From Pond to Profit: How Innovative Probiotic Wafers are Transforming Aquaculture in Ecuador

Modern shrimp farming requires efficient production, enhanced biosecurity, and simplified pond management. Traditional powder or tablet probiotics often face operational challenges, including heat sensitivity during feed extrusion and inconsistent intake. This technical article evaluates the application of Sanolife PRO-TAB, an innovative probiotic wafer delivering Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, and Bacillus licheniformis at a minimum concentration of 2 billion CFU/g. Field trials conducted in shrimp facilities in Ecuador and Thailand demonstrated significant biological and economic improvements across multiple life stages. In broodstock management, daily supplementation of 0.4 g of probiotic wafers per female over a 30-day evaluation significantly increased the survival of non-ablated females and raised daily mating rates from 5% to 9%. Consequently, egg production per female grew by 6%, total nauplii output surged by 37%, and overall broodstock profitability rose by 11% while reducing pathogenic bacterial loads in offspring. In pre-growout nursery trials in Ecuador, profit increases ranged between 12% and 43%, reaching up to 54% over conventional farm practices. The active Bacillus strains also persist in fecal matter, assisting in organic matter decomposition and water quality maintenance.