Ecological Indices of Microbes on Gastrointestinal Tract of Ornamental Fishes

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the ecological indices of an apical dominance and diversity rate of bacteria on gastrointestinal (GI) tract of some ornamental fishes. The GI tract bacterial strains were characterized by biochemical methods. Eleven species of bacterial strains were isolated belonging to the Phyla Proteobacteria (45%), Firumicutes (10%) and Actinobacteria (45%). Out of the eleven strains, Aeromonas sp., Micrococcus sp. and Vibrio sp., predominantly occurred in the GI tract. Total viable count of Vibrio metschnikovii (5.93x107 ± 0.2x107 CFU/ml) was significantly higher in Tanichthys albonubes and Micrococcus varians (9.42x102 ± 0.75x102 CFU/ml) was the least in Parachromis managuensis compared to other strains. Ecological indices of diversity and dominance have shown that out of ten ornamental fishes, Tanichthys albonubes has higher dominance of 0.993 and Cichla ocellaris has higher diversity and species richness of 0.509 and 0.806, respectively. The obtained results will create an impact on the aqua environment thereby decreasing an anthropogenic consequence of fishes. In future, the aforesaid positive aspect will be taken into consideration for formulating probiotics from gut microflora which probably will increase the endurance and health of fishes