Early-stage performance evaluation of Sanolife® MIC in enhancing shrimp larval development and reducing pathogenic Vibrio under hatchery conditions

Probiotics represent a sustainable alternative to antibiotics in shrimp aquaculture, potentially improving water quality, enhancing nutrient availability, and controlling pathogenic bacteria. Sanolife® MIC (S-MIC), a commercial probiotic formulation developed specifically for marine invertebrate culture, shows potential benefits, but its optimal dosage across different larval developmental phases remained undetermined. This 23-day study evaluated how various concentrations of Sanolife® MIC affect Pacific whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, larval development, growth performance, and microbial composition from nauplii to postlarval stage 15 (PL-15). The experimental design tested three different S-MIC concentrations (1, 5, and 30 g/m³/day) applied from nauplii to PL-15. Development parameters including growth rate, weight gain, morphological development, stress resistance, and microbial presence were evaluated. Results demonstrated that S-MIC supplementation at 1 g/m³/day significantly accelerated larval development to PL-1 stage. The highest concentration (5 and 30 g/m³/day) significantly improved larval weight at PL-6 compared to lower concentrations. Additionally, all S-MIC-treated groups exhibited significantly reduced Vibrio counts in both culture water and shrimp larvae. This study demonstrates that S-MIC supplementation provides concentration-specific benefits: 1 g/m³/day for accelerated early development and 5–30 g/m³/day for enhanced growth and robust Vibrio control in commercial shrimp hatcheries. These findings provide promising preliminary evidence for the strategic application of Sanolife® MIC in larval production while highlighting the need for further studies to elucidate underlying physiological mechanisms.