This study was conducted to determine the effects of different commercial probiotics on the growth performance, feed utilization, proximate composition, and haematological parameters of Asian catfish (Clarias batrachus) juveniles. The study design consists of a total of 300 fish (avg. wt. 11.14±0.5 g) randomly distributed in twelve tanks with a stocking density of 25 fish/tank. Fish diets were formulated using 0.2% of three different commercial probiotics namely T1, CP-1; T2, CP-2; and T3, CP-3, and a control diet without probiotics. Fishes were fed at a rate of 3% body weight twice daily. The growth performance indicators i.e. final body weight (g), weight gain (g) and specific growth rate (%/day), were found to be highest in T3 (CP-3) and were significantly different from the others. Similarly, feed utilization (feed conversion ratio) was significantly improved in fish fed 0.2% probiotic diet. Among body indice parameters, intra peritoneal fat (%) reduced significantly in probiotic fed groups. Besides, highest percentage of protein (79.52±0.61) and lowest lipid content (6.14±0.25) were recorded in T3 (CP-3) supplemented diet. Haematological parameters especially percentage of packed cell volume and white blood cell were escalated in T1 (CP-1) and T3 (CP-3) whereas mean corpuscular volume found comparatively lower in control. Therefore, finally the results of principal component analysis concluded that the incorporation of probiotic T3 (CP-3) at 0.2% in diet proved more effective for the improvement of growth performance, proximate composition and haematological parameters for C. batrachus juvenile farming.
Aquaculture is crucial for global food security, yet environmental change threatens fish health, particularly in freshwater species like Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of environmental and water quality variations on the hematological responses of Nile tilapia reared in outdoor pond systems and indoor Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). The study was conducted over a 12-month duration (June 2023 to May 2024) using three replicate outdoor earthen ponds and three indoor RAS tanks. Daily data regarding environmental variables were collected from the government Meteorological Department, while water quality parameters were monitored on-site daily and biological sampling was conducted four times monthly. Tilapia managed within the RAS system exhibited higher mean RBC counts (1.512 × 106/mL), which may be associated with improved oxygen availability and stable environmental conditions, while outdoor pond fish showed higher mean WBC (389.188 × 10³/mL) and elevated glucose (122.675 mg/dL) level, potentially reflecting physiological or immunological responses to fluctuating environmental conditions. All hematological parameters differed significantly between systems (p < 0.05). RAS maintained more stable water quality, with higher DO (8.53 mg/L vs. 7.03 mg/L in ponds, p < 0.001) and zero ammonia, though TDS was higher (242.301 ppm, p = 0.034). Pond environments experienced greater temperature fluctuations, with rainfall contributing to reduction in pH. Environmental and water quality variables strongly shaped hematological responses, highlighting their role in fish welfare. Environmental and water quality variables showed measurable associations with hematological responses, highlighting their potential influence on fish welfare. The findings suggest that RAS may support improved environmental stability and physiological condition through controlled water quality management, with potential implications for fish health, broodstock quality, and sustainable aquaculture development.
The high cost and technical requirements of live-food production limit its large-scale use. Although daphnia (Daphnia magna) is a promising live feed for fish larvae, microalgal feeds commonly used for its cultivation are costly. This study aimed to assess the performance of banana peel extract (BPE) and banana peel hydrolysate (BPH) to be used as cheap alternative culture media for D. magna. D. magna was cultured for 18 days where six experimental treatments namely, T1 (D. magna cultured with live Chlorella sp., control), T2 (1% BPE), T3 (5% BPE), T4 (1% BPH), T5 (5% BPH) and T6 (1% BPE + 1% BPH) were designed with three replications each. The results indicated that population density (510.64 ± 11.07 ind. L-1) at the peak and offspring number at the first reproduction (9.50 ± 0.26 ind. L-1) in T4 were similar to those in control T1; however, significantly higher (p<0.05) than in the other treatments. Moreover, a significantly lower (p<0.05) age at first reproduction (5.47 ± 0.25 days) was recorded in T4 compared with the other treatments. Therefore, the findings of this study revealed that a 1% banana peel hydrolysate medium may provide a low-cost substrate option for D. magna culture.
The neon tetra (Paracheirodon innesi), a popular South American ornamental fish, has become a key species in Indonesian aquaculture, with production centered in Bojongsari, Depok. However, the industry faces declining genetic quality due to inbreeding. Therefore, implementing a selective breeding program is considered an effective approach to improve genetic quality. This study aimed to estimate the heritability and selection response of the body length trait in the base population of neon tetra fish. Selection was conducted on the entire population using a within-family selection method, specifically employing broodstock from the Curug and Bojongsari populations. A reciprocal breeding design was established using four mating combinations, each comprising 25 pairs of 4- to 5-month-old broodstock (3.28±0.15 cm total length; 0.43±0.06 g body weight) mated at a 1:1 sex ratio. The offspring were reared separately and grown out in an aquarium for 120 days. The results showed that the estimated heritability was 0.42, with a response to selection of 0.13 cm (4.9%). Our finding of moderate heritability implies that this trait can be effectively enhanced through a systematic breeding program. These figures suggest that the selection process for the next generation of neon tetra fish remains viable.
This study evaluated the effects of dietary recombinant growth hormone (rGH) and waterborne calcium carbonate (CaCO3) supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, body composition, and growth-related gene expression in snakehead (Channa striata) juveniles. The experiment was conducted for 90 days using four treatments: control (R0C0, without rGH and CaCO3 supplementation), treatment 1 (R5C0, 5 mg kg-1 rGH and without CaCO3 supplementation), treatment 2 (R5C25, rGH and 25 mg L-1 CaCO3 supplementation), and treatment 3 (R5C50 rGH and 50 mg L-1 CaCO3 supplementation), each with six replicates. The results showed that rGH significantly increased final body weight (BWt) and specific growth rate, and reduced feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with the control. Final body weight was significantly higher in R5C0 and R5C50 than in the control, with no significant difference between these treatments. In contrast, body length increased significantly with increasing CaCO3 dose, with the highest value observed in R5C50. Feed conversion ratio decreased significantly in all rGH treatments but did not differ among R5C0, R5C25, and R5C50. Protein and lipid retention were highest in R5C0 and decreased with CaCO3 supplementation. Body calcium content increased with CaCO3 supplementation, with the highest value observed in R5C50. Gene expression analysis showed that rGH significantly increased GH and IGF-1 expression compared to the control, while no consistent significant differences were observed among combined treatments. These findings suggest that rGH predominantly enhanced weight gain and feed utilization, whereas CaCO3 supplementation under rGH treatment was associated with increased body length. The combined treatments resulted in complementary but parameter-specific effects.
