National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources

management issues that need to be addressed. However, one measure that might be of assistance is the use of “probiotics”. Probiotics are a cultured product or live microbial feed supplement, which beneficially affects the host by improving its intestinal balance and health of the host4. The first probiotic discovered long time ago was Lactobacillus sp., the lactic acid producing bacteria. They were thought to prevent colonization of the gut by other disease causing bacteria- a process known as competitive exclusion. Presently the range of probiotics extends well beyond the Lactobacillus sp. to include Bacillus sp., Vibrio sp., Pseudomonas, yeasts and algae. Some of the commercial probiotics currently available include Aqualact, Probe-la