Probiotics, an Alternative Measure to Chemotherapy in Fish Production

Abstract

The use of chemotherapy in treating and enhancing the growth of fish has been widely criticized due to its negative environmental consequence. Hence, the use of probiotics which are bio-friendly seems to be a promising alternative. Therefore, the importance of probiotics in fish production was critically reviewed in line with their growth rate, disease treatment, and immune boosting. It was, however, realized that probiotics such as Lactobacillus fermentum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cultured from maize slurry and palm wine, respectively, could serve as good probiotics, which could enhance faster growth rate and wound-healing rate. Probiotics are, therefore, recommended to the fish farmers so as to increase the profitability of the aquaculture business.