Effect of live food enriched with the probiotic Spomune©, on the survival and growth of Cambarellus montezumae (Saussure, 1857) under controlled conditions

Abstract

For the present investigation, the effect of a live food enriched with a probiotic was evaluated in 120 juvenile dregs of Cambarellus montezumae species with an average size and weight of 21 ± 2 (mm) and 0.490 ± 0.130 (g) respectively. Throughout the investigation, the organisms were kept in six translucent squared aquariums with 40 L of fresh water, at a temperature of 24 ± 1 °C, with a natural photoperiod and with 20 bowls each. The specimens were fed for 24 weeks with Tubifex tubifex slimeworm inoculated with 1 X 107 CFU/g with the probiotic Spomune© (Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium butyricum). To verify the effect of the probiotic on the organisms, survival, growth (height and weight) as well as their degree of well-being were determined. The results show that the specimens fed with the enriched diet have a 95% survival compared to those fed with the unenriched diet was 48%. On the other hand, the growth showed significant differences between the two treatments (p