Our study, conducted in the Department of Huila, Colombia, aimed to investigate the effects of Fortcell Feed Aquaculture (probiotics) on the growth, health, and water quality in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Specifically, we evaluated feed efficiency and survival rates by dividing 541,600 Nile tilapia fingerlings, each initially weighing around 4 g, into five groups. Three groups were treated with probiotics, one group served as a control with no additives, and one group used a commercial product. Over 45 days, we collected data on weight gain, survival rates, and the physicochemical properties of the pond water.
The fingerlings in the ponds treated with probiotics showed a notable increase in weight gain compared to both the control group and the group using a commercial product. The daily weight gain for the probiotic-treated groups ranged from 0.876 to 0.899 grams per day, significantly higher than the control group’s 0.830 grams per day and the commercial product group’s 0.844 grams per day. At the end of the trial, the overall final weight was higher for the probiotics group than for both the control and commercial product groups (Figure 1).
On the other hand, one of the critical outcomes of this study was the reduction in mortality rates among the tilapia fingerlings (Figure 2). The groups treated with probiotics experienced significantly lower mortality rates compared to the control and commercial product groups. This can be attributed to the Bacillus species, which exhibit potential antimicrobial activities and an immunostimulant effect. The study also highlighted the positive impact of probiotics on water quality, where the levels of harmful nitrogen compounds (NO2 and NH3) were lower, and the more easily assimilable NH4 was also reduced, suggesting a healthier and more balanced aquatic environment. Probiotics, including Bacillus sp., demonstrate their ability to enhance pond water quality by breaking down organic matter and releasing CO2, which is particularly advantageous during intensive production.