The effect of probiotic and vitamin C as feed supplements on the recovery of operculum deformity in barramundi (Lates calcarifer) seed

Abstract

The main constraints of Barramundi seed production are viral disease infection (VNN and Iridoviruses) and a high incidence of deformity on the operculum. The present study aimed to find a way to recover operculum deformity by supplementation of feed with probiotics and vitamin C. The seeds were reared in tank capacity of 200 L at density of 50 ind/tank. The condition of the deformity was signed by a shortened operculum on one side of the seeds. The treatments applied were (A) the seeds without deformity (normal) were fed on the commercial diet, (B) seeds with deformity fed on the commercial diet, and (C) seeds with deformity fed on the commercial diet supplemented with probiotic of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at the amount of 100 mL/kg of feed and mixed with Vitamin C at the amount of 2 g / kg of feed. Each treatment was 4 replications and reared for 40 days. The result showed that in treatment (A) deformity was 1%; treatment (B) changes to normal was 11 %, and recovery success was 21 % and still deformity was 68%, while in treatment (C), deformity changed to normal was 20 %, recovery success was 14% and deformity was 66 %. Fish with deformities have low genetic variation values.