Effect of dietary probiotic supplementation on growth, survival, coloration and stress resistance in guppy (Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859)

Abstract

Effect of commercial probiotic (AQUALACTTM) on the growth performance, feed utilization, colouration and stress resistance of Poecilia reticulata was investigated. Experimental diets were iso nitorgenic (30% Protein) and probiotic mixture (PM) was added in four different levels by replacing wheat flour. The diets were labeled as 0PM (0%), 50PM (0.5%), 75PM (0.75%) and 100PM (1.0%). Male guppy fry (28 days; 0.11±0.01 g and 2.20±0.05 cm) were fed ad libitum twice daily and growth performance and feed efficiency were evaluated. After 42 days of the feeding trial, guppies were exposed to NaCl salinity (35 gL-1) stress test. All dietary probiotic supplemented diets significantly influenced the growth performance, colouration and salinity stress resistance of fish compared to 0PM diet. Fish in 75PM treatment showed significantly highest growth (total length-3.35 ± 0.01cm; weight- 0.43 ± 0.01g) and better feed conversion ratio (2.51 + 0.01). The study revealed that 0.75 g/100g probiotic level was the best level among the tested levels to enhance the growth performance, colouration and salinity stress resistance of Guppy in aquarium conditions.