Effect of Probiotics (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium) on Growth Performance and Hematological Profile of Clarias gariepinus Juveniles

Abstract

2 Abstract: This study was carried out to evaluate the use of probiotic (a mixture of Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium species) on growth performance and hematological parameters of Clarias gariepinus juveniles. Fifteen tanks were used and 10 Clarias gariepinus juveniles (mean weight (14.9±0.83 g) per tank, each in triplicate. Five treatment tanks were fed a diet containing 40% crude protein supplemented with varying inclusion of probiotic comprising about 10 colony-forming units per gram of diet (the probiotic diet). 9 Diet T contain 0g probiotic (control diet) while the other groups contain 0.5 g, 1.0 g, 1.5 g and 2.0 g probiotic 0 diet. Results showed that Fish fed with diet T (0.5 g probiotic) had the best growth performance. Weight gain 1 by Fish fed control diet and diet containing 0.5g of probiotic were not significantly different (P>0.05). The final body weight, percentage, weight gain and specific growth rate was positively affected at lowest inclusion of probiotic. Feed conversion ratio of all the treatments were not significantly different (P>0.05). Results showed that there were an increase in the blood parameters of Clarias gariepinus fed probiotic diet treatment compare to the control diet but were not significantly different (P>0.05) at the 30 day. There was significant difference (P<0.05) among the treated groups at day 60. The 90 day of study showed that values of all hematological parameter of fish fed different concentrations of probiotic diet did not differ from the values of fish fed the control diet but there was an increase in platelet value of fish fed control diet which ranges from Packed Cell Volume (16.4-26.8%), Hemoglobin content (4.06-9.23gd L ), Red blood cells (0.88-2.95×10 µ L )), White blood 1 61