Alteromonas macleodii 0444 and Neptunomonas sp. 0536, two novel probiotics for hatchery-reared Greenshell™ mussel larvae, Perna canaliculus

Antibiotic management of aquacultured animals, such as Greenshell™ mussel (GSM) larvae, Perna canaliculus, is undesirable because of health concerns and political pressures; hence, alternatives are needed. Herein, two novel probiotic bacteria were identified and trialled in a GSM larval rearing hatchery. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis identified the strains as Alteromonas macleodii 0444 and Neptunomonas sp. 0536. Both probiotics were evaluated separately at the Glenhaven Aquaculture Centre hatchery facility during routine larval rearing and when the larvae were challenged with both a high (107 and 106 CFU ml−1) and low (106 and 105 CFU ml−1) pathogenic dose of Vibrio sp. DO1 and V. splendidus respectively. In all experiments, probiotic application improved larval survival significantly when administered prior to pathogen exposure. Across all experiments, larvae that were exposed to the high and low dosages of pathogens averaged 14% and 36% survival respectively on the fourth day following pathogen exposure. The administration of probiotics prior to pathogen challenge resulted in larval survival of 50% and 66% respectively. Non-inoculated control larvae and larvae administered the probiotic alone demonstrated 67% and 79% survival respectively. Neptunomonas sp. 0536 appeared to suppress naturally occurring vibrios in the culture environment of healthy GSM larvae. This is the first report of A. macleodii and Neptunomonas sp. as probiotic bacteria in a large scale production facility.