Production and Yield of Milkfish Reared in a Pond Using Probiotics

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the potential of using probiotics to enhance milkfish production in ponds. The experiment, spanning 90 days, employed commercially available probiotics applied once a week. Two treatments, each with two replications, were carried out in a 200 sq. meter pond divided into four compartments. Milkfish fingerlings with an initial weight of 20.68 g were stocked at a density of one per sq. meter. Growth performance, water quality, and physicochemical parameters were monitored. The results revealed that milkfish reared with and without probiotics showed comparable growth and production, with no significant differences in final weight, daily weight gain, and survival rate. This finding provides reassurance about the effectiveness of probiotics in maintaining water quality, particularly in controlling ammonia levels. These findings suggest that probiotics can be a valuable tool in milkfish pond culture, allowing for improved growth and water quality management with limited water exchange.