Enhanced Efficacy of Synbiotics Compared to Antibiotics in Promoting Growth, Intestinal Health, and Immune Response in Stinging Catfish

This study evaluated the comparative efficacy of synbiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics in enhancing the growth performance, intestinal health, hepatic regeneration, and immune response of stinging catfish ( Heteropneustes fossilis ). Over a 45‐day experimental period, fingerlings were fed diets supplemented with antibiotics (Erisen‐Vet or Renamycin), probiotics (Everfresh‐Pro), prebiotics (onion powder), or a synbiotic combination (Everfresh‐Pro + onion powder). The results demonstrated that the T Syn group consistently outperformed all other treatments. Quantitatively, the synbiotic group achieved the highest final weight (15.75 ± 1.77 g) and weight gain (11.75 ± 1.25 g) compared to the control ( T Con ) (4.01 ± 0.44 g weight gain). The specific growth rate (SGR) was significantly higher in T Syn (3.05% day −1 ) than in antibiotic groups, while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was optimized at 0.98 in T Syn versus 1.35 in T Con . Intestinal histomorphology showed marked improvements in the T Syn group, with villus length reaching 368.54 ± 21.52 µm and villus area at 85.93 ± 5.91 mm 2 , significantly exceeding both antibiotic and control values ( p < 0.01). Immune response indicators were similarly enhanced; the total white blood cell (WBC) count in T Syn rose to 11.26 × 10 3 /mm 3 by day 45, compared to 8.45 × 10 3 /mm 3 in the control. Furthermore, mucosal immunity was bolstered in the synbiotic group, which exhibited the highest goblet cell count (84.00 ± 3.00) and widest lamina propria (7.04 ± 0.81 µm). In conclusion, synbiotics not only promote superior growth and feed efficiency but also significantly enhance gut health, hepatic regeneration, and immune profiles. These findings provide strong evidence that synbiotics are a superior, sustainable alternative to antibiotics for the intensive culture of stinging catfish.