Autochthonous probiotic mixture improves biometrical parameters of larvae of Piaractus mesopotamicus (Caracidae, Characiforme, Teleostei)

ABSTRACT: Probiotics are a novel alternative to antibiotics as growth factors. Previously, our group isolated, selected and tested in vivo, eight autochthonous strains. They showed no significant effects when administered individually. However, the best doses, stages and ways of administration were combined in a multi strain formula. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of this probiotic product on the growth and survival of Piaractus mesopotamicus larvae. The administration was implemented during egg incubation and endogenous feeding period (5), during larvae exogenous feeding period (10) and all along the experiment (15). A group without microorganisms was used as control. The probiotic generates significant increments of mean weight and not significant increases of survival and biomass in two of the three tested stages. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of an autochthonous probiotic formula for the culture of this native fish species.