The effect of Pediococcus acidilactici bacteria used as probiotic supplement on the growth and non-specific immune responses of green terror, Aequidens rivulatus.

A 56-day feeding trial was conducted on a species of ornamental fish called green terror (Aequidens rivulatus) (0.388 ± 0.0021 g) to assess the effect of probiotic bacteria, Pediococcus acidilactici on the growth indices and innate immune response. The fish were randomly allocated into 9 oval tanks (120 l) at a density of 60 fish per tank. The experimental diets were comprised of the control (C), C complemented with fish oil (O) and the probiotic and fish oil (PA) and fed ad lib twice a day. The growth indices (specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and immunological indices of fish fed the diets including lysozyme activity, total immunoglobulin and alternative complement activity were measured. The Fish fed with the diet containing P. acidilactici (PA) displayed significantly (P < 0.05) higher final weight (3.25 ± 0.065 g), weight gain (830.94 ± 9.46%), SGR (3.53 ± 0.02%/day) and lower FCR (1.45 ± 0.011) compared to those of other experimental diets. Total immunoglobulin (10.05 ± 0.12 μg/ml), lysozyme activity (4.08 ± 0.85 μg/ml) and alternative complement activity (2.65 ± 0.12 U/ml) in the serum of PA fed fish showed significant compared to other treatments (P < 0.05). The results showed positive effects of P. acidilactici as a potent probiotic on growth indices and non-specific immune system of green terror.