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Shrimp aquaculture; Multi-strain probiotics; Water quality; Disease resistance; Vibrio control; Aquatic health; Sustainable farming; Gut microbiota; Immunomodulation; Probiotic supplementation

Introduction

Shrimp farming is a vital sector within global aquaculture, contributing significantly to food security and rural livelihoods. However, its sustainability is often challenged by issues such as poor water quality, disease outbreaks, and antibiotic overuse. Among the most prevalent pathogens, Vibrio spp. are notorious for causing mass mortality and economic loss in shrimp hatcheries and grow-out systems [1-5]. As a sustainable alternative to antibiotics, probiotics—particularly multi-strain formulations—have gained popularity for their ability to improve water quality, enhance host immunity, and outcompete pathogenic bacteria. This study investigates the effectiveness of multi-strain probiotic supplementation on improving water quality parameters and enhancing disease resistance in Litopenaeus vannamei (whiteleg shrimp) under semi-intensive farming conditions [6-10].

Discussion

A controlled trial was conducted over 90 days in 18 earthen ponds stocked with juvenile L. vannamei (15/m²). The ponds were divided into three groups: Group A (control, no probiotics), Group B (single-strain probiotic), and Group C (multi-strain probiotic containing Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Probiotics were applied weekly via water and feed at recommended dosages.

Water quality monitoring showed that Group C consistently maintained optimal ranges for dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrite, and pH. In contrast, Group A exhibited higher ammonia (1.1–1.4 mg/L) and nitrite levels (0.4–0.6 mg/L), which negatively affected shrimp health. The multi-strain probiotic group recorded 30% lower total ammonia nitrogen and 40% higher DO levels on average, indicating improved nitrification activity and organic waste breakdown by the introduced microbes.

In terms of growth performance, shrimp in Group C exhibited significantly higher final weight (avg. 19.2g) and specific growth rate (SGR) compared to the other groups. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was also lowest in the probiotic group (1.35), reflecting better nutrient assimilation and gut health.

A major highlight of the study was the assessment of disease resistance against Vibrio harveyi, a common shrimp pathogen. After a controlled challenge on day 60, mortality rates were highest in the control group (47%) and lowest in the multi-strain probiotic group (12%), demonstrating a marked improvement in immune response. Hemolymph samples from Group C shrimp showed increased phenoloxidase activity, respiratory burst, and total hemocyte count, all key indicators of innate immune function.

The gut microbiota analysis revealed a higher abundance of beneficial microbes and suppression of Vibrio spp. in the probiotic group. These results suggest that multi-strain probiotics colonize the shrimp gut more effectively, creating a stable and competitive microbial ecosystem that favors host health.

Conclusion

Multi-strain probiotic supplementation significantly improves water quality, enhances shrimp immunity, and reduces disease-related mortality, making it a valuable tool for sustainable shrimp aquaculture. By fostering a healthy gut microbiome and a balanced pond environment, these probiotic formulations reduce the reliance on antibiotics and chemical treatments. Adoption of such eco-friendly strategies will be critical for improving productivity, environmental safety, and economic viability in modern aquaculture. Future research should focus on strain-specific roles, optimal dosages, and field-scale validation across diverse farming systems.

References

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