of the mixture of bacteria used have potential stimulating impact on growth, survival, lysozyme activity and total Ig. But, further investigations are needed to demonstrate the optimal doses for emphasizing immune defence status.

Assessing the impact ofBacillusstrains mixture probiotic on water quality, growth performance, blood profile and intestinal morphology of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

“…Similar findings have been observed in tilapia (Adeoye et al., ; Liu et al., ; Lukkana et al., ; Silva et al., ), gilthead sea bream ( Sparus aurata ) (Avella et al., ) and Eurasian perch ( perca fluviatilis L .) (Mandiki et al., ) fed Bacillus ‐based probiotics. Many studies (Adeoye et al., ; Avella et al., ; El‐Haroun et al., ; Liu et al., ; Lukkana et al., ; Mandiki et al., ; Silva et al., ; Taoka et al., ) demonstrated the ability of Bacillus to colonize the gut of fish and accordingly enhance the production of organic acids, activation of digestive enzymes and detoxification of the harmful constituents of feeds and collectively maintain a healthy gut with a subsequent improvement in nutrient digestibility and absorption.…”

“…(Mandiki et al., ) fed Bacillus ‐based probiotics. Many studies (Adeoye et al., ; Avella et al., ; El‐Haroun et al., ; Liu et al., ; Lukkana et al., ; Mandiki et al., ; Silva et al., ; Taoka et al., ) demonstrated the ability of Bacillus to colonize the gut of fish and accordingly enhance the production of organic acids, activation of digestive enzymes and detoxification of the harmful constituents of feeds and collectively maintain a healthy gut with a subsequent improvement in nutrient digestibility and absorption. Recently, it was demonstrated that Bacillus can displace pathogenic bacteria from the gut and accordingly enhance disease resistance and improve fish performance (Addo et al., ; Hostins et al., ; Srisapoome & Areechon, ).…”

Administration of Probiotics in the Water in Finfish Aquaculture Systems: A Review

“…However, the administration of bacteria through water did not give rise to any significant increase in growth, survival, and immunity. It is possible that probiotic uptake by fishes with this administration mode was not sufficient to stimulate their digestive mechanisms [100]. Likewise, the direct addition of Lactobacillus spp.…”

Probiotic bacteria may prevent haemorrhagic septicaemia by maturing intestinal host defences in Brazilian native surubins

“…Benefits linked to the use of probiotics have already been proved in many studies, such as their action in the competitive exclusion of pathogenic bacteria (Vine et al 2004), as sources of nutrients and digestive enzymes (Lazado et al 2012;Mehrabi et al 2012;Sun et al 2012), in the immune system modulation (Panigrahi et al 2004;Mouriño et al 2012), and in the production of bacteriocins and organic acids (Balc azar et al 2007c;Mahdhi et al 2011;Mandiki et al 2011;Silva et al 2013).…”