In vivo evaluation of microbial cocktail of microalgae-associated bacteria in larval rearing from zoea I to mysis I of the Indian white shrimp, Penaeus indicus

Abstract

The present work aimed to explore the efficacy of microbial cocktail of microalgae-associated bacteria, such as Alteromonas sp. Mab 25, Labrenzia sp. Mab 26, Marinobacter sp. Mab 18 and Marinobacter sp. Mab 34, on survival, growth and metamorphosis rate (zoea to mysis) of Indian white shrimp larvae, Penaeus indicus. The microbial cocktail was found to be having a stimulatory effect on microalgal growth. Further, from zoea I to mysis I, P. indicus larvae were fed in triplicate: (1) non-axenic Isochrysis galbana, (2) axenic I. galbana, (3) non-axenic I. galbana enriched with an added microbial cocktail and (4) axenic I. galbana enriched with an added microbial cocktail. All measurements (survival, growth and metamorphosis rate) were highest in non-axenic I. galbana enriched with microbial cocktail and lowest in axenic I. galbana (p < 0.01). This study stands as first one of its kind involved in practical application of microalgae-associated bacteria to produce more efficient live feeds, which might greatly enhance the productivity of larviculture in aquaculture. Our results signify that ‘microbial cocktail’ developed from the selected microalgae-associated bacteria would be effective in the healthy larval rearing of aquaculture species. Thus, the concept proved in the present work can be further developed as an application package in commercial shrimp hatcheries.