Effects of Pre- and Probiotics on Growth, Survival, Body Composition, and Hematology of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Fry from the Caspian Sea

This study examined the effects of Immunowall (R) prebiotic and Primalac (R) probitic (each with 1.0 and 1.5 g kg(-1) diet, respectively) on common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fry (n= 4200, 10 +/- 0.015 g) from the Caspian Sea. Specific growth rate (SGR), body weight gain (BWG), total length (TL), survival, feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass composition, and hematological parameters were evaluated in triplicate treatments after 8 weeks. BWG, SGR, TL, and survival rate were significantly influenced in the fish fed 1.5 g of mixed Immunowall (R) and Primalac (R) (P<0.05). However, none of the growth factors plus FCR and survival of the fish shoed improvements in treatments with 1.0 g of mixed Immunowall (R) and Primalac (R) compared to the control (P>0.05). The experimental carp fry displayed marked improvements in some of carcass qualities (P<0.05). Also, the fry fed Primalac (R) showed greater white blood cell (WBC) counts than the control group (P<0.05). The positive effects of Primalac (R), and to a lesser extent, Immunowall (R), or their mixture on the parameters examined in the carp fry signify improved growth performance, enhanced body composition, and stimulated fish immune system.