Effect of Probiotics-YUGE® on Survival and Growth of Heterobranchus bidorsalis Larvae Reared in Static-Renewal System

Background and Objective: The poor survival and growth of Heterobranchus bidorsalis larvae recorded during rearing from post-yolk absorption to fingerlings in the hatchery have been a major problem brothering farmers in Northern Nigeria. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a commercial diet supplemented with commercial probiotics YUGE^® in the rearing of Heterobranchus bidorsalis larvae to test if it will improve survival and growth in a static renewal system. Materials and Methods: Two weeks old larvae weaned on decapsulated artemia were reared on 0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g kg‾¹ levels of probiotics YUGE^® supplemented commercial diet (Aqualis^® fry powder) making up four dietary treatments allocated in triplicate in a completely randomized design. Results: Survival, growth and microbial constituent of larvae subjected to each treatment were monitored during four weeks of rearing. The result of the study showed that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the percent survival rate among the treatments. Larvae-fed probiotics YUGE^® supplemented at 1.0 to 2.0 g kg‾¹ revealed higher growth and the highest Bacillus spp., recorded in gut microflora. Conclusion: It was concluded that the supplementation of the probiotics YUGE^® in the diets of the larvae enhanced the percent occurrence of gut-beneficial Bacillus spp., at 1 to 2 g kg‾¹ of each which could have influenced the larvae’s better performance in terms of survival and growth.