Zeigler launches liquid feeds with proven probiotic protection against Vibrio

USA – Zeigler, a leading global manufacturer of premium animal nutrition products, has introduced a new generation of liquid shrimp hatchery feeds designed to strengthen immunity and improve survival under Vibrio pressure, marking a significant step forward in larval nutrition and disease management for the aquaculture sector.

The company announced the launch of EZ Larva Ultra and EZ Artemia Ultra, enhanced with microencapsulated Bacillus probiotics, as part of its Ultra line of liquid diets for shrimp hatcheries. 

Developed for use in early larval and postlarval stages, the feeds are designed to reduce losses associated with acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) and other Vibrio-related challenges while delivering more consistent hatchery performance.

At the core of the innovation is Zeigler’s cold-process microencapsulation technology, which preserves probiotic viability during feed manufacture and storage. 

This process allows live beneficial bacteria to reach the shrimp gut, where they help suppress pathogenic Vibrio and support immune function. 

According to the company, this approach directly translates into higher and more predictable survival rates, improving hatchery profitability.

Challenge trials demonstrate survival benefits

To validate the performance of the new formulations, Zeigler established a dedicated disease-challenge laboratory capable of running sensitive and repeatable trials with postlarval and juvenile shrimp. 

Using this facility, the company conducted a series of controlled challenge studies to assess protection against AHPND.

In the first trial, shrimp fed EZ Larva Ultra from Zoea 1 to Mysis 3 and EZ Artemia Ultra from Zoea 3 to PL10, at 50% of the standard feeding protocol, achieved 33% higher survival than shrimp fed identical diets without probiotics. 

A second study evaluated the Ultra liquids with probiotics at both 50% and 25% of the protocol. When fed at 50% , survival improved by 34% compared with the non-probiotic control, while even at 25%, survival remained 23% higher. 

These findings confirmed the diets’ ability to significantly improve survival under severe Vibrio challenge.

Commercial validation in Asia

The performance of the Ultra probiotic diets was also tested under commercial hatchery conditions in Asia. In these trials, daily feeding of EZ Larva Ultra from Zoea 2 to Mysis resulted in 7.6% lower mortality when shrimp were challenged at PL7. 

In parallel, replacing 25% of Artemia nauplii with EZ Artemia Ultra reduced mortality by 7.3% when postlarvae were challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus AHPND at 1×10⁴ CFU/mL, and by 12.7% when challenged at 1×10³ CFU/mL.

“By improving larval survival, the Ultra probiotic diets help hatcheries produce more postlarvae each cycle while reducing losses from AHPND and other Vibrio challenges. Higher survival and stronger, healthier PLs translate directly into improved profitability. These innovations underscore Zeigler’s commitment to delivering feeds that improve survival, strengthen immunity, and provide measurable economic value for hatcheries,” the company said.

Zeigler specialises in shrimp and finfish aquaculture feeds alongside pet, zoo and research diets, and said the Ultra line reflects its broader focus on science-backed nutrition solutions. 

The launch comes as shrimp producers globally continue to seek practical tools to mitigate disease risks and stabilise hatchery output.

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