Inclusions of probiotics and prebiotics in diet for coral trout, Plectropomus leopardus nursery

Abstract

Coral trout is one of marine fishery commodities with high economic value. This grouper fish has limited ability in the utilization of artificial feed. The aim of this study was to obtain information on the effectiveness of probiotics and prebiotics inclusions in diet to increase growth of coral trout. Fish was reared in fiber tanks 300-L with a density of 30 fish/tank. Fish weight and length were 3.7±0.1 g and 6.3±0.1 cm, respectively. Each tank was equipped with a flowing water system and aeration as a source of oxygen supply. The feed was formulated with 48% protein and 9% lipid. Treatments were inclusion of probiotics in diet (diet A), inclusion of mannan oligosaccharide/MOS (diet B), inclusion of probiotic + mannan oligosaccharide/MOS (diet C), and diet D as control. The study was conducted in a complete randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 4 replications. Fish fed trial diets with a frequency of 3 times a day at satiation. The parameters observed were growth, feed efficiency, feed digestibility, bacteria density and immunity. The data obtained were analysed with anova followed by LSD. The results showed that diet with the probiotic content promoted better growth and feed efficiency of coral trout compared to the other treatments. The highest growth of coral trout fingerlings was obtained by fish fed diet A (added with probiotics) with a weight gain of 794.86%. While fish fed diet containing probiotics and prebiotic (diet C) showed a lower growth response (weight gain 641.26%) than those fed diet with probiotics and prebiotics (MOS) separately. Survival during the study for all treatments ranged from 90.00% to 93.33%.