Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae singly and in combination as probiotic supplements in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerling diets. All the probiotic-supplemented diets resulted in growth higher than the control. Best growth rate, food consumption, and food conversion (P < 0.05) were in the group fed a cocktail of the three bacteria. Feed cost, return on weight gain, and profit margin increased in fish groups fed diets inoculated with probiotics. Supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifiduim, and the three-bacteria cocktail were most effective in eliminating mortality in an A. hydrophila challenge.