Effect of Probiotic Supplimentations on the Gut Histoarchitecture of Stinging Catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of probiotics on the gut histology of stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. The experiment was conducted in 15 ponds, each with 0.75 decimal and stocking density were 550 fingerlings/decimal (6.44 ± 0.054 gm) and cultured for 90 days (May to August). Commercially available gut probiotic ZYMETIN, water probiotic pH FIXER and soil probiotic Super PS were used in the experiment. T1 was designed with the recommended dose of Super PS (soil probiotic). T2 was supplemented with the recommended dose of gut probiotic (ZYMETIN). T3 was designed with combined application of Super PS, ZYMETIN and pH FIXER at recommended doses. T4 was designed with the recommended dose of water probiotic (pH FIXER). Only basal feed was applied for T5 (control). Water quality parameters, morphometric measurements, body weight of the experimental fish were measured, and fish gut samples were collected for histological study at fortnightly intervals. The results showed that all water quality parameters in pH FIXER treated ponds were more favorable for fish culture compared with others. In combined probiotic treated groups (T3) histoarchitecture of the gut were almost normal. Less pathological signs were observed in probiotic treated groups (T1, T2, and T4) compared with T5 (control). From analysis of gut revealed that fold length, fold width and epithelial layer thickness were increased significantly (P < 0.05) in combined probiotics treated fish. Fish from T2 and T3 exhibited larger fold length, width and epithelial layer thickness than those of T1, T4, T5 (control). Probiotic addition can improve intestinal structure of H. fossilis which may increase the nutrients absorption in fish. Hence, digestion capacity was increased that ultimately helps to improve the overall health condition of stinging catfish, H. fossilis.