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¹ Department of Biology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
² Department of Biology, Madda Walabu University, Bale Robe, Ethiopia
³ Department of Biology, Dambi Dollo University, Dambi Dollo, Ethiopia DOI : 10.4194/AQUAST2725 Viewed : 6 - Downloaded : 3 High early larval mortality hinders African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) aquaculture. This study aimed to identify novel indigenous Ethiopian probiotics to enhance larval growth and survival. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) were isolated from African catfish and Nile tilapia, then screened in vitro for probiotic potential. Selected strains were evaluated in a catfish larval feeding, and associated pathogens and their antibiotic resistance patterns were also assessed. Lactobacillus was the dominant probiotic genus. In vitro, strains showed excellent acid/bile tolerance and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Crucially, host-specific Lactobacillus spp. from African catfish remarkably improved larval growth and survival (up to 78.3%) compared to the control (56.5%) and non-host-specific probiotics. However, widespread resistance to key antibiotics (e.g., penicillin G, kanamycin) was found in both LAB and pathogenic isolates, including Staphylococcus aureus. These findings underscore the considerable potential of indigenous, host-specific probiotics for sustainable African catfish aquaculture, while highlighting the critical need to address emerging antibiotic resistance. Keywords : Antimicrobial activity Antibiotic resistance Gut microbiota Lactobacillus Larviculture