Feed supplementation with quorum quenching probiotics improved growth response, immune response, and resistance in the giant mottled eel, Anguilla marmorata

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feed supplementation with quorum quenching (QQ) probiotic bacteria on growth performance, hematology, immune response, and disease resistance in giant mottled eels. The feed used was supplemented with 45 ± 2.3 g/individual QQ bacteria using the following treatments, namely Bacillus cereus strain B8, Pseudomonas putida strain BPA1, Bacillus cereus strain HPC 576, and control (no QQ). A total of 420 eels (average weight 45 ± 2.3 g/ind.) were randomly reared in 12 open tarpaulin ponds of 2 x 1 x 1 (W x L x D) m and 1000-L volume for 8 weeks. Feed was given three times per day at 5% of the body weight. Water was changed daily at 25%, and shelters were provided using 3-inch diameter PVC pipes. The results showed that the feed containing QQ bacteria improved the growth, hematology, immunity, and disease resistance of the eels compared to the control (P < 0.05). Furthermore, among the QQ bacteria tested, the feed with B. cereus strain HPC 576 had the highest performance in all tested parameters.