Effect of probiotic Bacillus spp. on growth and feed efficiency of common carp, grass carp and bighead larvae fed with nauplii of differentArtemia species

The growth performance of cyprinids larvae (Cyprinuscarpio,Hypophthalmichthysnobilisand Ctenopharyngodonidella) fed with the nauplii fromdifferentArtemiaspecies, including A. parthenogenetica, A. fransiscanaand A. urmiana as well as a probiotic mixture (Bacillus subtilis and B. licheniformis) was investigated. Fish larvae (100±15 mg) were allocated into 54 circular fiberglass tanks filled with 10 liters of water (density of 5 fish per liter) and fed for 4 weeks with the designated diets. At the end of the feeding trial, feed and growth indices [final weight, specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor (CF) and food efficiency] and body composition (crude protein, crude lipid, ash and moisture) were assessed. Significant differences were observed in feed and growth parameters especially in terms of specific growth rate and feed efficiency (P