Effect of Probiotics on the Growth and Survival of Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of commercial probiotics on the production of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in commercial culture systems in Satkhira district of Bangladesh. Considering the principles of probiotic application in aquaculture, the study was designed primarily to compare the growth and survival of shrimp between probiotic-treated and without-probiotic (control) culture systems. Super PS as soil probiotics, Super Biotic and PH Fixer as water probiotics, and Zymetin as nutrient probiotics, supplied by CP Aquaculture Private Limited, India, were used in culture ponds of 0.4 ha with a stocking density of 10 PLs/m² for 120 days. Feeding with CP feed and application of each specific probiotic were administered in line with the guidelines of CP Company. There were no significant differences in the water parameters pH and dissolved oxygen between control and probiotic-treated ponds. The average body weight and total production were observed to be higher in probiotic-treated ponds than in control ponds. A 75% survival rate was found in probiotic-treated ponds, whereas 65% was found in control ponds. A lower FCR (1.3) was reported for the probiotic-treated ponds compared to the control ponds (FCR value, 1.7). The findings of the present work imply that probiotics could be used in shrimp farming systems and thus can play a significant role in sustainable aquaculture practices.