Probiotic enrichment of copepod (Acanthocyclops sp.) towards improving fish survival, nutritional content, optimal growth and sustainability

The article illustrates a thorough examination of the importance of live feed culture in aquaculture, especially in nurseries. Live feed is essential for aquaculture's sustainable development and ensuring a steady supply of fry and fingerlings. After being washed in sterilized water, copepods were bio-enriched with probiotic bacterial isolates (KAF061, 124, & 135) and commercial probiotics. A phase-contrast microscopic analysis confirmed the bioenrichment of copepods. We assessed the nutritional composition of the live feed culture using proximate analysis, revealing a greater protein content in microalgae, copepods, rotifers, and artemia compared to commercial fish feed. Based on these findings, the probiotic-rich live feed culture has a lot of potential for improving the nutritional content of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans that are still larvae. This could lead to better growth and survival rates for fry and fingerlings. These findings have significant implications for long-term aquaculture practices in developing low-cost and ecologically acceptable live feed alternatives for growth and survival.