Effect of Probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum) as Immune Stimulant on Hybrid Catfish Heteroclarias

Study on the effect of probiotics (Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum) as feed supplement and immune stimulant on hybrid Heteroclarias was carried out with 240 hybrid Heteroclariasfingerlings with mean weight 1.90 ±0.40 g fed probiotic supplement (GNC Ultra 25) for fifty six (56) days in 12 number 30 x 60 x 30 cm rectangular aquarium tanks. There were four treatments and each replicated three times. The inclusion level of probiotic fed supplement was at 0 g/kg, 1 g/kg, 2 g/kg and 3 g/kg. The experimental fish were fed at 3%,5%,7%, and 9% body weight at two weeks interval, The result showed that there was significant difference p(<0.05) between control and other treatments in terms of specific growth rate and percentage survival. The microbial analysis showed that there was presence of Gram positive bacterial in the gut of the hybrid Heteroclarias. The treatments fed with probiotics have the higher plate count as compared to the control, the haematological analysis showed that blood parameters of control differed significantly p(<0.05) from other treatments. The inclusion levels of the probiotic supplement use in this study enhanced the growth and immune response of hybrid Heteroclarias, however inclusion level at 1 g/kg is sufficient to enhance the proliferation of the required bacteria.