Effects of dietary humic acid on growth performance, haemato-immunological and physiological responses and resistance of Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss to Yersinia ruckeri

This study investigated the effects of dietary humic acid sodium salt on growth performance, haemato-immunological and physiological responses, and resistance of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss to Yersinia ruckeri. The experimental fish were divided into four groups; three of them were fed with humic acid incorporated diets (0.3% H3, 0.6% H6, 1.2% H12) and an additive free basal diet served as the control. Growth performance and haematological parameters of rainbow trout were not affected by humic acid supplemented diets (p > 0.05). However, dietary humic acid especially with 0.6% incorporation significantly increased stomach pepsin, intestinal trypsin and lipase activities p < 0.05. Following 60 days of feeding trial, fish were challenged with Yersinia ruckeri for 20 days. At the end of the challenge period, significantly higher (p < 0.05) survival rates were found in the 6% humic acid group compared to all other experimental treatment. Thus humic acid might replace antibiotics in diets for rainbow trout to control yersiniosis.