Effect of Probiotics (Bacillus subtilis) on the Growth and Survival of Fingerlings of Grass Carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella

Abstract

In the modern high intensity aquaculture, probiotics offer an encouraging substitute to chemicals and antibiotics, one such important application of probiotics is their use as growth promoters, in addition to health and water quality management. On the same background, the study was carried to evaluate the effect of dietary incorporation of probiotic - Bacillus subtilis on the growth performance of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella).The probiotic - Bacillus subtilis was mixed with the basal diet (Protein 32%) in three different concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 % designated as T1, T2, and T3). The basal feed with no probiotic was used as control (T0). The impact was recorded for a period of 60 days. Feeding was done twice a day at the rate of 5% of their body weight. Growth performance was evaluated through estimation of weight gain, feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), protein Efficiency Ratio (PER), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency ratio (FER). It was observed that the probiotic Bacillussubtilis fed at 1.5% significantly improved the growth performance of the fish Ctenopharyngodon idella showing the highest growth rate followed by 1% and 0.5% probiotic fed diets. Lowest growth rate was recorded in control group.