Effect of Probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus) as a Feed Additive on the Growth Performance of Moolgarda seheli (Bluespot Mullet)

Background and Objective: The agricultural sector increasingly strictly prohibits the use of Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGP) and in-feed probiotics are emerging as appealing substitutes for antibiotics in aquaculture. The impact of Lactobacillus acidophilus on the hematological parameters and growth performance of Moolgarda seheli was assessed. Materials and Methods: The experiment in Mukalla, Hadhramaut, Yemen, tested the effects of probiotics on Moolgarda seheli over five weeks using circular net tanks (10 fish per tank). Fish were fed diets with 40 g/kg protein and 11 g/kg lipids, with or without Lactobacillus acidophilus (5.78 log CFU/g). Growth, hematological and biochemical parameters were analyzed using t-tests (p<0.05) in SPSS 23. Results: After 5 weeks, Moolgarda seheli fed a probiotic-supplemented diet exhibited significantly better growth (higher SGR and RGR, lower FCR and higher PER) and altered carcass composition, with increased fat and ash but lower protein content compared to controls (p<0.05). Probiotic-fed fish also showed enhanced blood parameters, including higher hemoglobin, RBC, hematocrit, MCHC, MCH, MCV, serum glucose and cholesterol levels. Conclusion:Feeding Lactobacillus acidophilus probiotics to Moolgarda seheli significantly enhanced growth, hematology and intestinal flora while reducing blood plasma cortisol levels compared to a control diet. These findings support using probiotics in aquaculture to boost fish health, feed efficiency and productivity. Future research should explore strain optimization, long-term effects and cross-species applications.