This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of fermented feed on the growth performance, health condition and immune response of whiteleg shrimp ( L. vannamei) . Whiteleg shrimp with mean initial weight 0.25 g was obtained from a shrimp hatchery in Ghallioun project, Egypt. Shrimps were fed the experimental diets up to apparent satiety at 8:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 20:00 and 22:00 h for three weeks. The animals (150/m3) were divided in triplicates into two groups; the groups feed on the control diets (40 % CP) and the anther group was feed on 50% of control diet s in addition to fermented feed [ One tonne water , 20 Kilograms of rice bran , 100 Kilograms of Molasses , 100 grams of probiotics (Sanolife PRO-W ® contain Bacillus subtilis was commercially purchased from INVE Company Belgium which contains 1011 CFU/gram used by 80 gm /Hectare in fish culture)].
The results revealed that, there were no significant differences in the water quality parameter between the control and fermented feed shrimp with higher dissolved oxygen and lower total ammonia nitrogen in shrimp that received fermented feed. A higher significant difference was reported in Copepods and Phytoplankton in shrimp that received fermented feed (P<0.05) and lower Total Bacterial Count (cfu/ml) and t otal Vibrio spp. (cfu/ml) in rearing water. The growth performance (Final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio) and survival rate of shrimp received fermented feed was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The control group showed lower lysozyme activity and phenoloxidase compared to shrimp received fermented feed.
In conclusion, using of fermented feed improves water quality, growth performance, health condition and immune response of whiteleg shrimp (L. vannamei).