Abstract-based review · 2019
Bacillus-enriched Artemia in sailfin molly feeding
Growth did not differ. Reproductive outcomes, fry survival and intestinal Bacillus counts improved, with lower mortality after bacterial challenge.
Review scope
Abstract-based review. Full methods, complete statistical results and product equivalence have not been appraised. This is research context, not an individual feeding or treatment recommendation.
Study question and design
Sailfin mollies receiving commercial food, unenriched Artemia or Bacillus-enriched Artemia. Artemia cultured with Bacillus subtilis at 100,000 CFU/ml added to culture water daily.
Main findings
Growth did not differ. Reproductive outcomes, fry survival and intestinal Bacillus counts improved, with lower mortality after bacterial challenge.
Limitations and applicability
Culture-water concentration is not a fish-feed dose. The delivery method is specific, and strain identity and trial duration were not established from the abstract.
Ingredients investigated
Direct ingredient investigations
Artemia (brine shrimp)
Direct · sailfin_molly. Sailfin molly in commercial-feed, unenriched-Artemia and Bacillus-enriched-Artemia groups.
Tested form: Unenriched Artemia supplied as food. Dose: Artemia ration not reported in reviewed abstract (Oral feeding of Artemia; ration not reported). Duration: Not reported in reviewed abstract. Comparator: Commercial-feed control and Bacillus-enriched Artemia.
Measured finding: The study included an unenriched-Artemia comparator; growth did not differ between groups. The reported reproduction, fry-survival and challenge findings favoured enriched Artemia, so those benefits must not be attributed to this unenriched arm.
Limitations: Species-specific combined treatment and experimental challenge; strain, sample size and duration are not established in the reviewed abstract. Generic dry-food Bacillus inclusion is a different delivery method.
Multi-ingredient formulations
Bacillus subtilis
Multi ingredient · sailfin_molly. Sailfin molly in commercial-feed, unenriched-Artemia and Bacillus-enriched-Artemia groups.
Tested form: Bacillus subtilis delivered through enriched Artemia. Dose: 1 x 10^5 CFU/mL added to Artemia culture water daily (Culture-water concentration used to enrich Artemia; not a direct fish-food dose). Duration: Not reported in reviewed abstract. Comparator: Commercial-feed control and unenriched Artemia.
Measured finding: Growth did not differ between groups. The enriched-Artemia group showed improved reproductive and fry-survival measures, more intestinal Bacillus and lower challenge mortality. These combined-treatment findings do not isolate the effect of Artemia or Bacillus alone.
Limitations: Species-specific combined treatment and experimental challenge; strain, sample size and duration are not established in the reviewed abstract. Generic dry-food Bacillus inclusion is a different delivery method.
This ingredient was part of a combined formulation; the study does not isolate its contribution.
Artemia (brine shrimp)
Multi ingredient · sailfin_molly. Sailfin molly in commercial-feed, unenriched-Artemia and Bacillus-enriched-Artemia groups.
Tested form: Artemia enriched using Bacillus subtilis culture-water dosing. Dose: 1 x 10^5 CFU/mL Bacillus subtilis added to Artemia culture water daily; fish-food dose not reported (Probiotic concentration in Artemia culture water, not per gram of fish feed; enriched Artemia then fed orally). Duration: Not reported in reviewed abstract. Comparator: Commercial-feed control and unenriched Artemia.
Measured finding: Growth did not differ between groups. The enriched-Artemia group showed improved reproductive and fry-survival measures, more intestinal Bacillus and lower challenge mortality. These combined-treatment findings do not isolate the effect of Artemia or Bacillus alone.
Limitations: Species-specific combined treatment and experimental challenge; strain, sample size and duration are not established in the reviewed abstract. Generic dry-food Bacillus inclusion is a different delivery method.
This ingredient was part of a combined formulation; the study does not isolate its contribution.
Evidence.pet interpretation
Apply this result only within its species, preparation and study conditions. An ingredient listing alone does not establish that a commercial product reproduces the tested intervention.
Funding and conflicts
Not established from the reviewed abstract.
Ingredient references
Artemia (brine shrimp), Bacillus subtilis.
These are research references. The tested form, dose and formulation must be matched before using a result to support a product claim.
Source
Ahmadifard N; Rezaei Aminlooi V; Tukmechi A; Agh N. Evaluation of the Impacts of Long-Term Enriched Artemia with Bacillus subtilis on Growth Performance, Reproduction, Intestinal Microflora, and Resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila of Ornamental Fish Poecilia latipinna. Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins. 2019. DOI: 10.1007/s12602-018-9453-4.
Primary source record (PMID 30097884) · Publisher DOI
Reviewed 2 October 2026 · Next review 2 January 2027.