The effects of increasing dietary inclusion levels of olive pomace (OP) on growth performance, zootechnical indices, body composition, energy metabolism, and lipid peroxidation were evaluated in juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Five experimental diets, formulated to be isoproteic (37
The present study evaluated the effects of partial replacement of fish oil and dietary inclusion of fatty acid- and carotenoid-rich extracts from the microalga Microchloropsis gaditana on growth performance and skin coloration of juvenile clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris over 60 days. These standardized extracts, used instead of whole microalgal biomass, provided a concentrated and controlled supply of lipids and pigments. Four dietary treatments were tested in triplicate: DCT (control), DFA (2
The rising cost of fishmeal has increased the use of high-carbohydrate diets (HCD) in aquaculture, often compromising fish muscle quality. This study investigated whether promoting adipocyte hyperplasia, a healthy adipose expansion pattern, alleviates HCD-induced texture deterioration in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus). A control diet (30
Protein content is the major factor determining weight gain during culture and contributes to the cost of finished shrimp feed, and therefore warrants its judicious use in formulated feeds. Existing studies have focused more on phenotypic and biochemical changes in shrimp in response to varying protein content in feed, but an understanding of the molecular-level metabolic changes remains limited. In this context, five isolipidic experimental diets with varying protein levels, designated LCP1 (21.8
Probiotics are increasingly explored as sustainable alternatives to antibiotics in aquaculture. This study evaluated the probiotic potential of host-derived Bacillus megaterium BST-01 in Nile tilapia. BST-01 exhibited detectable protease, amylase, xylanase, and lipase activities, while disk-diffusion assays showed measurable inhibition zones for all tested antibiotics. Nile tilapia were fed diets supplemented with BST-01 at 105, 106, or 107 CFU g⁻1 for 8 weeks. Fish receiving 107 CFU g⁻1 showed improved growth performance, feed efficiency, intestinal amylase, cellulase, xylanase, and lipase activities, and altered hepatic expression of genes related to glucose metabolism and growth regulation. Prior to pathogen challenge, supplementation at 106–107 CFU g⁻1 enhanced phagocytic activity, respiratory burst activity, lysozyme activity, and immune-related cytokine expression. Following Streptococcus iniae challenge, cumulative mortality was significantly reduced in the BM-6 and BM-7 groups compared with the challenged control. Gut microbiota analysis showed increased microbial richness and diversity, together with shifts in community composition characterized by reduced relative abundances of Aeromonas and Enterovibrio. Collectively, these findings support the potential of B. megaterium BST-01 as a host-derived probiotic for improving feed utilization, growth performance, innate immunity, disease resistance, and gut microbial composition in Nile tilapia.
