Evaluation of fish-breeding parameters of yearlings of the F1 hybrid Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt, 1833 × Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869 with short-term introduction of probiotics of different action spectrum into the diet

Background. Under the conditions of the global shortage of accessible animal proteins, the task to develop the effective strategy aimed at the minimizing negative consequences of the production intensification and optimization of economic indicators in aquaculture becomes urgent. One of the most promising directions in this regard is the use of probiotic additives demonstrating substantial potential for increasing productivity in the farming of aquatic organisms.

Purpose. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the fish farming parameters of fingerlings of the F1 hybrid Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt, 1833 x Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869 with short-term administration of probiotics of enzymatic and antimicrobial spectrum of action into the diet.

Materials and methods. The research work was carried out in the conditions of an integrated fish farming enterprise in the Volgograd region. The material was 900 specimen of fingerlings F1 Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt, 1833 x Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869 (RoLo) at the age of 53 days, which were divided into 3 groups (control, experiment No. 1, experiment No. 2). Fish’ diet consisted of feed with a crude protein content of 56.0±1.5%. The experimental groups of fish additionally received probiotic supplements as part of their diet: experiment No. 1 – a multi-strain probiotic with an antimicrobial spectrum of action (strains Bacillus velezensis MT55, B. velezensis МТ155), experiment No. 2 – a multi-strain probiotic with an enzymatic spectrum of action (strains B. velezensis MT14, B. velezensis MT42). The compound feeds of both experimental groups contained 0.1% probiotic powder. The experiment was carried out for 10 days. To assess the fish farming criteria, morphometric characteristics of fish were measured at the beginning and end of the experiment. The significance of the differences in the obtained values was determined using the ANOVA test. The differences between the groups were considered significant at p <0.05.

Results. During 10 days of observations, a positive effect of an enzymatic probiotic (bacterial strains B. velezensis MT14, B. velezensis MT42) on the growth rate of the F1 hybrid Acipenser gueldenstaedtii Brandt, 1833 x Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869 was established: the average individual weight of individuals receiving an enzymatic probiotic in the diet was 36.89% higher compared with the control group (p>0.05). The increase in total biomass in this group was 56.95% higher than in the control group. The values of the specific growth rate in this group of fish were also higher compared to the control and experimental group No. 1.

Conclusion. The data obtained confirm the prospects of using probiotics, especially the enzymatic spectrum of action, to intensify sturgeon aquaculture, improve their growth and reduce feed costs. The study highlights the importance of further developments in the field of specialized probiotic supplements to improve the efficiency of fish farming.